Calling Agent Durex, calling Agent Durex, check, check, can you hear me? How can there be bad reception in such an international metropolis?
United Arab Emirates, Dubai—a world-famous hotspot. Coincidentally, just like London, it's a monarchy. But while London stands for classical capitalism, Dubai is all about modern hedonism. Though it's called the desert pearl and the trading capital, that's hardly what made it famous.
There's only one reason it's famous—money! Ridiculous money! Shameless money! Money that nearly breaks the sky!
Luxury cars, luxury homes, luxury hotels, luxury villas—the word 'luxury' is basically Dubai's main street. Need police cars for patrol? No problem, BMWs and Mercedes all the way, courtesy of the government. Need a new house for your wedding? No problem, mansions in the suburbs, all government-issued. International friends want to show off? No problem, Burj Al Arab with the fanciest suites, government ready to rip you off. The king wants to show off too? No problem, Burj Khalifa pierces the clouds at over 800 meters—world's number one!
What? Americans want to build something taller than Burj Khalifa? Ha! Oh, Americans, you're just too naive. Our Dubai king says he'll leave space at the top just for another pole. However long you want to make yours, we'll just stick a longer one up there—outdo you every time!
And that's not even mentioning pet lions and crocodiles, supercars everywhere, luxury cars left abandoned, and those palm islands with mega-mansions. Old news! As for stories about some guy begging on Dubai's streets and becoming a millionaire in three months, those are all over the internet.
But no matter what outsiders say or how much hype there is, all you ever see is the shiny, polished side.
Dubai's wealth is always a private thing for locals. In reality, outsiders don't exactly live in misery, but it's not much better. Locals and foreigners get wildly different wages and benefits. Same job at the front desk, but a local girl's monthly salary is several times a foreigner's annual pay.
Coca-Cola once ran an ad: the company set up phone booths on the street, and anyone with a Coke bottle cap could use it as a coin for a few minutes of international calls. Grimy migrant workers clutching bottle caps, smiling with gratitude—great ad effect. And where was it filmed? Dubai, of course.
So, even though this golden city in the desert is a melting pot, its wealth, luxury, and generosity are always reserved for the few locals.