World's Friendliest Countries - UAE most "unfriendly"

[Wingsofprayer]

"Canada is the most welcoming; almost 95% of respondents to HSBC Bank International's Expat Exploreer Survey, released today, said they have made friends with locals.

In Germany (http://topics.forbes.com/germany), 92% were so lucky and in Australia 91% befriended those living there.

The United Arab Emirates (http://www.forbes.com/2008/12/09/relocate-world-countries-forbeslife-cx_ds_1210friendly_slide_15.html?thisSpeed=30000) was found to be the most difficult for expats; only 54% of those surveyed said they'd made friends with locals."

World's Friendliest Countries - Forbes.com (http://www.forbes.com/2008/12/09/relocate-world-countries-employment08-forbeslife-cx_ds_1210friendly.html)

[kingoftheslipstream]

You'll have to stop playing tennis with the wrong people... :E

[Trader]

Not quite a fair assesment since the local population in Dubai amounts to less then 20% of the total population while everywhere else the locals make up a majority.

[Schibulsky]

If you do a survey about the people you want to make friends with....I really doubt the Emiratis will make a top 10 position anyway.
So you can't blame them as it's a mutual feeling.
And being an "unworthy infidel" does not help as well!
We came for the money, thats it!!

[BladePilot]

What sort of drivel is this? Locals in Abu Dhabi are in the minority and the majority of expats are in subservient positions and would never see locals as friends but only as employer or master.
Many of those in the expat 'elite' (the high wage earners) are only there to make the dosh and socialise with other expat 'elite' on the golf course or one of the many expat clubs and they have little or no desire to make friends with locals, sad but true. What group did the survey focus on?
I love Abu Dhabi, have worked and lived there for many years and find the locals that I know to be some of the most hospitable and friendly folks I have ever met in my travels around the world.

[Panama Jack]

I love this image from the article:

http://images.forbes.com/media/2008/12/09/friendlycountries_01.jpg


A different spin from Emirates' advertising campaign. :)