Boujee Blondes
Boujee Blondes is presented by Melissa Clarke and Simone Grace.Join the ladies for girly chats full of fun and laughter - chatting about life, relationships and much more in a comfortable safe place. women empowerment and sisterhood is the sense of belonging that this podcast interprets. the atmosphere hopes to provide a safe place for everyone to go for advice whilst feeling accepted and understood. Melissa and Simone share their own life experiences which entails lots of blissful, loving and embarrassing moments but also mistakes throughout life. Speaking to diverse groups of people from different walks of life on various subjects. A weekly episode not to be missed - every Tuesday on all major podcast platforms. If you would like to contact the girls please email Boujeeblondespodcast@gmail.com
Boujee Blondes
Moving to Dubai - what you need to know
Welcome to the boujee blondes!!
Thinking about relocating to Dubai? We’ve got the ultimate guide for you! From nailing down a job before you move to navigating the high cost of living, we share essential tips for a smooth transition. Learn about leveraging LinkedIn for job opportunities, securing visas, and avoiding potential pitfalls like unpaid salaries and visa issues. We wrap up with some heartwarming stories about finding a supportive work environment and the importance of resilience. Tune in for a comprehensive guide that’s packed with valuable insights and practical advice for making Dubai your new home.
It's the Bougie Blondes podcast with Melissa and Simone, available on Spotify, apple or wherever you get your podcasts. Now let's get bougie. Hi, I'm Melissa. Hi, I'm Simone. Our podcast is serving you, bestie vibes, we are just two country girls talking about all the things we struggle with life and, of course, talking about certain issues that people are afraid to speak about. We give it to you real, while having crack along the way. Remember, these are just our opinions, gals, don't take us too seriously. We're just giving you some best friend advice.
Speaker 2:We, we, jimmy pell melissa coming to the bed melissa is back from her little holiday in paris and she is glowing at the moment, like the products on her face are giving I think now it's a mixture of sweat and and the products.
Speaker 1:These work. These are good products no, they're amazing.
Speaker 2:I need. I'm influenced.
Speaker 1:I will be adding those to my basket yes, if you want, if you want to do sweaty gym session and run, you need these products. You'll see it. You'll see it on my page soon, coming soon, coming soon. Um, yes, so paris was lovely. Um, I'm addicted to the place, like I know some people are like, oh, it's so dirty. But I didn't think it was one bit dirty now, maybe it's just the area I was in. Like it's like anywhere, isn't it? Like there's always dirty.
Speaker 2:Yeah, cities are just like. I mean, most cities in Europe tend to be the same. But what was your accommodation like?
Speaker 1:because I've heard such mixed kind of things about accommodation in Paris yeah, like ours was um, like when you walked in it was like small, but like there was like two bathrooms. It was like a double bed and then they had like another bed, like it was actually such a brilliant location, like, and it was really clean. We got like clean towels every day.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was really good, Like do you know what I mean?
Speaker 1:Yeah, it wasn't like the five star Hilton or anything, but like it was perfect.
Speaker 2:Some people just like to constantly give negative feedback, don't they Like no matter what?
Speaker 1:No, I loved Paris. Now I have to say I definitely would love to go back Like I just love it. A gal's trip pending. Yeah, city of fashion, you know.
Speaker 2:City of just good wine. I would love to go to Paris Fashion Week, like that's up there, oh that is the dream.
Speaker 1:Yeah, was I telling you. I got invited to London Fashion Week Saturday and I couldn't go. No, you're messing. I swear on my life, melissa. I couldn't go. Yep, I got invited to one of the kind of flight from Paris went there no, but this was Saturday, just gone, I just couldn't. I already had like booking, so I couldn't go.
Speaker 1:I was devastated, like devastated there's always next year there's always next year, but like when you get an opportunity to be invited to a London fashion week gig, like, come on, like the tears, the tears were had, the tears were had. Oh my god, I tell you I don't want to talk about it.
Speaker 2:I am heartbroken for you. I won't lie. Yeah, I really am so not next year.
Speaker 1:Next year, it just wasn't meant to be. This year just wasn't meant to be. But did I tell you, I started actually learning French again really because I just want to learn, like different languages. So my first mission is French, because I did French before, like obviously in secondary school. But you know the way you learn French in secondary school you don't really learn. So I just wanted to learn, like I want to learn, french and Spanish.
Speaker 2:That's really interesting. Where are you doing that?
Speaker 1:It's like a course online or there's like an app called Ulingo. It's actually an amazing app. Lingo, it's actually amazing app. Yeah, really really good. Oh, and it's like the amount of languages they do is crazy. There was languages there. I didn't even know there were languages. I'm like sorry, what?
Speaker 2:is this, that's I need to download this oh my god, it's so good.
Speaker 1:Yeah, really good, it's so handy.
Speaker 2:You can never be too educated like too much educated. Sorry on languages. No good to have it like it actually is, so good yeah, it's actually really handy, one of the top ones that I kind of want to russian.
Speaker 1:Really, why russian?
Speaker 2:because it's a load of people, especially in Dubai, like a lot of million billionaires speak, tend to speak Russian. It's a really good network in that kind of industry. Do you know what I mean?
Speaker 1:so I just think it's a very good language to have in general well, you've got to go on the well spanish would be probably the best after english yeah, I think spanish is more like for when I'm on holidays, but I think french is like spoken in a lot of places as well, you know I think, it's very sexy.
Speaker 2:It's very confusing language, though, like I done it in school and, to be honest, like the way to say things backwards and stuff is like for my leave insert. I actually wanted to eat the book.
Speaker 1:I was like no no, do you know what? The way they teach it in school, I just think it's is done wrong. Like the way they do on the Duolingo app. They start you off by doing like just random sentences and then you kind of like learn that way from verbs and plurals, and so it's actually an easier way to learn.
Speaker 2:Yeah it's the same though in every other language, like even Irish, like when you're actually speaking it, like it sounds the same whether it's past or future tense. Do you know what I mean? Like yeah, a present, like it doesn't, it's you still kind of?
Speaker 1:it's still kind of the same you know, and the terrible that we actually like don't use Irish like do you know, isn't it?
Speaker 2:yeah, well, my younger sister, she's five and she's gone to a guelic school, so she's going to be fluent in Irish. I am kind of good at Irish, to be fair, but give us no world there in Irish. I'm going to go home at Christmas and she's just going to be speaking in Gaelic to me and I'm going to be like, sorry, who are you?
Speaker 1:I think it's the way we were, um, we were taught in school though Irish, like I feel like it needs to be brought straight in, like I feel like it needs to be spoken like throughout the whole class, from the minute you hit into baby infants, and then I think we would all be fluent, do you know? Rather than just having sections of Irish, I think the whole curriculum should be taught in Irish, and then your child would pick up on it?
Speaker 2:yeah, because we speak English at home like do you know what I mean? Yeah, do you know, but the way they do it in the school that she's in now, it's like it's Irish throughout the whole day and it's like a half an hour.
Speaker 1:That makes such a difference you know, but look, fill us in on your weekend because I was jealous looking at your Instagram. Sorry, you were like Molly May in the at the fight.
Speaker 2:I won't lie, I just went for the Prosecco.
Speaker 2:I was like look at her honestly went for the Prosecco, but with such good vibes, you know what, when I any fighting match that I've ever, you know, like MMA or UFC or just boxing in general, when it's on the telly or whatever and you're like watching it with your friends or whatever, and I was like, oh my God, no, no, no, no, no, can't look at it, I freak out. I don't like seeing people get hurt, but when you're actually there at a fight, you get so involved in it like you just get so wrapped up, I don't know what it is.
Speaker 2:Maybe it was the bubbles in the Prosecco, I don't know it could have been the bubbles in the Prosecco.
Speaker 1:Give me the bubbles. Give me the bubbles.
Speaker 2:I don't know but it was actually really really good. It was such good vibes and yeah, and what brought?
Speaker 1:what brought you there? Like, what was the first, like what made you all go?
Speaker 2:well, like a few of the people that we know, um they were fighting, so it was kind of an amateurish fight. So there was like there was girls which was yeah, I was like oh my god, that is my worst nightmare. I'm like someone even slapping me or like rubbing at me we would not survive in a boxing ring, like we wouldn't.
Speaker 1:No, no, no, you wouldn't be able to. We'd have too big of eyelashes on, we wouldn't be able to see. It'd just be a disaster. So no, we would not survive the boxing ring at all, absolutely not, especially me.
Speaker 2:Like I could think of nothing worse, if I'm being honest, like I would like to go and like train to get me, but I wouldn't actually like to be in the ring because I feel like it's a very good sport for like high-intensity training.
Speaker 1:But like Well, I wouldn't like to do Like, I'd like to do the intensity training without getting hit. Thank you very much in the face.
Speaker 2:Respectfully don't touch my face.
Speaker 1:Just, respectfully, just don't go near the face, just don't go near the face.
Speaker 2:But like they are so fit boxers, like it's one of the fittest sports in the world to be doing boxing yeah, like I personally, though, like even like Molly and Tommy, just because we're on that topic, I don't think I could be with somebody that that was like in that category in sport, like I, just I don't think I could do it for the fact that you just wouldn't like to see them getting beaten up.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I would be sitting on the edge. I couldn't watch. I don't think I could. If I'm being honest, I'd just be like in a little shell, peeping through, not able for life. Could you actually think of Keith being inside of a boxing ring?
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, it'd be terrifying. I think, though, when you're with any like big sportsman, though like, or like you just, or like you just you really have to be in like a committed, like relationship, because it takes up 99.9 percent of their time training yeah like. It's hard, isn't it to like be that supportive of someone who's that big into sports, like especially?
Speaker 2:because it's not even down to like just them training. It's no nutrition. Nutrition like their food, their meal prep, yeah.
Speaker 1:Like, their lifestyle affects your lifestyle, you know yeah.
Speaker 2:Literally. It's hard. It is hard Like you do wonder, but I feel like when you love someone so much so you just it just comes probably naturally. I don't know.
Speaker 1:Yeah, a hundred percent, like you know, but but yeah, it looks amazing.
Speaker 2:I could genuinely be like for a play to Molly Mae. That's all I say because, nah, not a chance not enough for us.
Speaker 1:Your weekend was busy, busy it.
Speaker 2:It was so busy. I had one of my friend's birthday then on Saturday and then I was like I need sun. You know what People don't understand? They're always like you live the best life. You live in Dubai in the sunshine, like happy go, larry. No, I work in an office Monday to fucking Friday. Like what? Sun do I see the sun sets at 6 30. I'm home in traffic for an hour. All I see is, I'd say, an hour of the sun for Monday what time is your sunset over there earlier than here, like?
Speaker 2:half six, seven, I think it's like quarter seven or something like that but we don't get much. Does the sun set over there Earlier than here? Is it Like half six, seven, I think, it's like quarter to seven or something like that.
Speaker 2:But we don't get much of the sun Okay, like in the evening. But what I do think they should bring in over here, because I think they do it in Spain. It's like they start work really early. I think they start in Spain, like in offices and stuff, like six in the morning, then they finish like three or something like that, so they get like a good bit yeah, they do that a lot don't they?
Speaker 2:yeah, yeah and even yeah, but even at that, I think Spain like are kind of like Irish summers, like the sun doesn't set until like nine half nine, is it?
Speaker 1:yeah, like yeah, it would, yeah I.
Speaker 2:I think, yeah, I'm not 100% sure, but yeah, I wish they brought in that over here because, honestly, this whole coming home in the dark it's like winter from Monday to Friday.
Speaker 1:It drives me mad. It's one of the like. One things that I just can't deal with is dark evenings and dark mornings. It just depresses me yeah, I can't get my head around it and I just don't like it, just don't like it, and that's it you will never do that, but I do think, like this whole clock I can't remember if it goes forward or back it's stupid, like I just think we should have that extra bit of like light in the evening, do you know?
Speaker 2:I don't understand why they do that. It's what they were getting rid of it, but we don't have that here.
Speaker 1:The only country I think that actually does it. Like it's stupid, like like people need a bit of sunlight after the finished work. Do you know what I mean? They'd rather it in the evening than in the morning. Do you know what I mean? It's true, that's Ireland, though we're just always backwards.
Speaker 2:Backwards. We have to be backwards. Country is backwards.
Speaker 1:Backwards.
Speaker 2:Well, I thought Melissa sent me a reel today of the Simpsons.
Speaker 1:Oh, yes, simone, Explain the reel I sent you today oh yes, simone, explain the reel I sent you today.
Speaker 2:Explain it. So the Simpsons was it in 2024?
Speaker 1:was that what was on the heading? Yeah, had Dubai under a flood, basically yeah, like me and Simone have spoken about this before on the podcast about the Simpsons series and everyone's like, oh, it's just coincidence me and Simone are convinced that there's someone in the Simpsons who creates it and knows shit. So everything that they everything that has happened.
Speaker 2:I think the Simpsons are the government. Basically they're the what government? I think they're aliens.
Speaker 1:I think they're connected to the aliens. The government are aliens so they had in 2015 that basically Dubai was under floods. They had loads of other basically Dubai was under floods. They had loads of other situations like that are after happening. We should probably put the podcast or this little reel up on our stories. They had that Twitter becomes X in 2023. And then in 1998, they had the I don't know what this one is. Oh, remember this big yoke with the watermelons, that they're all like rubbery. Do you remember that?
Speaker 2:yeah, yeah, so they've predicted that like and I know you can say some things are coincidence, but like- it's not, though I don't think the whole, even donald trump being president, like how, yeah, how do they predict?
Speaker 1:that they predicted the apple vision. Um, now, this is the one they actually predicted the balenciaga balenciaga runway dress, and that was in 2023. Runway back in like 2014, like mental, like just crazy stuff, like the madonna concert in 2024, like I'm sorry, but we just can't get over it yeah, no, we're, there's something that we don't know it is freaky yeah it is.
Speaker 2:It terrifies me even the dome you know, like in the movie, and they're like it's a dome that we live in. Yeah, like are they trying to secretly tell?
Speaker 1:us what they say, that that basically, like we're meant to be a mirror of our, of our like higher selves. So there's like two worlds and we're just living in parallel universes to one other. So that's why they say, like when you have deja vu, it's actually your other parallel universe. Kind of the veil is broken and it's kind of coming through, which it's all about quantum physics and it just blows my mind.
Speaker 2:Yeah no, I'm not here for it, if I'm being honest, because what happens is I get so wrapped up and deep in thought on this that I can't sleep at night. And I'm going on to YouTube, I'm going on to Google and I'm like my brain is going 90, it's doing backflips in bed.
Speaker 1:I'm like I can't it does like you get yourself down a rabbit hole. I actually seen. I'll actually send them to you, but there was like top five um documentaries that you need to look on Netflixflix about um, just about basically how we're all being controlled and stuff and conspiracy theories, so I think you'd like them as well.
Speaker 2:Okay, harry, though when you actually think about it? Like everything we do, we're being watched everything everything calls like, even when you're walking down the street. Cctv like everything, like it's just in control, yeah, literally, and you know what we're this is for another episode now, because this is just. This is just gonna go yeah, this is what happens when we get in conversations about, about conspiracy theories.
Speaker 1:This is what happens.
Speaker 2:The podcast turns into one big conspiracy yeah, it's like making sense, just breathe.
Speaker 1:Melissa and simone are here to listen, so, for this week's dilemma actually ties into our topic of the week, so it came in just in time. So we have, hey, bougie blondes. I think I'm having a mid-20s crisis, early 20s, I might say. I'm in a new relationship. We have been together eight months, but I've previously known each other before this. He is absolutely amazing and I'm so lucky. Recently I have this intuition to move away. I feel that something is missing in my life, but I don't know what. I have a great job, new, amazing boyfriend, financially comfortable. I love all my friends and family. I can't explain it. I think I don't belong here. My boyfriend has expressed his thoughts that he has no intention of traveling. What do I do? Do I follow my gut or am I being ungrateful?
Speaker 2:you know what? The one thing I will say is if you're constantly thinking about something and it's constantly playing in your mind, go and do it, because life is too short and what's meant for you won't ever pass you by, as I always say. And if he loves you and you know he wants to make that move with you, then great, have a little chat to him, see how he feels about it. Maybe he might be under the impression that he wants to travel as well. Um, yeah, if it, if you only go for a month or two months, if you just can't settle, then you can always come home like, do you know what I mean? Like it's not the end of the world. If you know things don't work out.
Speaker 2:I know many people that move abroad and they last two weeks, or they last a year, or they may stay there for the rest of their life. So, so, like, just take the risk. What have you got to lose? Do you know what I mean? Like it's not as if you can never come home. Like there's always going to be jobs. Your family and friends aren't going anywhere.
Speaker 1:I think there's two scenarios that can happen. Number one you go and you absolutely love it. And number two you're not going to love it, but would you rather go? Even if you do hate it? At least you know you tried. There is nothing worse. I feel that if you got on in your life and you're constantly thinking about what, if so, it's better to be try and fail than not try at all. Yeah, and I think there's a reason why you keep getting like thoughts oh, it is your intuition that's maybe wanting you to go there for a reason. Now, it is awkward if she's in a new relationship and he wants to go, but you kind of have to decide. If he doesn't want to go, if you're willing to take that chance and I do feel like if it's meant to be, it'll be brought back together. Yeah, no, definitely, and I don't think you should really hold off on your intuition for a man or anyone really.
Speaker 2:No.
Speaker 2:The universe works in weird mysterious it does and even if he does and I feel like if he turns around and says he doesn't want to go, and if it's still in the back of your head, something might not saying it will, but it might separate you for a bit and then you can go and explore and do your thing and then, if you're meant to be, the universe will bring you back together. But yeah, I agree, all goes well and he might want to make that jump with you, like if he really loves you, he'll kind of do anything for you. Because I know if I had a partner and if they wanted to do that like I would take the risk. You know what I mean. Like you kind of, yeah, you love someone.
Speaker 1:You kind of you tend to agree like I think and go. I think if you, if you're, if is a really committed, the other person would go and try it. So I think it'll be a test of the relationship to see if it's like actually real, um, but that's not saying that if he doesn't go it's not real but it'll. If it is, it'll bring us back together. You're just kind of on the wrong paths maybe at this time, do you know? Yeah, well, I think you should follow your intuition. I don't think you're being ungrateful one bit, um, I think you're just a bit confused, like you know. Maybe you're just you think you're ungrateful just because you're wanting to go and he's not.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, yeah, no, you're definitely not ungrateful, like I don't know that in the slightest, if I'm being honest, because I just always remember my mom even saying to me growing up oh, like I regret trying it out, like just going abroad and trying it out when I was younger, when I had the time to do it, and she was like don't get me wrong, you're the best things that ever happened to me, but it's always in the back of my head, like you can know.
Speaker 2:like now she's like going like my parents go on holidays numpty times of the year, but like it's not the same. It's like I feel like you might like if you have it in your system. Like some people don't want to do it, like some people are quite happy to stay at home.
Speaker 2:Do you know what I mean? That's it. Yeah, like happy to go on their holidays every year, and that's completely fine, do you know? But if you feel like that, you really want to try this out while you're young, do it just take the risk.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I agree. I think that I feel like thoughts come into our head like our little things is our intuition, and I feel like if she ignores it, the universe is gonna be louder and send her there, for you know, I mean, something dramatic will happen that'll push her there anyway. Yeah, so I think, just go for it. So, yeah, I hope that helps. Hope that helped you, girl. So for this week's topic, which actually tied into our dilemma, we have Dubai 101. Simone is going to share all her tips if you are thinking of moving to Dubai, things that she learned from mistakes, and she's going to share them all with you.
Speaker 1:Yes, because Dubai has gone so popular for people moving over now and it really has like, and I feel like it's like the new Australia, so yeah, so what would be, what would be like your top five tips? We'll start at number one, the first thing you should do before you even consider a move over, if you were you're. If you were yourself now looking back, what would you change, or what?
Speaker 2:so the one thing I will say is everyone is going to be completely different. Yeah, because it's all going to be down to the job position that you're coming over for or the reason behind your relocating in general. Yeah, dubai is a very expensive place. Okay, but your salary in your jobs like hopefully, will you know it'll stand to you, like you know you'll be able to balance it out. But, yeah, make sure you have money and good savings behind you when looking to relocate here. Don't think that you can just come over and kind of sit around for a month or two months and with just minimum savings and look for a job um, it's like that anything can happen, like can't it like yeah, exactly anything at all can happen like you get sick, anything but the other thing I will say is make sure that you'll have a job before you come here In my
Speaker 2:opinion. Go on LinkedIn, have a look into, like recruiters, and what kind of job opportunities they are for you and what fits your niche. Don't just automatically jump into a job just to get a visa, because in Dubai you can get a freelance visa, like if, if you have your own company or whatever it may be but if you're getting a job, basically they have to do the visa for you. It's illegal, they don't and your insurance needs to come under that also. Um, so make sure you kind of look into doing all that kind of stuff did you have a job set up before you went out, or did you just go out?
Speaker 2:have a job set up before you went out, or did you just go?
Speaker 2:out, so I basically had a good bit of savings behind me. Um, and I came out here I was after applying for a couple of jobs. Um, I'd say about five got back to me. That's the worst thing when you're not in the, in the country itself, because they tend to kind of say to you okay, come in tomorrow for an interview, and because jobs are so on high demand over here like they can replace you the following day because everybody wants a piece of the cake yeah like it's so quick, like everyone just just wants a job, everyone wants to read okay here.
Speaker 2:So like they know if they get rid of you in the morning, like they'll have someone to replace you straight away. So that's why I always say to people make sure it's something that you want to do, like don't just jump in for the bare minimum, like make sure it's something that you really want to do, because I regret there's a lot of things when I look back that I wish I knew, but I came over here oblivious to the surroundings of what it was actually going to be. Do you know that kind of way? Yeah, and then when it comes to like accommodation and stuff like that, like oh, you had hardship, but you're a couple of accommodation like it can.
Speaker 2:It can be very tough, like it actually can because if you're not signed into a one-year lease, like, they'll up and down the price per month and I mean it goes skyrocket from like.
Speaker 1:So this is if you're not in like in a one-year lease, they can alter the price every month. Is that what you're saying? Yeah, if you're not.
Speaker 2:So if you're doing monthly or if you're or if you're doing checks to get me, like some people do, like every three months they pay, so they're tied into a contract, but it all depends as well, like, but um, a lot of people ask me kind of what apps to use like, or what websites to use, so property finder or debizzle or something like that. Now there's a lot of like group chats that you can go into, like Brits in Dubai, irish in Dubai or um, the ATB like, and if you want to like you know, share accommodation with girls, whatever it may be like, yeah, you know it will like these. These are all kind of things that you find out when you're here like a long time. Um, but I do feel like the English and Irish community out here is very strong and everybody wants to see everyone succeed and, you know, be successful like they are very helpful yeah, and do they require big deposits for, like your accommodation before you go in?
Speaker 2:yeah, they do they do they do so, that's why I always say like you know, if, if you are thinking to relocate, just make sure that you have all the kind of upfront costs for them, because yeah, look for that like if you're if you're doing like monthly contracts or whatever, and you tend to stay for the year like they will up it, like when it's peak season, like it goes and for your deposits?
Speaker 1:does that like cover like uh, like one or two months rent in advance, or is it a thing where you get it back at the end, or what way does it work?
Speaker 2:so there's a deposit, obviously, for the apartment or the villa or the house, whatever it may be, um, for the property itself, and then you need to pay an agency fee. So that's where real estate comes into it a lot of people always ask me about okay, obviously I kind of done it for a while, um, but well, I actually didn't do real estate, but I was kind of in the works of it but, um, basically there's a deposit that you pay for the property. You will get that back when you leave, okay, but there's an agency fee then that you need to pay the agent. That's how agents get their money, because they're on commission only. Okay, so, like, if they don't get that fee, then they don't have a salary, right, I get you, so you don't get that back. So the agency fee is quite high as well.
Speaker 2:Okay so you just need to think of that. But the one thing that's really good over here is at home, like all your bills are paid separately, right, okay, in most scenarios, if you're going through like an agent or whatever it may be, it's in your, your contract, if that makes sense. Okay, right, if you're paying on a monthly basis, the DWA is involved and that's your electricity, your gas, your internet, like it's all combined in like your rent and your bills, okay, so when you're paying, when you're, when you're paying, like your rent that covers your dwaz, that was called as well like everything just comes out once yeah, okay, that's so, it's really good, yeah, it is um, that's really kind of a stressful sally, like I would be
Speaker 2:yeah to pay in all these different things. So yeah, Okay.
Speaker 1:And is it hard to get a visa? What's the?
Speaker 2:process like to get a visa. Basically if the one advice I will give if you relocate and you join a company, you can check to see if they have applied for your visa. Okay, if they have not applied for your visa in the first two weeks of you joining that position, get your bags and go, because they ain't gonna do it yeah, gonna do it.
Speaker 2:It's gonna keep prolonging, prolonging, prolonging, and then you'll get basically a fine overstaying fines are good and you'll either have to leave the country or go to I don't know, kind of do a border run, as they say, um. But if I'm being honest, a lot of people have this issue. I've never outspoken about it on any social media platform before, so I'm going to fill you all in on a little something yes, you had a bit of a bit of an issue. Yes, a big issue actually, a big issue, a very stressful issue yeah.
Speaker 2:So when I moved here first, obviously I got a job, it was fine. Um, then I got this opportunity to move to a different company, so I took the pledge, I went or whatever. Then they sorted out my visa, they done everything for me or whatever. Really enjoyed it. Happy go, larry. Then I got introduced to someone involved in like a big business dealership and look like the best thing since sliced pan got basically sold. The sun, the moon, the stars yeah, so maybe me which over here you need to be very careful when it comes to people because they will literally like bleed your dry, tell you what you want to hear as well, isn't it like, literally, like, oh my god.
Speaker 2:I've never, ever seen anything like it in my life, but it I've heard many, many, many cases of this happening to people, so it's not just me, yeah it's happened to hundreds of people, is it yeah?
Speaker 2:so this company that I was working for I was doing social media marketing and managing for, basically, I joined the company and was told that my visa would be processed in two weeks. I said okay, no problem. He said when can you start? I said I can start in two weeks, I just need to give him my notice. Happy go. Larry Started the company.
Speaker 2:First few weeks went by. I was like hold on a minute, like where's my visa? What's going on? He was like, oh no, it's coming. We've done the process of it, like everything's okay. And I was like, well, I haven't done my medical when I joined the company before this, like I my medical within a week. Do you know? Things start, kind of. So then I was kind of like no, I have faith in them. Like you know, it'll happen. Yeah, um, got paid that month. It was fine. A month went by. They brought me on a visa, run a border run, basically, and I was like where's my visa? What is going on? Like what is actually going on here? He was like, oh no, we just have a little bit of an issue going on at the minute. Like we'll do it anyway.
Speaker 2:Long story short, they did not do my visa for me when I was working in that company. They brought me on three visa runs. I'd overstayed fines, I had numpty things going wrong, owe me a lot of money because basically I was not in a contract with that company, because they never done a visa for me. So basically the United Arab Emirates didn't see me down as an employee of their country wow, so I would not be entitled to. I had, like, I signed a contract on, like an email or whatever. That's literally the only thing that I had. Um, but anyway, it was November. November I was.
Speaker 2:I was going home in oct or not october, what am I saying? December, and it was christmas time or whatever, and I was stressing like christmas presents to get. I had bills to pay, I had my rent to pay, whatever it may be. My salary was late, two weeks late. You get paid monthly in dubai, by the way. Um, everything is monthly basis. My salary was late. They gave me half the salary for that month. They said the rest of the salary was coming. Didn't get it. Then I went home at Christmas. They told me I'd have to work on Christmas period, basically from home in Ireland, come back to the country, didn't get paid that month stayed working there because I was kind of freaking out because they told me my visa was in process.
Speaker 1:Still me gullible yeah, they kind of like they kept you. They kept you on a string where they're like they weren't paying you, but then they kind of had like, oh well so basically, when you like, you think the money is coming.
Speaker 2:So if you leave, then you're like yeah I'm gonna get paid basically yeah, that's what exactly they.
Speaker 1:Just they were manipulating you like, do you know?
Speaker 2:what I mean 100 percent. It was really stressful for you like it was so stressful and I've never spoken this. Obviously, my parents, my friends, my friends know, to get me, but it's so stressful, like you have no idea, like that's why, honestly, I feel like that's how I ended up in hospital at the time. Yeah, so that's how.
Speaker 1:I think that was like the final straw for you, though, when you ended up in hospital and you realised you didn't have any insurance?
Speaker 2:Yeah, but it's not even that. It's not even that. It's how would they like? I call a fake money man, because for somebody to do that to somebody, knowing they're out here trying to make a living on their own, yes, or whatever it may be, or trying and saying this, that and the other, like, bigging themselves up, like, or whatever, and not paying staff, like that should not be allowed at all.
Speaker 2:So it's just I don't understand how people have like the balls to do that to people like yeah, and going around with the head held high like, yeah, you know, but like it wasn't just me, there was other staff. The same thing that was after happened. They left the company. I obviously left. I didn't care about the money. In the end I got a new job. I'm still in that position six, seven, six, seven months later and you're really happy in your new job.
Speaker 1:Like yeah, I mean, it's amazing.
Speaker 2:Like when you work for a company and how you've they treat you and how you feel like so secured mentally, physically and emotionally like you just feel like a completely new person, but even like you.
Speaker 1:Compared to like last year to now, the difference. I even see how much more happy you are now and secure in your new job way more relaxed but the way they were treating in the, in the old job, I was like, oh my god, like it. Just it was so cruel, do you know what I mean? And then, and as well isn't it that you're. If your visa isn't actually gone through, you don't have health insurance, isn't that?
Speaker 2:no, not the case yeah, so the hospital bill was skyrocket yeah, and you didn't know this. Like you thought you had health insurance when you went into hospital yeah, so like it is like you do need to be really, really careful, um, but look, I'm not saying that's gonna happen, um, just make sure like it is nice to be aware of these things.
Speaker 1:I think if people are traveling out there to like to be prepared that things like this can happen and just to have your wits about you the whole time, because there is a lot of people and not just in Dubai, anywhere in the fucking world that I feel like when you go to any country they do sometimes maybe might take advantage because you're new and you're vulnerable and you do want to believe everything. So it's not just a boy, it's anywhere in the world, do you?
Speaker 2:know what I mean.
Speaker 2:So it's literally anywhere and you know what it's not even. It's not the country, like I'll put my hand on my heart and say that one individual, it's. It's the people. Like people are some scammers. They're cowboys. They will do anything like flying off on holidays, not paying your staff, going on numerous holidays every weekend or during the week, whatever it may be, and going on private jets and this, that and the other and not paying your staff. Like this is what we're dealing with. But like there was so, like I was even saying to my parents. I was like no, like my money is coming. Like they, they were telling me two months after I left the company that I was still going to get my money yeah, he really was like I was like what?
Speaker 2:now I'm just, I'm not even going to tell you how much I am owed, because it's not going to happen. It's not going to happen and I will make sure that it will never, ever, ever happen me again, because I don't know who people think people are, because nobody in the world works for free nobody, no and you know what, though it happened for a reason because if it didn't happen, you wouldn't be in this new job that you absolutely love you know what I mean, like I do.
Speaker 1:I do think things happen for a reason and sometimes, like life throws us, lessons are shit, but sometimes they're for our own benefit as well, yeah, but but you know what I think?
Speaker 2:why? Maybe this happened to me because I'm the sort of person that always sees the good in everybody. Okay, I'm very have my wits about me when it comes to people. But then in the back of my head I'm like just give people a chance maybe. Maybe they're actually good people. But not everybody is like you and not everyone has the same mindset or whatever, the same heart.
Speaker 2:So yeah you just need to be very careful with who you come into contact with. It doesn't even matter about how many people they know or who they know in the industry or who they're friends with, because at the end of the day, if they're a bad egg, they're a bad egg and 100 it always. It always shows eventually it really does, it does.
Speaker 1:The mask comes off it does like, and sometimes it takes a while to learn these lessons. But people's true colors do come true, you know definitely but anyway, that's the negative, but there's so many positives.
Speaker 2:There is so many positives, believe me so many. Um, it's probably one of the best decisions I've made in my life. I'm not sure how long I'm gonna stay here, I'm not sure do you know, like, but as of now, I'm very happy and content. The country itself is super safe, it's. I've heard this like so safe.
Speaker 2:Everyone says this anyone who I come across here always seems to be happy, energetic. Bigging people up wants you to be successful. Most people, if you're in a job, want you to like be the best you can possibly be. Do you get me like they'll constantly promote you. They'll do you know, because at the end of the day, like it's a country where you can actually be. I know it sounds very cliche, but you can do anything you want. They give people a chance you know that kind of way like back at home.
Speaker 2:It's a little bit different, I think. But here I feel like if you really want to make something happen, or if you really want to have a successful life, it can happen, but you just you can't give up so easily. And I think that's where some people tend to go a little bit wrong. They tend to, like a lot of people were saying oh my god, yeah like, how did you last that long and be that stressed or whatever?
Speaker 2:because I was like, if it doesn't kill me, it's going to make me stronger. And it's up to you to kind of keep pushing. Like in life, you know you're going to get knockdowns, you're you're going to get, like you know, things trying left, right and center at you, but it's up to you to kind of fight through it and I think that's what makes you to be the person you are. But yeah, like there's so many of what other questions would you like to know, melissa, for our listeners?
Speaker 1:so do? Do you have to have a qualification going out there or can you go out and kind of like work your way up in the industry, in any industry or what? Like I know, teachers are different now because they go out like obviously in different roles and stuff. But say someone wants to get into like marketing stuff, like would there be like opportunities for them like to kind of work their way up to the ladder?
Speaker 2:um, you kind of would need like a basic one, like you need yeah, you need a qualification, like you do. Um, salaries vary, if I'm being honest. Like it can be really like really really low to like not being able to survive, basically, and then it can go like jump up, skyrocket, like it all depends. So that's why I always say like to people if they are wanting to relocate, like linkedin is going to be your best friend, like it really is, like when it comes to before you, before you go out to dubai, your main thing is, like go on to linkedin, reach out as many people as you possibly can before you even enter the country.
Speaker 2:Like, yeah, literally in my opinion. But, like I said previously, like most people that apply for jobs, before they come out here like, okay, you're better off to be here to get me, like, apply for the jobs, but make sure that, like you have like a heap when I mean a heap of of options do, but don't just jump to the first one that you get, because you can negotiate with your salary as well yeah, so you know your main thing is like make sure you have a lot of savings going out to allow for, obviously, mishaps and stuff.
Speaker 1:Make sure a question actually do you, can you do everything through an agency? Like in a little bit of australia, everyone goes to an agency and they nearly help find you jobs no, so it's more like how will I explain it?
Speaker 2:it's like recruiters, so like there's going to be different, yeah, there's going to be different age agencies out here. Um, that's why I always like say to people like LinkedIn, like honestly, like back at home, I didn't really have a notion about it until I came here and it's like it's really really big here. And another thing everything is done through WhatsApp yeah, that's actually mad.
Speaker 1:You were saying like everything's done through whatsapp honestly like it's the weirdest thing ever.
Speaker 2:Like absolutely everything my shopping, like groups, like everything, like taxis, like everything. It's just it's whatsapp.
Speaker 1:It's weird, like if I want toilet roll okay, I just I still can't get over this like you just whatsapp someone and bring your fucking toilet roll no, so it's basically a supermarket, but there's different apps okay and this is why I love this country so much.
Speaker 2:Because I don't. Because it's so hot here. You're not going to carry like 16 shopping bags home from the supermarket. See.
Speaker 1:I love this like.
Speaker 2:So everything like if I want dry shampoo or shampoo like it just gets delivered to your door oh, like that's just the dream I text Simone, like before we come on to podcast.
Speaker 1:I was like what time are we doing that? Like I need to rush you quickly run in and do my shopping. I was like sweating, rushing to my shop and to rush back, like I just need someone to like just be like that, just text and be like yeah, I need that, thank you, do you know? I mean, now I know we can get delivery services, but like to take about three to fucking five pending days to get here.
Speaker 2:Yeah, like honestly, literally, like it's a, but you know what, when I come home, then I'm like I want something so stupid. I'm like I can't even go on to deliver our cream. Yeah, to get it like, yeah we're spoiled here.
Speaker 1:That's what I say yeah, like one of the girls said this to me, when they move back they really struggle about like like impatience, because they're so used to getting everything so quickly and efficiently in Dubai that when they come back to Ireland they're like, why is it so slow? Like you know, because they're so used to how efficient everything is in Dubai, like even in restaurants. She's like sometimes I even find myself being a bit like not rude to staff, but just like, uh, why is my food so slow?
Speaker 2:because I'm so used to everything so quick in dubai yeah, no it is it's, it's brilliant and, like I'll say it again, it's so safe, like it's a safety for me.
Speaker 1:It really is, yeah everyone says that it's like so safe and there's no crime, like you know. I mean yeah, that's, that's been neat, especially for a woman, like it's hard enough being a woman without having you know. I mean yeah. So yeah, the top things are hot things. To round it up, give us our points of the top things for people to make sure that your job processes your visa.
Speaker 2:If you're not doing a freelance, that is within two or three weeks. Um, when it comes to obviously looking for an apartment or stuff like that, make sure you're down a true, a legitimate company, because I actually didn't mention this, but a lot of people can get scammed as well. Um, just make sure that you're kind of set up before you come. Most of the time, if I'm being honest, like you, hear people moving here like, like I did, but it's, it can be, it can get messy and it can become very stressful.
Speaker 2:So, if you're just looking for an easy life and a happy life, when you come here to be able to enjoy it, make sure. Literally the only three things that you actually genuinely need to worry about is your savings when you come first, because you can blow money here. Like the minute you walk outside the door it goes like, honestly, it's, it's so hard, um, to just well, it's not hard, it's just so easy spend it. You know that kind of yeah, yeah, because there's so many things to do over here, but yeah, so saving obviously your visa yeah uh, health insurance, which should be covered by your visa, um, and what else.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, accommodation. Make sure you have all that prepped before you go. That's really, that's really. It like nearly might move out my science this morning. Everything else just comes so naturally. If I'm being honest, like it's, it's really really not a horrible place to live, only for, like you know, you miss like I feel like everything.
Speaker 1:everyone says that, though the first year moving to dubai or anywhere is gonna be the hardest the same as australia, like everything's hard for the first year, until you get your wits about you and get used to the culture and get used to the way how things go. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, that's not for everyone. Yeah, if life was easy, we wouldn't be doing that thing, exactly, exactly. So for our game of the week, we have this or that. Are you ready, shimon Shimon? Go for. Are you ready, simone, simone, go for it. That sounds real American, like Simone Shimona. Hee, hee, shimona, hee hee. Right. Would you rather? Would you rather accidentally send a naughty picture to your father by mistake, or your boss?
Speaker 1:my boss, I just get another job you'd have to send to your boss, my boss, I just get another job you'd have to send it to your boss like you'd die, but you'd rather send it to your boss would you rather not be able to taste or not be able to see colours? This is a difficult one. Like I want to see colours. Like, but I also want to taste food.
Speaker 2:But I think, like I want to see colours like, but I also want to taste food, but I think Taste.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I do. I think it's very Like. I like colours, like in my life.
Speaker 2:Yeah, like In a very Kind of dull world.
Speaker 1:Yeah, at least with like Not being able to taste, you can kind of just Like survive least with like not being able to taste you can kind of just like survive on food, like yeah, you know, I think I'd pick that as well. Would you rather lose your sight or your memories? This is a tough one, oh my god, both are my worst nightmare.
Speaker 2:I'm not answering that question because I'm not answering my life she's refusing to answer, and that is it. I promise you.
Speaker 1:That is my, they're my worst fears but like it is a tough one because you actually can't pick, like you don't want to lose your memories, but you don't want to fucking lose your sight either, like yeah, no, no, no, she's not, she's refusing. No, I'm not jinxing myself would you rather have universal respect or unlimited power?
Speaker 2:universal respect. Yeah, but then again, if you have power you'd make people respect you.
Speaker 1:That's what I'm thinking, simone. We can like manipulate them a bit, you know? I mean, I feel like I have a lot.
Speaker 2:Everyone respects it, so yeah, yeah, power okay, last one.
Speaker 1:Would you rather have a personal maid or a personal chef? I was thinking about this and I I honestly don't know. I need both.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I do, but a maid makes life so much easier.
Speaker 1:I know, because I think I'm so used to cooking that like, yeah, I think a maid and to be honest, I don't know what it is, but I'm so picky when it comes to like little things that go into my food.
Speaker 2:Yeah same, I have ibs, so like it just. It doesn't end well for us when someone else no, anything out my anything out of my routine.
Speaker 1:I'm like swelled like there's just. I just can't. My gut issues are just too sensitive. Sensitive to energy, sensitive to food. Sensitive people looking at me. Sensitive to food, sensitive to people looking at me. We're sensitive to air. Sensitive to life.
Speaker 2:So, on this week's affirmation we have, my intentional actions are bringing me closer to my goals.
Speaker 1:Yes, bitch, love that, Love that. I need that this week. Week need all the positive vibes, all the good energy get rid of toxicity, all the positive vibes. Well, thank you so much, everyone for tuning in for another little little sit down episode of me and Simone and make sure that you follow us on Spotify, our podcast and our Instagram, and you can email us at thebougieblondespodcast at gmailcom or send us a DM and we will chat to you next week. Chat to you next week. Bye.
