FEATURE STORY

The funny little things

There is no denying the fact that the expatriates in Dubai are the most confused of all as their culture has become a mix of both their origin and one existing in Dubai. People who have spent half of their lives in their home country and the later half in here strive to keep their culture alive by keeping it in practice. It is almost like they refuse to compromise the lessons that they have learned back home and change their habits even if it means much more comfort and convenience.

For them, it is the only way of having things done with the maximum efficiency and according to them using technology to have the same thing done is worthless as it cannot match the excellent result which they can achieve by themselves.

For instance, "Vacuums cannot clean the house properly and specially not the ceiling, that’s why I attach a broom to a long stick to clean the ceilings of the house. Even though long brooms are available at any store it doesn't actually satisfy me." says Mrs. Sara, a house maker.

If you have ever wondered why the airtight box isle always seems empty in a supermarket even though they are one of the most useful items for any house, then your answer is here, "Nido tins are better for storing snack items than the airtight ones because they keep the food items fresh and saves it from the external environment. That is why I and my friends always borrow tins from each other when we fall short of them." Says Mrs. Anju, a house maker.

Apart from this, there would have been many instances when you must have walked into your neighbour's house and seen their new sofa set or chair still covered in the plastic cover it came in. as it’s a general opinion that keeping the plastic cover on would not allow the new item from getting spoilt easily. It is also noticed that various expensive items that are not used on a daily basis are wrapped in cloth and saved for occasions, as it would prevent it from getting dusty.

Sometimes the house gets filled with useless items such as plastic bags, newspapers, magazines and cartons because the elders of the house just refuse to throw it. "My grandmother does not let us throw any of the plastic bags and saves them, because she thinks we are in India and she can sell them." says Aaliyah, a college student.

These are some of the small, sweet crazy things that people do in the privacy of their homes, even if we find them funny we can not deny the fact that they are actually some of the things that make a house a home and without them living would be too monotonous and serious.