Joseph Hutson - "CHECKMATE" - Los Angeles

[Joseph Hutson]

So is it true that the man made islands are starting to be taken back by the sea? What's it like in Dubai? Do you have the same worries people face in Israel regarding bus bombers etc...? Pretty interesting place but most likely will never visit.

No. The media likes a good story, but from my understanding the islands are not "sinking". ;)

Regarding Israel, specifically, I think they may have had maybe one bus bombing in the last 7 or 8 years.

The UAE has a population of 8.2M. About 16.5% of the population is made up of the locals. That in and of itself proves that we have no problem with terrorism or the likes of it. It is a place with no taxes, opportunities, no taxes, many different ethnicities, no taxes, etc. :)

[RikiButland]

Hi Joseph and a big welcome to Dubai :)

To others who do not know Dubai, it is a fabulous desert paradise and one of the safest places in the world, hardly any crime at all. And of course no tax, I came here on holiday for 2 weeks, 8 years ago and stayed. It is very special here.

[Will Keir]

NO taxes? 15% locals? Interesting place.

Thanks for the insight. Being there is always so much more meaningful then media coverage, glad I asked.

[Andrew clemson]

Dubai is, to say the least, very different to the rest of the middle east. Its a pretty special place. My family moved here almost 25 years ago and I consider this town home more than I do "my own country" (UK).

The people are friendly and welcoming and extremely accommodating to a western ex-pat community that can at times be (frankly) rather embarassing. Growing up here gave me some fantastic opportunities that I doubt I would have got elsewhere. (I hope I will be here for some time yet!)

Tax is an odd one though. Yes there is no income tax, but they get you with the plethora of speeding fines and other traffic offenses. Well, that and the (still) high rents.

Petrol is cheaper than bottled water though......

[Joseph Hutson]

Tax is an odd one though. Yes there is no income tax, but they get you with the plethora of speeding fines and other traffic offenses. Well, that and the (still) high rents.

Petrol is cheaper than bottled water though......

But for someone who has a tendency to drive conservatively and has housing provided for free, it's still hard to beat. :)

[Patrick Grossien]

Yeah... drive conservatively... but post faster than lightning ;)

I saw him run by, and was fast enough to take a quick shot of the checkered flash...!

sorry Hatman, but David made me do it :)

[Joseph Hutson]

Hehe. The reason why that photo was so convincing to me is that people tell me I have a weird tendency to clench my hands into a fist. :)

[Patrick Grossien]

Even better :) guess I found the right posture for you...
I love the bobblehead look of it. Your scuba diving picture and your comments on it inspired me :)

I just hate myself now for not taking the time to use the true hutson-plaid-pattern :)

[Nathaniel Kramer]

there are no taxes, but there is debtor's prison... No bankruptcy.. Jail! Love it!

[Andrew clemson]

Actually, there is no prison here, they just delete your existence