Tuesday, September 7, 2010

To Ancient X - Your name fits you perfectly! Your views are pre historic! Please enter the 21st century! So someone could attempt murder, and nearly kill you and your family, and you don't expect us to react? Our reaction is subtle to your behaviour? So after I flip my finger you will then beat me and break my finger? NO doubt, all of this infront of your family and young children perhaps? Great example you are?? YUP, I agree, your mentality is truly ANCIENT!! PREHISTORIC!! Please educate yourself, get some ANGER MANAGEMENT classes, perhaps YOGA, or heres a good one....READ THE HOLY QUARN!!!!

desertrekk, now u got the other side of the story ;)

Hi Darren I am really sorry for what happened to you but you know you are probably in a much better place where you can drive without someone trying to run u off the road We see this everyday here, All the best wishes to you & your family

I mean no offense Mr. Black Knight, but i do not think impartiality is one of the best traits of people in this country-locals or expats alike. I have witnessed discrimination here every single day: in shops, restaurants, in simple queuing for a bus ride or paying your bills in banks, and would you believe even when one is on the phone? How many times have i been asked about what country i come from when conversing on the phone before people starts to talk to me? When the person on the other line hears that i'm from a country which is "below the food chain" so to speak, then his/her true color (rudeness) shows. It's really sad, especially since this place is much referred to as a melting pot of cultures. In reality it's where each one's culture becomes more emphasized. Still, the best we can do is look forward to some kind of evolution which should really come from within each person regardless of color or religion.

Its funny how none of those drivers with the heavily tinted windows EVER get repremanded by the police....

I just hope this incident does not "encourage" nasty drivers to intentionally provoke other motorists, knowing that they can file a complaint if they get a not-so-good reaction. I'm referring to those who are just taking a joy ride and have nothing really important to do. I've had my share of this a number of times, like when someone tailgates me with lights flashing when i'm doing 70kph on a 70kph road. then when i move to the next lane to let him/her pass (i wouldn't know who's driving because of the heavily tinted window), this hooligan cuts me then brakes. thank God i have not gotten into an accident up to now, but really there are lots these drivers on the road. While Darren may have deserved to be deported due to his reaction (which means he had something to react to), i still believe mutual respect should be observed not only on the road but in all public places as well.

I have always found the police to be quire reasonable and friendly in Dubai and my experience regarding minor accidents has been that they are impartial regarding nationality. They will be doing a great injustice to those who are driving recklessly by not disciplining them as it will evenetually cost them their lives.

I really feel bad that Darren and his family had to go through this. Being in the flying business I go all around the world and must admit that the level of tolerance that I see in some of the countries that we go to is great example for mankind. Living in Dubai for more then 9 years I can clearly say that the level of tolerance in this place is rather shocking. What happened in this case was a bit too much. May be a fine or jail(Which he did already)would have serve the purpose and sent the message across. Deporting someone for such a thing is just too much. Civilsed socities are based on basic human values such as tolerance and kindness its very sad that I do not see both of these attributes... Anyways Darren you have moved to a country and I'm sure this will be a begining of a pleasent new journey for you. God bless you and your family.

Really sad for Darren. Look at the bright side of it Darren, God has better plans for you and your family. Thank god that you are alive & can see your family everyday.

I was curious to enquire from Darren if the Police gave him any fair hearing to allow him explain the circumstances of his actions, unacceptable as his finger sign was. I presume if the provocation was from dangerous driving, there`d be some leeway where he gets a fine and the other party gets a reprimand for dangerous driving. I thought there was two sides of this story. Id definetely be curious to hear the military man`s side of this story. Deportation sounds overboard for a finger insult.

We all should be carefull not to use it in a wrong sense. I do believe that we are in a different country but this is really not fair. Be careful guys and always be Patient ! God bless him and UAE as well :)

We're sending nurses home! Beware of who you smile at... ;-)

Just another case of habibis getting away with their tricks....

Hypocrasy at its best. I have been a victim of road raged as well. Had him and his passenger flipping me off, trying to run me off the road, etc. Laws sometimes seem to only work one way here.

BoogieMonsta , trust me i'm not. Sorry to hear about your incident, simply call the cops or visit the police staion to file a complaint next time.

In the UAE, all people are equal but some are more equal than others. Its always the young ones exercising their superiority that do this. Its happened to me as well. Driving right on my bumper flashing their lights at 140kph trying to get me to stop because HIS driving attitude caused me to nearly crash to I zapped him - he made pursuit on the SZR.

Fortunately I had a very large yank 4x4 so I just jumped on the brakes to scare him. Sent the little critter skidding across six lanes and into the sand so it did. Never saw him again. If I had my time again I'd have pulled over, ripped his phone off him before he could 'call police' and rammed it up his....exhaust pipe. Insufferable little oik that he was.

The cat is out of the bag globally now about many issues and the clock is ticking. You reap what you sow. The one rule for one and another for the other system is crumbling fast. Global legitimacy - pull the other one.

I think this is totally ridiculous. Yes showing the middle finger is wrong, but to allow the other driver to get away with wreckless and dangerous driving, not to mention intimidation and harrassment in following Darren around. This guy should have been counter charged.

If this story does not smack of 'double standards' then I do not know what else to say. However, it does boil down to 'as in Rome do as the Romans do'. It is a shame that for a place in the world that is going all out to entice people to move to, then items like this one do not paint a very good picture.

@ Ancient X...you must be just one of those typical people that like to provoke and then complain about the reaction... Ive almost been run off the road because I simply sounded a horn at a driver that nearly drove into me...then he proceeded to try run me off the road!!!

Hey come on, don't loose hope. God is watching. Punishment maybe here or on after life. From human it's temporary but from God - it's eternal. So, watch out....

A word of warning, a handful of these young guys (of all nationalities) drive in such a manner to provoke drivers into retaliation. So don't rise to the bait, take vids/photos with your phone/cam, and have the last laugh!

It serves him right, he deserves it. I hope that sets an example to all expats and they should really reconsider acting like douche bags. Middle finger waving may lead to a good beating & finger breaking by the victim as well as deportation by law ruling.

O.K., I totally get that the "finger" is inappropriate. But is not the behavior of the other party not equally inappropriate. As a former "military" person from a western country, I know for one, I would be severely reprimanded if I behaved in the manner that this "military" personnel behaved. I applaud the honesty of Darren, and I believe that Allah will reward you. However I think laws should punish everyone fairly. Do you think that we expats just run around unprovoked flipping up our fingers?? I have seen far worse offensive behavior than that done to my daughters in their school (they're only 7) and it is an arab school that they attend. This is unbelievable to me.

I have lived in Dubai for 15 years before relocating and was not aware really that such a law existed. Does this apply to just expats or locals as well? - and if there are strict laws for showing your middle finger, shouldn't there be stricter and harsher laws with more severe penalties that just deportation for also driving dangerously, recklessly and endangering the lives of others on the raods?

These stories really get on my nerves, its not the first time this has happened but its rather sad in many ways. Ok, the guy was wrong in doing what he did even though it was just a rude gesture that goes unnoticed in the western culture, but what gets on my nerves is the fact that the authorities will take some young man's word for it. Its even possible that he didnt show the finger but merely honked at an irratic driver and this person can just lodge a complaint that he did this or that and they will just go with his word. Besides, a armed forces youngster with an attitude probably driving recklessly deserves some punishment himself, why didnt they take the expats word for it. I never seen anyone get hurt by Darren's actions but many get killed by the reckless drivers....

A typical case that is short of common sensibility because telling the truth only helps had he topped it with a sincere apology to the local army serviceman. Of all people, Daren should know how "highly invasive" is pointing the middle finger in this country. No sympathy except for the poor wife who had to go through all this because of her husband’s inability to keep his middle finger for himself.

I don't understand why the courts need to be involved in these kind of issues. I do not blame the police, who are only enforcing the law, but I find it quite cowardly that the man opted for this approach. The police officer even tried to talk him out of it but he was obviously hell bent on revenge. There are many other ways to sort it out.. such as: An apology, or if you prefer: cash payment, personal favours, or in extreme cases: a fair adjudicated fight. Making a formal complaint unnecessarily clogs up the justice system.

That is a bit harsh isnt it? Maybe get fined, anger managment..black points..but jail and deportation? Bit of an over-reaction. I guess it is because he offended an officer...

Anyone for property investments??

A good example for people to take care while driving and even if u find someone weaving and driving dangerously, move over to the slow lane and leave them alone, they just might be someone influential. Sorry Darren,luck was not on your side this time.

Hi Darren,

I pity you for experiencing such a thing. I am also driving and don't have that much patience on the road most especially with such people who drive others crazy on the road. I once read a similar story before when the expat got deported because of showing the middle finger to another driver while they are on a road rage.

When it seems it is really the fault of the other guy, everytime I become angry on the road because of them being reckless, I just stay away from them and just swear to myself instead because I dont want to face the consequence of being punished even if it is not my fault and they are just the ones who is provoking you to do it. You are right we should be extra careful since we are in a different country. This is their country and we should abide by their laws and even if we are abiding by their laws still we are the culprits. Had too much experience in encountering with them, WE ARE NEVER THE WINNERS.

I was once a victim of road rage myself with the driver, who was driving recklessly on the road and had almost hit me like yours, I open my window and told him what are you doing? If you want to kill yourself do not include me, then I called up the police to complain about him and guess what the story was turned upside down, I become the culprit because the other guy filed a complaint after me (they let us both sign a paper which indicates we are not going to drive fast) The worst part was the driver was a teenage guy who didn't have a license on him and only his passport!!!

The 2nd time, I was hit by another and I was given a pink copy and a fine of 250 Dhs. The police informed me that it was my fault. Is it really my fault when the driver was on his phone without headset and not knowing when people are signalign indicators while changing lanes??? Guess what? He only carried a Health Card which they accepted when we were in the Police Station!

I know even though you were being deported you and your family not to mention your children will for sure live a happy life just think that this is a new beginning for you and for sure a better one!!! Goodluck to you and to your family. All the Best!!!

Wait, so the motorist who weaved between lanes who was obviously breaking the law got off but this guy got deported? Again, why am I not surprised?

I have no objection to the law of the UAE, but I think it is a little harsh. For one little finger gesture a person is deported? Does no one else think this is a little over the top? What would happen if it was the other way around?

This is disgusting; a guy weaving and almost crashing into him with his car, potentially harming or killing him, gets to send this guy to jail and has him deported. So the guy was offended by the gesture; who cares!? I'd be offended when someone almost kills me on the road.

Just another story gone bad. The story tells itself of this 20 year+ guy that followed this man on the roundabout 8 times, flashed his lights, weaving in and out and nearly crashed into the man's car. Sound familiar. This is the usual  driving around here and the guest living here will get punished for it.