Walking into a shop in the UAE wearing a kandura or an abaya comes with a price - and it's usually higher than what everyone else pays, according to Emiratis.
Jacked-up prices affect Emiratis every day, and most are resigned to being unable to do anything about it.
"It's like the shopkeeper's eyes light up when you walk in wearing a kandura," said Omar Ismail. "They assume we're all wealthy so we're fair game."
The professional comedian said the practice is widely known within the Emirati community, with shops in Abu Dhabi and Dubai regularly upping prices for everyday items when the buyer is Emirati.
"Unfortunately, people think all locals sit on barrels of oil," said Issa Al Sayed, a 44-year-old Emirati from Abu Dhabi. "But we're not all like that."
Mr Al Sayed said he has seen prices triple when he wears his kandura.
"My expat friend would buy something for Dh70, but when I go to the same place they refuse to go lower than Dh250," he said.
After years of paying through the nose, Mr Al Sayed has learnt to change his shopping habits - and his clothes.
"It makes a difference when you wear jeans and a T-shirt and don't speak with your local accent, you find people have a different perspective of you," he said.
Mr Al Sayed grew up with Pakistanis, Indians and Arabs of all nationalities and picked up words and accents that helped him find out what expats really think of Emiratis.
"I used to get the bus in Western clothes, spoke Hindi, or with an Egyptian accent, and found some people think we're just goofy people," he said.
"Overcharging happens mainly with Indians and some Arabs," he said. "They think we're backed by the UAE's wealth - like it's filling our pockets. Some Emiratis' wealth is the same or even less than expats, but the stereotype prevails."
For Amna Al Falasi, a 23-year-old teacher, being overcharged is a common topic of discussion among friends and family.
"I remember having an abaya made in Deira. The shopkeeper assured me he was offering the best price and quoted Dh700," she said.
"A month later I spotted an Egyptian friend wearing the exact same one. When I asked her how much it cost, she told me Dh300."
She said most Emiratis believed the practice was ingrained among storekeepers. However, she has noticed prices going much higher recently.
"Every time there is an announcement that Emiratis are getting salary rises it is reflected in the prices we get quoted. I don't think it's going to change."
Sultan N, a 22-year-old student in Dubai, says he has been a victim of overcharging at electronics shops in Satwa and Deira.
"My Syrian friend bought a phone for Dh1,700, but when I went for the same one the shopkeeper added Dh200," he said.
He tried to haggle but the shopkeeper would not go below Dh1,900. "He took advantage of what I was wearing but he doesn't realise some locals can't afford it," Sultan said. "Many Emiratis are simply not rich."
It's not only shops that put up prices when Emiratis walk through the door, restaurants are also charging more.
Humaid Rashed Salem, a 38-year-old public relations officer in Abu Dhabi, claims that while he was having dinner with friends in Marina Mall, an Indian maître d' told staff to "raise the price because they are Emirati."
"One of my Emirati friends who speaks Hindi overheard him and said we would only pay the price on the menu," Mr Salem said.
When shopkeepers were asked whether they raised prices based on a person's nationality, many denied it. Some said a bit of haggling is what gets shoppers the best price.
"I've never charged a higher price to Emiratis," said Mohamad Iqbal Hussein, a Bangladeshi manager at Ruqiya Mobile Phones in Abu Dhabi's Madinat Zayed Centre.
"I'm sure other places do but it's not fair, everybody should pay the same."
Mohammad Alam, the manager at Village Mobile Phones in Abu Dhabi, felt the same. "I haven't charged locals more and I don't think other shops do," he said. "I know they don't all have money."
However, a trader running a computer store in Deira said he did not believe he was doing anything wrong by raising prices.
"It depends on how skilful the customer is in haggling," he said. "People used to haggle much more years ago and it was a part of everyday life.
"Since the malls opened they have lost that skill. It's a case of being able to negotiate a good price."
An Indian shopkeeper who runs a clothes shop in Bur Dubai said: "We don't have a list price, so what we quote is an opening offer. I don't think it's unfair because most people expect to barter."
He said he had often given Emiratis bigger discounts than other nationalities.
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cmalek@thenational.ae
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
Company%20Profile
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Champion%20v%20Champion%20(PFL%20v%20Bellator)
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Company%20Profile
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'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
Last 10 winners of African Footballer of the Year
2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2007: Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla and Mali)
2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2010: Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan and Cameroon)
2011: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2012: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2014: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City and Algeria)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What%20is%20cystic%20fibrosis%3F
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MWTC
Tickets start from Dh100 for adults and are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. Three-day and travel packages are also available at 20 per cent discount.
SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 20: 11am to 7pm - Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival and Para jiu-jitsu.
Sunday, April 21: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (female) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Monday, April 22: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (male) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Tuesday, April 23: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Wednesday, April 24: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Thursday, April 25: 11am-5pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Friday, April 26: 3pm to 6pm Finals of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Saturday, April 27: 4pm and 8pm awards ceremony.
FINAL LEADERBOARD
1. Jordan Spieth (USA) 65 69 65 69 - 12-under-par
2. Matt Kuchar (USA) 65 71 66 69 - 9-under
3. Li Haotong (CHN) 69 73 69 63 - 6-under
T4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 71 68 69 67 - 5-under
T4. Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 67 73 67 68 - 5-under
T6. Marc Leishman (AUS) 69 76 66 65 - 4-under
T6. Matthew Southgate (ENG) 72 72 67 65 - 4-under
T6. Brooks Koepka (USA) 65 72 68 71 - 4-under
T6. Branden Grace (RSA) 70 74 62 70 - 4-under
T6. Alexander Noren (SWE) 68 72 69 67 - 4-under
Results
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Mudaarab, Jim Crowley (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Hassan Al Hammadi.
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Salima Al Reef, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Bainoona, Ricardo Iacopini, Eric Lemartinel.
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: Assyad, Victoria Larsen, Eric Lemartinel.
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1 Dh5,000,000 1,600m
Winner: Mashhur Al Khalediah, Jean-Bernard Eyquem, Phillip Collington.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets