Dubaism - Don't accept free drinks!

A few weeks ago a lady I had known from a corporate function in Dubai Marina invited me for dinner in fine dining restaurant near where she lives. Having casually exchanged business cards at the function, I did not as much as learn her name as she works for competitor organization that has set record on poor performance. Surprise call came in some days after the function in which she had to re-introduce her good self complete with description of what she looks like followed by a friendly invitation.She was a nice lady but far from entertaining, since I couldn't think of an excuse to refuse I had to accept the invitation.

Things played out exactly as I had imagined, the dinner was beyond boring, nevertheless I had to oblige and invite her this time to somewhere near where I live. Compulsion of reciprocity had presented me with two uninteresting and characterless evenings, not to mention the brown velvet bill on the table am required to settle. I have borrowed my experience to explain and possibly educate the specific expat in Dubai who has not yet dropped out of this vicious circle.

The law of reciprocity is potentially the most gentle black mail. Its hard to spot and even when spotted, its more of an obvious subject that no one wants to discuss. You may call it corruption or survival strategy, I leave this to your internal dialogue. It is hard to respond to positive deeds with negative deeds, however as you continue to tolerate rather enjoy the positive deeds, you are as well building traffic of people you have to invite for dinners and drinks. If you pay attention, the people doing good at some point develop a sense of debt to them, why? they have done you good and your turn to do good is due.

People who pondered this question ten years ago had fanciful ideas of how their next five to ten years in Dubai would be, drive fuel guzzlers in sky highways, fly home monthly in bullet planes and work in under water offices. Yes you have given the city your devoted efforts and dedication in all sectors. The builders have toiled in the sun for years and now deserve vacation in the moon, the I.T sector has been advanced beyond imagination, infact residents here believe they can choose spouses and offsprings from a catalogue, I mean the city need to reciprocate too,

A reciprocity guard cannot be created, a list to assist you flee from bait-like offers does not exist unless there are no further subtle elements in the relationships you find yourself in. Just like evolution theory, something always existed between periods uncertain-able, same way the reciprocity theory works. Without so much emphasis on material things, marketing as a profession has reshaped. They begin by giving you three months free supply of their product after which you will be expected to return the favour by signing a contract to entirely be a consumer of a product you actually hate.

Immediately i came to the Middle East, I used sympathize with a group of people I nick-named 'adopters' This are the type of people who cannot survive if they do not buy new gadget on its day of launch. They register an amount to book a product sixty days before it gets to the stores. I of course struggle to know what gain is in registering in advance. But there is no reason other  than recognition,  and the amount spent during  registration.  You see the shape of reciprocity now?  A person thinking clearly does not need this purchase, more so if it's more costly than simply walking to the store and buying  the same product.

In conclusion , clear thoughts  become clear deeds.  A great deal of mental  effort is required to understand reciprocity and the possible forms it may present itself in to avoid being a victim.