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Indian woman’s first Dubai trip leaves her more impressed by people than infrastructure: ‘I’m just amazed’

An Indian woman visiting Dubai was amazed by the people, saying the city was about much more than its infrastructure.

Published on: Sep 21, 2026, 13:07:42 IST
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Dubai is often associated with towering skyscrapers, luxury malls and futuristic infrastructure, but an Indian woman visiting the city for the first time said it was the people, rather than the buildings, that left the biggest impression on her.

An Indian woman visiting Dubai was fascinated by its people and lifestyle, saying they impressed her more than the infrastructure. (Instagram/shubhangi_zanan)
An Indian woman visiting Dubai was fascinated by its people and lifestyle, saying they impressed her more than the infrastructure. (Instagram/shubhangi_zanan)

(Also read: Indian woman gives tour of her 30,000 'tiny' room in Dubai, internet reacts: 'This is claustrophobic')

Taking to Instagram, Shubhangi Zanan shared a video from Dubai Mall, where she spoke about how fascinated she was by the way people dressed, interacted and carried themselves. She said she and her husband had spent more than an hour simply observing people instead of sightseeing.

Woman shares first impression of Dubai

“I think more than the infrastructure in Dubai, I'm amazed by the people in Dubai. I'm sitting in Dubai Mall, and the only thing that I can think of right now is, wow, kind of clothes women here are wearing, jewelry, shoes, bags, insane,” she said.

She added that although it was their first visit to Dubai, the couple found themselves paying more attention to everyday interactions around them.

“I mean, me and my husband, we're just sitting here, having our coffee. We have been sitting here for over an hour. We are tourists here, this is our first time. So ideally we should be doing sightseeing, but what we are doing is we are just observing the way people are conducting themselves, the way people are walking, the way people are talking with each other, the way these local people are greeting when they are meeting each other,” she said.

‘Such a difference in the way of living’

Describing the experience as strikingly different from what she was used to, Zanan said she could understand why Dubai attracts so much attention.

“It is absolutely crazy and I think I can understand why there is so much craze about Dubai. I know it's all bling and all, but I think it's way more than that,” she said.

She further added, “I have just come from home, like almost just 3 hours flight, right? And then there is just such a difference in the way of living, the way people carry themselves. It's just so different.”

While acknowledging factors such as salaries, taxation and purchasing power, she said those were “a different story”, adding, “but yeah, I mean, I'm just amazed.”

The video was shared with the caption: “More than the infra in Dubai, I am amazed by the people in Dubai. Dubai infrastructure = 10/10. Dubai people = 100000/10.”

Watch the clip here:

Social media reacts

The post drew a few reactions from users who agreed with her observations. One person wrote, “Dubai is definitely more than just skyscrapers.” Another commented, “The way people carry themselves really stands out.” A third said, “Dubai has a completely different vibe,” while another added, “It’s the lifestyle that fascinates people the most.”

(Also read: Indian woman reveals 1.5-2.5 lakh monthly salary in Dubai as tech support, internet reacts)

HT.com has reached out to the user for her comments, and the copy will be updated once her response is received.

(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)

  • Mahipal Singh Chouhan
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Mahipal Singh Chouhan

    Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. He primarily covers offbeat, trending and human-interest stories, with a focus on emerging social media trends, online conversations and real-world incidents that capture public attention. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal works on identifying and developing fast-moving digital stories, adding context and journalistic perspective to viral moments while maintaining accuracy, clarity and readability for online audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling. He holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. Beyond journalism, he has a keen interest in history and sports and enjoys expanding his general knowledge.Read More

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