Al Theyab first goes on naming places and things that the rich Gulf Arabs frequent, their cars with Gulf license plates, make-up, etc. So, there was the theme. Then, all of a sudden, he goes on to talk about how someone from Qatar shipped his car to the UK for an oil change, costing him a reported £23,000. So, we went from the theme of “showing off” to just silly uses of money. No one knows the full story. I’m no car expert, so I will not comment on whether there were legitimate reasons why you would need to ship a car to another country for an oil change.
As if this wasn’t derailment enough, Al Theyab takes on those who pretend to be rich when they are in debt and continuing to keep appearances. Then attacks the “kids” who are given way too much money for them to play with.. and of course, no Arab op-ed piece can be complete without a reference to the suffering of Palestinians in occupied lands, etc.
So, I’m frankly not sure what Jameel Al Theyab is trying to say here. So, I will take his arguments one at a time:
1) Some Gulf Arabs are vulgar in their display of wealth:
Sure. So? In all seriousness, who cares? I believe that if you got it, you can flaunt it. As long as you’re not hurting anyone in the process, go for it. Their extravagant taste and spending puts food on the table for many people. I don’t see anything wrong with that. Does it look stupid? Sure, to me it does. I just think people should be free to act stupidly if it doesn’t harm anyone.
2) In debt but living the high-life:
Right. I have had the privilege to go to schools where some of Bahrain’s wealthy and rich (along with upper middle-class of course). I’ve seen my own father drive a Crown Victoria while his secretary pulls up in her brand new S350. He spent all his money on our education.
I learned, by observing, that there are things more important than driving a luxury car. I would still file this under: People are free to be stupid.
3) The kids, save the kids!
The Gulf Arab teenagers and young adults Al Theyab describes in his op-ed are all over the place. I would say this alone is a good enough theme. It is something worth talking about. That is, parents are enabling their children and ending up in a situation where they lack any appreciation for the good things in life. Doesn’t help anyone. Not an issue I am terribly invested in, but it is one that can probably be changed.
4) All this while the XXXX can’t eat!
There will always be starving people. There will always be suffering and war. I don’t see why there should be a relationship between the two. This is like those who argue against space exploration because there are those without drinking water.
I am not apologetic about it. I don’t see why I can’t enjoy life because someone else is not enjoying it. That’s life. Get used to it.
P.S. Thanks to @imht for pointing it out – and no, Who-Sane does not endorse my opinions 
While I agree with you, people have the right to be stupid. They can be stupid in their own countries, once they step outside their own borders, love it or hate it they’re ambassadors and they represent their entire country to those who have not had the privilege to visit their homeland. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7930632/Sleepless-Kni…Highlights my point, a select few now represent the country, and the region.
Nice dissection, but I would file it under : People are free to be stupid, including the writer of the original article
On a serious note, I really hope more urgent and thoughtful focus be given on your point 3… Lets chat if you are around…
Who said they’re not hurting anyone? They are hurting the image and reputation of an entire nation. By their acts, they’re labeling all Arabs as arrogant, extravagant, pretentious and shallow.By the way, Sami Al Reyami adds his voice to Al Theyabi’s, so does every other journalist out there with the slightest observation skills. http://www.emaratalyoum.com/opinion/2010-08-10-1.277082 I particularly liked the last paragraph in Al Reyami’s piece: هناك من اليابانيين من يملكون ثروات هائلة، لكنهم أكثر شعوب العالم اقتناعاً بثقافة التوفير، كما أنك لن تستطيع التمييز أبداً بين السائح الياباني الثري وغيره، فممارساتهم واحدة، وعلى الرغم من وجود رجال أعمال يابانيين يقضون عطلة نهاية الأسبوع قادمين من طوكيو للعب الغولف في ملاعب دبي فقط، فإنني لم أشاهد يابانياً في سيارة «رولز رويس» تحمل لوحة طوكيو على شارع الشيخ زايد!
As Al Reyami said, will we ever live to see the day where a Japanese guy parks his Japanese-plated Rolls Royce on Sheikh Zayed Road? I believe not.
Every group of people have their stereotypes. Americans are loud. The English are rude. Gulf Arabs are filthy rich. Egyptians are backstabbers. Sudanese are lazy. Lebanese are arrogant. The list goes on.. oh and the Japanese? They’re known for much sicker things than showing off in a luxury car, that I wouldn’t dare get into
Point is, it’s almost always a result of a small but vocal group painting the rest. I don’t think it’s a “problem”. A more focused article talking about how such displays reflect poorly on the image of Arabs and how it would be better without would have been a much more readable op-ed. However, Jameel Al Theyab’s piece lacked any focus or cohesion. You know, things you would expect from someone of his caliber.