Stories about Emiratis being overcharged are common. My friends and family know this only too well and can recount many incidents of receiving eyebrow-raising quotations from less-than-honest shopkeepers.
I've had a few myself but, keen to prove these were not isolated incidents, I headed to Bur Dubai to test the theory that Emiratis in traditional dress are regularly quoted higher prices than their expatriate counterparts.
I paid a visit to a few shops in the neighbourhood, initially dressed in my kandura, then returned later in jeans and a T-shirt, long enough apart so that no one would rumble my miniature social and consumer experiment.
Test one. I walked into an electronics store dressed in my local garb and, speaking with an Emirati accent, asked about a run-of-the-mill Sony camera.
The service could not have been better - polite and prompt. It was as if the store's owners were eager to make friends with me, as well as do a little bit of business.
"Nine hundred, sir," was the quote. A little on the high side. "Nine hundred?" I asked, trying to bring down the price.
"A very good price for you only, sir," was the response.
The shopkeeper proceeded to tell me about the great qualities of the camera and that it would be much more expensive anywhere else.
As I thanked him and walked away, I expected the price to drop a little. But instead of a plea to haggle, I was met with silence. Not once was I offered a better deal.
Two hours later I returned to the same store, this time in jeans and a T-shirt and speaking with an American accent.
This time the customer service was almost non-existent. The staff did not acknowledge my presence until I approached them and asked for help.
I asked about the Sony camera and was quoted Dh700 - Dh200 cheaper and with no need to haggle.
As I thanked them and walked away, they shouted: "Dh650."
I had not even tried to barter but the price was already tumbling.
This theme continued. Another electronics store offered me a BlackBerry 9900 for Dh2,150 while I was wearing my kandura, but the price slipped to Dh1,900 when I returned dressed in western clothes.
Next, I entered a store selling watches.
An Esprit timepiece caught my eye and although the price tag read Dh850, the salesman offered me a "good" price of Dh620 - a decent reduction by anyone's standards. When I came back two hours later wearing jeans, the same watch was offered for just Dh325.
It seems the non-Emirati version of me can bag a deal.
Overall, I found the difference in prices disturbing.
The stereotype that Emiratis are so well off they are willing to pay whatever is asked without a second thought is one that I find hurtful.
The majority of UAE citizens do not have the endlessly deep pockets that many people seem to think they possess.
It is frustrating that many Emiratis' hard-earned money is being needlessly chipped away paying for these price increases.
UAE citizens should not have to resort to wearing western clothes and changing their accents just so they can buy goods at prices expatriates enjoy.
I have never gone looking for special service or ever asked for it.
But this is the UAE, our country, and at the very least we deserve to be treated equally, as everyone does.
Have unfair prices affected you? Contribute to the discussion by writing to letters@thenational.ae
