Lifestyle - Gulf Insider

2 weeks ago

The Gen Z Workforce In The UK Is Demanding Less Alcohol At Company Socials

For years, workplace culture has revolved around one thing: drinks after work. But Gen Z in the UK is starting to push back — and companies are beginning to notice, according to a new study from Diamond Interiors. The study says that a growing number of younger employees say they would rather skip alcohol-focused work socials altogether. In a recent survey of Gen Z office workers, half said they preferred social events that don’t centre around drinking. It’s a small detail on the surface, but it reflects a much wider shift in how the next generation views work and workplace culture. Don’t tell the banking industry in London, that’s for sure… For previous generations, bonding with colleagues often meant pub trips, networking over cocktails, or team nights out that stretched late into the evening. Gen Z workers, however, are drinking less overall and are more likely to prioritise wellness, mental health, fitness, and financial stability. For many, alcohol simply isn’t as central to social life as it once was. There’s also a stronger focus on inclusivity. Younger workers are more aware that not everyone wants — or can afford — to participate in drinking culture. A work social built around […]

2 weeks ago

The Fragile Balance Between Compassion And Civilization

What is unfolding across parts of Europe, particularly in the UK under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, should serve as a warning to every Western democracy wrestling with questions of immigration, national identity, social cohesion, and the limits of political tolerance. A nation can be compassionate without becoming careless. It can welcome newcomers while still expecting assimilation, civic responsibility, and respect for the laws and traditions that hold a society together. But when governments become so consumed with appearing morally virtuous that they neglect order, border enforcement, public safety, and cultural confidence, the social fabric eventually begins to fray. Across Europe, many citizens increasingly feel that they are watching this happen in real time. Businesses struggle under layers of regulation and insecurity. Historic neighborhoods in cities such as London, Paris, Brussels, and parts of Germany face growing tensions between communities living side by side but not necessarily living together. In too many places, political leaders have become hesitant to speak honestly about integration failures for fear of being labeled intolerant or divisive. Yet avoiding difficult conversations does not eliminate problems; it merely delays them until frustration hardens into anger. This is why political movements once considered fringe are now gaining traction […]

3 weeks ago

No Wonder Men Are Opting Out

Back in 1983, American author Barbara Ehrenreich wrote a powerful book — The Hearts of Men: American Dreams and the Flight from Commitment — arguing that a male revolt was underway. Since the 1950s, she suggested, men had begun rebelling against the breadwinner ethic, inspired by Playboy culture, the counterculture and a desire for personal freedom. They were rejecting the cultural ideology that had shamed them into tying the knot and becoming a good provider, lest they be seen as immature, irresponsible and less than a real man. Ehrenreich understood that marriage was the mechanism by which society harnessed male productivity. Remove the shame and the yoke comes off. Forty years on, the yoke has disappeared. In April 2026, the American male labour force participation rate hit its lowest level since records began in the 1940s, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics. One in three American men — roughly 33% — were not working or actively looking for work. The overall male participation rate for men aged 16 and over stood at just 67%, down from 73.5% two decades ago and from 87% in the postwar years when Ehrenreich’s story begins. The trend is not confined to America. Similar declines — though less dramatic than in […]

1 month ago

Dubai Tops As 95% Pick It As Preferred Home

Nearly 95 per cent of residents say Dubai is their preferred place to live, citing safety, religious freedom and quality of life, according to the latest Social Survey, a key benchmark reflecting the emirate’s strong social fabric during the ‘Year of the Family’. The Community Development Authority (CDA) has released the results of its eighth Social Survey (2024–2025), revealing exceptionally high levels of happiness, pride and social cohesion across Dubai. The findings highlight the growing strength of family bonds, inclusivity and community engagement, reinforcing the emirate’s progress under the Dubai Social Agenda 33. Life in Dubai The survey paints a comprehensive picture of life in Dubai, with 96.4 per cent of UAE residents expressing pride in living in the emirate, a testament to its diverse and inclusive social model. At the heart of the findings is the Family Bond Index, which reached 95.3 per cent, underlining the central role of family in maintaining social stability. The results align closely with national priorities during the ‘Year of the Family’, which places renewed focus on strengthening household ties and values. Quality of life Quality of life indicators also remain strong. Residents reported an average happiness score of 8.6 and life satisfaction of […]

2 months ago

Raising A Child In USA Now Costs About $303,000: Study

Parents who start raising a child in 2026 will spend around $303,418 from birth to 18 years old, according to a study published April 6 by Lending Tree. The cost increased 1.9 percent from last year. The average annual cost works out to about $16,857 over 18 years, pushing this year’s estimate over $300,000 for the first time since Lending Tree began calculating it in 2023, the online loan marketplace reported. Hawaii is the most expensive state to raise a small child, as yearly costs reached $40,342 for the first five years, the report said. Raising a child for 18 years in Hawaii is projected to cost $412,661. The next most expensive state is Alaska at $365,047, followed by Maryland at $326,360. Parents in the Aloha State are projected to spend more than 27 percent of their yearly income on raising a small child. Nebraska and Indiana follow closely with 23 percent. In all, parents in 22 states should expect to spend at least 20 percent of their yearly income on raising a small child, the report stated. Maryland at $36,419 and Massachusetts at $34,247 were the second and third-most costly states per year for young children. California came in fourth […]

3 months ago

Saudi Arabia Ranks 22nd Globally In World Happiness Report 2026

Saudi Arabia ranked 22nd out of 147 countries in the World Happiness Report 2026, with a life evaluation score of 6.817 out of 10. The report is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Issued annually in conjunction with the International Day of Happiness on March 20, the report is based on survey data covering more than 140 countries. Saudi Arabia ranked ahead of several major economies, including the United States (23rd), Canada (25th), and the United Kingdom (29th). Finland topped the rankings for the ninth consecutive year, followed by Iceland and Denmark. The report evaluates life satisfaction based on key indicators such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. The results highlight the impact of the Kingdom’s Quality of Life Program, which uses the World Happiness Report as a key benchmark. Quality-of-life sectors have contributed more than $20.5 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP, attracted over $5.8 billion in non-government investment, and increased non-oil exports by more than $5.6 billion.

3 months ago

Saudi Arabia Rises 15 Places In World Happiness Report

Saudi Arabia climbed 15 places to rank 22nd globally in the 2026 World Happiness Report, reflecting rising living standards and improvements in quality of life as reforms under Vision 2030 reshape daily life across the Kingdom. The report evaluates 147 countries based on how people rate their own lives, using global survey data collected by Gallup and analyzed by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Saudi Arabia recorded a life evaluation score of 6.817 out of 10, based on averages between 2023 and 2025. The ranking places the Kingdom ahead of several major economies, including the US (23rd), Canada (25th) and the UK (29th). The annual report measures happiness using a range of economic and social indicators. These include GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity and perceptions of corruption. Saudi Arabia’s rise reflects broader changes in how residents experience daily life. Over the past decade, reforms have expanded employment opportunities, improved infrastructure and increased access to entertainment, culture and public spaces. Programs under Vision 2030, including the Quality of Life Program, aim to improve urban living while expanding cultural and recreational options cross the country. For many residents, those changes are visible […]

4 months ago

The Least Laid Generation In History: Gen Z Is Ghosting Sex… And The Implications Are Huge

So, barmaid, bring a pitcher, another round of brew Honey, why don’t we get drunk and screw? – Jimmy Buffett, Why Don’t We Get Drunk (and Screw) It’s not just sex: Alcohol consumption has dropped by 54%, with youth (18 to 34) drinking falling ANOTHER 9% just between 2023 and 2025. From TIME magazine’s article, “Why Gen Z is Drinking Less”: [R]esearch from the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that lifetime drinking, past month drinking, and past year drinking among young people began to decline around the year 2000. That means that such declines have especially impacted Generation Z, defined as anyone born from 1997 to 2012, and some Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996. […] “It is becoming clear that, for whatever reasons, today’s younger generations are just less interested in alcohol and are more likely than older generations to see it as risky for their health and to participate in periods of abstinence like Dry January,” said National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism George F. Koob in a statement. Maybe that’s not coincidental. Perhaps there’s a causal link (as famed philosopher Jimmy Buffett suggested). Maybe, just like peanut butter and jelly are complementary products, sex and alcohol are, too. Koob seemed […]

4 months ago

The “Swipe Era” Has Forever Reshaped How Couples Meet

Tinder forever changed the landscape of online dating when it introduced the swipe function in 2012: left to pass, right to like. The result was a gamified experience that felt frictionless and addictive. Other dating apps copied it, and then the “swipe era” ignited. Before that, online dating was mostly on boring websites, like Christian Mingle and Farmers Only, that felt closer to digital classifieds. Matches were more local and delivered in slower batches, and users worked through profiles and messages to decide whom to meet. The process is now largely automated by an algorithm and resembles a game, with matches presented in rapid succession. Tinder and other dating apps have forever changed how heterosexual couples in the U.S. meet, overtaking introductions through friends around 2013, according to a recent survey. The chart below shows how online dating was fundamentally transformed by two waves of technology: first, the online web’s takeoff in the mid-1990s, and then the smartphone era after 2007. The rise of the iPhone and Tinder in 2012 helped propel the second wave, with roughly 40% of heterosexual couples in the U.S. now meeting online. That figure was in the low single digits in the mid-1990s. “We find […]

4 months ago

Global Village Unveils Extended Ramadan Timings, Live Shows, Dining Selections

Global Village, the region’s leading multicultural family destination for entertainment, dining, shopping and attractions, has unveiled its Ramadan programme for Season 30, inviting visitors to experience the spirit of the Holy Month in an open-air, community-focused setting. Centred on the values of togetherness, reflection and shared traditions, Global Village will operate as a vibrant evening destination throughout Ramadan. The park will open daily from 5pm to 1am from Sunday to Wednesday, and until 2am from Thursday to Saturday, offering families and friends a space to gather and enjoy cultural experiences. Multaqa Global Village: A Ramadan gathering space A key highlight of this season’s Ramadan offerings is Multaqa Global Village, a complimentary, tent-style seating area designed to encourage social interaction during Ramadan evenings. Inspired by traditional majlis gatherings, the space features ambient lighting, comfortable seating and a welcoming atmosphere. Located in front of the Main Stage, Multaqa Global Village allows guests to purchase food from the destination’s kiosks and rent traditional games from the on-site team, creating a relaxed and interactive experience suitable for iftar, suhoor and late-night visits. Live Ramadan entertainment on the Main Stage Throughout the Holy Month, Global Village will host a curated line-up of Ramadan-themed entertainment on […]

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The Gen Z Workforce In The UK Is Demanding Less Alcohol At Company Socials

The Fragile Balance Between Compassion And Civilization

No Wonder Men Are Opting Out

Dubai Tops As 95% Pick It As Preferred Home

Raising A Child In USA Now Costs About $303,000: Study

Saudi Arabia Ranks 22nd Globally In World Happiness Report 2026

Saudi Arabia Rises 15 Places In World Happiness Report

The Least Laid Generation In History: Gen Z Is Ghosting Sex… And The Implications Are Huge

The “Swipe Era” Has Forever Reshaped How Couples Meet

Global Village Unveils Extended Ramadan Timings, Live Shows, Dining Selections

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