I came back home from a particularly strenuous day shopping to discover I was face to face with a couple of very friendly chaps. Now I live on the 33rd floor of a nice residential tower and with the weather and dust in Dubai it does not take long for the windows to get dirty and obscure the amazing view (when it is not hazy)
The nice thing is that the windows are cleaned about every two months, but I had yet to see anyone doing it before. Sometimes I would see the ropes in front of the windows but I had never seen the actual guys doing the hard graft. And hard it must be. Outside in temperatures at around 45c and over 300 feet up it is hardly the easiest of working conditions – but these guys were clearly having fun and I could hear them chatting and laughing. I admired their upbeat attitude and also their invention to erect a makeshift sun blind from cardboard to keep the worst of the rays from them:
They were soon gone leaving me nothing but sparkling windows and a nice photo. I would like to have given them a tip or a cool drink but there was not much chance to do that. I hope they come back soon and clean the other two windows they missed on this pass.
I always used to give our window cleaners a tip and big bottles of cold water when they did our windows in the Al Mesk tower. They used to do a really good job.
By: nzm on September 1, 2008
at 3:58 pm
That’s a really tough job!
By: Ab on September 1, 2008
at 11:32 pm
They look like they’re watching your TV!
By: Faye on September 2, 2008
at 3:40 am
I had a friend who lived on the 21st floor and when she wanted to show me her view from the balcony I was less than thrilled to look. Hats off to those guys who clean the windows on those high rise apartment buildings.
By: Ilka on September 3, 2008
at 12:57 am
We are a professional window cleaning company that specializes in cleaning residential and small business windows.
By: Matt on September 3, 2008
at 2:34 am
Hey,
I have read a little of your blog and I can see that I am going to have to try and read as much as I can as it gives real insight into life in Dubai. I am currently scouring websites in order to understand what documention etc I need to take with me in order to arrive in Dubai and look for a job there – and my head is absolutely spinning !! Every time I think I am getting somewhere I find another website with conflicting advice – surely it can’t be this complicated ?? Also finding it hard to find info on dress code for western women – some say dress like you would anywhere – others say cover shoulders, chest, legs etc so I am confused as to what I even pack. Am intending to come to Dubai at the end of sept so time is running out … any help or advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated …
By: Erica on September 5, 2008
at 3:00 am
Hi Erica,
I will try and simplify the document thing for you. I would recommend bringing the originals of :
Passport
Driving License
Marriage Certificate
Birth Certificate (that I have ever needed this)
Highest Education Certificate
All should also be attested in your local country. After this everything else can easily be dealt with locally.
As for dress code for western women – I am hardly an authority on this subject but I would offer the following advice. Typically the clothes you wear on a daily basis will be just fine. I however would avoid however wearing a mini skirt and boob tube in areas such as Bur Dubai and Karama. You will simply feel uncomfortable.
At the end of the day the UAE is a remarkably tolerant muslim country and a degree of respect should be upheld in light of this.
I hope that helps
Cheers
Aaron
By: Aaron on September 5, 2008
at 5:09 pm
Hey,
Thanks so much for your response. I wasn’t intending to wear a boob tube and shorts – so that’s cool. the info on the documents is great – just simple and one sentence – perfect. Really looking forward to coming over and discovering Dubai. Next task is to find a job !!
By: Erica on September 7, 2008
at 3:39 am
Hi Erica – good luck in your search!
By: Aaron on September 8, 2008
at 9:44 am
Hello, My name is Jack Ruegsegger. I am the founder of Squeegee Squad Franchising. Squeegee Squad is the only residential and high rise window cleaning franchise in the U.S.A. Let me know if you know anybody in Dubai that would like to buy a Master Franchise License in Dubai in order to franchise Squeegee Squad. I bet there is not alot of good competition yet. Check out my website at http://www.SqueegeeSquad.com. Best Regards, Jack
By: Jack Ruegsegger on October 26, 2008
at 5:22 am
Hi,
My name is Gabriel Brook and I am a high rise window washer living in Vancouver, B.C Canada. I’m writing this email to inquire about the market in Dubai. I have several years of experience and have become a major asset to all the companies I have been employed by. I was wondering if there was room for me in Dubai, potentially with your company. If your services do not include window washing, I would appreciate any information that you could provide regarding the subject i.e company names.
Thank You,
Gabriel Brook
By: Gabriel BroOK on November 24, 2008
at 12:50 am
I am a window cleaner with 5 years experience working as an abseiller on hi rise buildings in and around the UK. My family and I are looking at moving to Dubai and would be grateful of any information of companies which i could contact to find a job in my field of work
By: Daniel Ostle on February 5, 2009
at 3:57 pm
Wow, you wonder how those windows out in Dubai never shatter being so hot outside then having water splashed on them to be cleaned. Im sure those guys worked on their tans with all that warm Dubai sun reflecting off of that glass.
By: Brian on August 8, 2009
at 9:21 am
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Michael VanDeMark Sr.
I am the owner and president of VMARK HI-RISE SPECIALISTS located on Miami Beach, Florida.
I am currently shut down due to the current economic crisis here in the U.S.
I am permanently closing my corporation and I am planning on moving abroad to Dubai.
I am 6’-00” and I weigh 155 lbs. I am very agile and I am also a mountain climber and was certified 30 years ago in rock and rescue.
I have 20+ years experience as a window cleaner.
My knowledge includes straight wash, chemical stain removal, scratch removal (IPS & 3M systems), and full knowledge of construction cleaning. I am fully qualified in ground work, ladder work, mechanical lifts, suspended staging, and I pride myself in being an expert whn it comes to ropes and there rigging for bos’n chair. This includes traverse rigging, and overhang rope transfers, and rope transfer with tag line.
I am qualified to teach and instruct employees on modern rescue techniques.
I use only professional mountain climbing equipment made for rock and rescue which PETZL is my most used. My ropes are usually 7/16 Kernmantle PMI or New England. With a tensile strength of 7500lbi’s.
I am very interested in teaming up with you. However I am interested in subcontracting from you.
As stated I own my own corporation so I am well school and have full knowledge in the assistance of running your proposed company as well as working because of the fact I love hanging.
I am also fully capable of drawing up contracts legally binding client contractually and legally.
I do ask however that you maintain a drug-free work environment as I have in my corporation.
I will be more than glad to show you my employment packages and contracts that I drew up for my corporation in order to help you run a very efficient corporation.
Please feel free to contact me any time 24/7 at vmark-hi-rise-specialists@hotmail.com or vmark1962@yahoo.com
My phone number is 305-307-6427
By: michael vandemark on October 6, 2009
at 4:42 am
@michael vandemark – I appreciate you sharing your many skills however I am not well placed to be able to find you the type of role you are seeking
By: Aaron on October 6, 2009
at 4:07 pm
Awesome post. I clean windows in san diego, and I tell you, the pictures I see of Dubai makes me really want to go. Really beautiful. I cant imagine what it looks like while cleaning the windows, what a view.
By: Tory on March 5, 2010
at 7:43 am
@Tory – I have zero head for heights – I admire anyone able to do this sort of work
By: Aaron on March 5, 2010
at 9:47 am
how i get a job in dubay,i am a profecional creazy high rise window cleaneri ben in florida,chicago,maine,massachusets,in las vegas in i tink i have to go to dubay to hungup in tose beautifull buildings men,you will se im spanish opera singer for the top of the building jejeje seyap.
By: edgar on November 8, 2010
at 4:33 am