Have you ever found yourself in a disagreement with your partner, wondering: “How could they possibly think that way?” Or perhaps your child reacts in a way that baffles you, leaving you frustrated and confused. It’s a familiar scenario – one that plays out in relationships of all kinds. And at the heart of it is a crucial skill: empathy.
In these moments, it’s easy to believe that if we haven’t been through what someone else has experienced, we can’t fully understand where they’re coming from. But empathy isn’t about having had the same experiences – it’s about being able to see the world through their eyes. It’s a skill that, when honed, can deepen relationships, ease conflicts, and even make us better decision-makers in all aspects of life, including with our money.
What empathy isn’t
Many people mistake empathy for sympathy, assuming that to be empathetic we have to feel sorry for someone. But empathy isn’t about pity – it’s about understanding. And understanding doesn’t require us to have had the exact same life experiences as the people we care about.
Imagine a financial life manager who only worked with clients whose exact background and wealth level matched their own. Good advisers understand their clients’ concerns, fears and aspirations even if they haven’t followed the same journey. Similarly, good friends, partners and parents strive to understand the motivations and emotions of those around them, even if their paths have been different.
The 'why' behind behaviour
To truly understand someone, it helps to ask: “Why do they do what they do?” Every action has a reason behind it – even if it doesn’t make sense to us at first.
Motivation is the “why” behind behaviour. Just like adults, children, partners and friends are always motivated by something – even if they’re not consciously aware of it. When someone seems “unmotivated,” it’s usually because they’re more strongly motivated by something else.
Psychologists have long said that every behaviour makes sense when you understand the underlying reason for it. Consider these examples:
- A child who refuses to go to bed may not be “defying” you – they may be afraid of the dark.
- A partner who avoids conversations about money may not be irresponsible – they may have grown up in a home where money conversations led to fights.
- A spouse who seems overly cautious with spending may have experienced financial insecurity in the past.
Much like investing, where short-term decisions are often driven by emotional triggers – fear, greed or past experiences – personal interactions are shaped by underlying motivations we may not immediately see.
Two common pitfalls
Understanding this concept makes it easier to empathise with others when we’ve had similar experiences. If you’ve also been scared of the dark, stressed about money, or cautious with spending, you can relate on a personal level. However, there are two common mistakes people make when trying to be empathetic:
- Assuming you understand someone’s experience just because you’ve been through something similar. Even if you think you’ve “been there”, their perspective may be entirely different from yours. Two people may both experience job loss, for instance, but one might feel liberated while the other feels devastated.
- Believing you can’t empathise if you haven’t been in their shoes. This is what makes many couples struggle to understand each other’s feelings – or parents dismiss their child’s emotions as “not a big deal”.
A financial analogy works well here. A seasoned investor doesn’t need to have personally experienced a stock market crash to understand the impact it can have on others. Similarly, a therapist doesn’t need to have experienced grief to help someone through loss. A doctor doesn’t need to have had cancer to treat it. And you don’t need to have lived the same struggles as your partner or child to show them empathy.
Empathy in practice
Empathy is about understanding someone’s frame of reference. It means recognising that if you had lived through their experiences, you might see the world the way they do.
When a good financial life manager meets a client, they don’t immediately start listing solutions. First, they listen. They ask questions. They try to understand the client’s goals, fears and past experiences with money. This can lead to an understanding of their “money scripts”, or money personality. Only after gaining that understanding do they offer guidance. The same principle applies to personal relationships. Before offering advice, solutions or judgments, the first step is to listen and understand.
Why empathy matters
When it comes to wealth, it’s the difference between a quick transaction and a long-term partnership. When people feel their concerns are heard and valued, they are more likely to trust the process – whether that’s a financial strategy, a business decision or a personal conversation.
So, the next time you find yourself wondering: “How could they possibly think that way?” – pause for a moment. Step into their shoes. Consider their experiences. You might not agree, but you just might understand. And that can make all the difference.
Tips for used car buyers
- Choose cars with GCC specifications
- Get a service history for cars less than five years old
- Don’t go cheap on the inspection
- Check for oil leaks
- Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
- Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
- Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
- Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
- If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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Friday’s fixture
6.15pm: Al Wahda v Hatta
6.15pm: Al Dhafra v Ajman
9pm: Al Wasl v Baniyas
9pm: Fujairah v Sharjah
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Race card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m
9.25pm: Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
10.35pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm: Shahm, 7.05pm: Well Of Wisdom, 7.40pm: Lucius Tiberius, 8.15pm: Captain Von Trapp, 8.50pm: Secret Advisor, 9.25pm: George Villiers, 10pm: American Graffiti, 10.35pm: On The Warpath
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
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When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
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Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
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The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
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- Flexible work arrangements
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- Financial well-being incentives
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
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5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
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SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY
Wimbledon order of play on Saturday, July 8
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Centre Court (4pm)
Agnieszka Radwanska (9) v Timea Bacsinszky (19)
Ernests Gulbis v Novak Djokovic (2)
Mischa Zverev (27) v Roger Federer (3)
Court 1 (4pm)
Milos Raonic (6) v Albert Ramos-Vinolas (25)
Anett Kontaveit v Caroline Wozniacki (5)
Dominic Thiem (8) v Jared Donaldson
Court 2 (2.30pm)
Sorana Cirstea v Garbine Muguruza (14)
To finish: Sam Querrey (24) leads Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (12) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 1-6, 6-5
Angelique Kerber (1) v Shelby Rogers
Sebastian Ofner v Alexander Zverev (10)
Court 3 (2.30pm)
Grigor Dimitrov (13) v Dudi Sela
Alison Riske v Coco Vandeweghe (24)
David Ferrer v Tomas Berdych (11)
Court 12 (2.30pm)
Polona Hercog v Svetlana Kuznetsova (7)
Gael Monfils (15) v Adrian Mannarino
Court 18 (2.30pm)
Magdalena Rybarikova v Lesia Tsurenko
Petra Martic v Zarina Diyas
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UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule
August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland
Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE
December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman
February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG
June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland
September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
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Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
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Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein
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Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
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The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
