In other news about foreign cultures, they won't necessarily give you back your passport for no asking. One American lady left her passport in a rental car in the UAE. The parking attendant stated a reasonable baksheesh for return of her possessions, something in the four figures. She went off on the poor fellow, necessitating a police response.

Now just look at this fucking stupid story:

The charges against Allen could land her a two-year prison sentence, [her dumb lawyer who isn't even in the UAE] said in a recent press release. She said that the plaintiff in the case requested $10,000 in damages and that they could raise the number at their discretion.

"It is common practice in the UAE for locals and permanent residents to register criminal cases against Westerners with the intention of dropping the case in exchange for money," [the idiotic lawyer] said in the press release. "Tierra, however, STOOD HER GROUND, and has done so for three months, despite facing imprisonment, and despite being trapped in the UAE without an income, without support, and without recourse to justice."

Why, it's almost as though, when they don't get what they want, this American person doesn't get what she wants. What the hell is wrong with these foreigners, anyway?