Etiquette Tips for Dubai Holidays
Posted By Admin ISK on December 1, 2011
My husband and I were leafing through brochures, planning our forthcoming vacation when we came upon some adverts for Dubai holidays and spotted some great cruise deals. Since neither of us had travelled to Dubai, or indeed any of the countries in the United Arab Emirates, the idea appealed – Dubai holidays would be our next vacation choice.
When we had booked our vacation, I spent some time reading about social etiquette and behaviour in Dubai. More than 80% of the population of the United Arab Emirates are Muslim, and this means that some things which are acceptable in the UK have the potential to offend locals, or even land you in trouble with the police. Dubai holidays have become increasingly popular with travellers from the United States and UK, which has meant that many of the rules have been relaxed to allow visitors of all faiths and cultures to discover the rich history and culture in comfort. However, it remains important for tourists who are planning Dubai holidays to at least be aware of the expected etiquette and be guided by it when visiting the city. The following tips are all ones that we found useful to know during our Dubai holidays and will be handy for anyone planning to travel there.
Dress Code for Dubai Holidays
One of the more difficult things to get used to on Dubai holidays is the strict dress code followed by most people in the city. The word to bear in mind is modest, both for men and women. Generally, it is best to keep your arms, legs, back and shoulders covered – showing off lots of skin is a really big no-no.
Most of the male tourists in our group wore shorts and t-shirts, although some found loose-fitting trousers and shirts to be most comfortable in the heat of the city. For women, a long skirt or loose trousers is the preferred option, with a top that at least covers the upper arms. It should be noted that if you are planning to visit religious sites, men will have to wear long trousers, and women will need to wear a headscarf.
Having planned ahead for our holiday, these rules weren’t a great inconvenience for us, but there were several other women travelling in our group who had only packed skimpy clothing and ended up having to purchase more appropriate items in the city.
Alcohol & Kissing
Although alcohol is served in licensed bars and restaurants, getting drunk and behaving in an unruly manner is more than frowned upon – tourists have been fined for this in the not too distant past. With regards to what are usually described as “public displays of affection”, remember that kissing and fondling in public places will not be accepted. Married couples may hold hands, but anything more than that will cause offence.
Sitting
It may seem silly to Westerners, but sitting in an informal, slouched position could offend local people. Always keep your feet firmly on the ground and avoid crossing your legs, as it is considered to be very rude to show the soles of your feet.
Hand Gestures
Hand gestures are not used in the United Arab Emirates, and using your hand to attract someone’s attention could seriously upset them. Also remember to eat with your right hand, as the left hand is considered unclean by Muslims.
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