Essential Dos and Don’ts During Your Trip to Dubai – Respect the Local Culture & Avoid Mishaps

You will find that public displays of affection are prohibited in Dubai and could even get you arrested. Even holding hands is only considered acceptable amongst married couples. Therefore, it would be advisable to avoid any physical interaction with your partner until you return to your hotel room.

If your visit to Dubai coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, it would be advisable to do some research on how to act and behave during this period. At this time of the year, you may not eat, drink or smoke in public during the daytime since it's when Muslims are engaged in the daily fast.

Although foreign women are not required to attire themselves in a burqa, they should still demonstrate modesty in their dress. You will find that shopping malls would often require certain dress codes that visitors must adhere to. Additionally, men should not go about bare-chested except at the beach. Also, women are expected to don a headscarf whilst visiting places of worship. However, when staying at a private Dubai resort, the expected dress code is more relaxed and such accommodation options to consider would be Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort.

Since Islam happens to be a religion based on respect, you will find that if you behave humbly and respectfully, the locals will greet you politely and extend warm hospitality.

In Dubai, narcotic drugs are totally prohibited and illegal and being found with them will land you in serious trouble. Additionally, you should keep in mind that this rule will also apply to certain prescription medications; therefore, you should carry out some research to check whether your medications are legal in Dubai.

You will find that consumption of alcohol happens to be prohibited for the Muslim locals of Dubai. However, non-Muslims may buy alcohol at licensed restaurants, bars and hotels. That said, you should take care not to over-indulge as acting in a disorderly manner in public happens to be illegal.

In Dubai, it will be thought of as rude to photograph someone without first asking permission. You should be particularly careful when snapping photographs of Emirati women.

Using foul language and cursing are regarded as being an offence in Dubai. In fact, there have been foreigners who have landed themselves in hot water by uttering vulgar statements while being near a police officer in undercover attire. Therefore, it would be very advisable to keep your language clean when in Dubai.

According to Muslim norms, the left hand would be reserved for bodily hygiene which makes it regarded as being unclean. Therefore, you should take care not to greet someone or shake hands with the left hand. Similarly, you should also not be seen eating with your left hand.