Dubai: Etiquette

Dubai- Unwritten rules/guidelines to etiquette

• Unless you are sure that they drink alcohol, do not offer alcoholic drinks to an Arab.

• Keep your feet firmly placed on the ground and do not cross your legs.

• Always use your right hand for eating and drinking. In this part of the world, the left hand is considered to be unclean.

• Do not show the soles of your feet or shoes. People here consider this gesture as implying that you take the other person as equivalent to ‘dirt’.

• Do not walk in front of a person at prayer.

• Do not step on a prayer mat.

• Do not stare at a praying person.

• Do not enter a mosque without prior permission.

• Do not summon people with a finger. This is considered impolite.

• Do not eat, drink or smoke in public during Ramadan (especially important for holiday makers).

• Do not engage in public displays of affection.

• Avoid aggressive behavior at all times.

• Avoid any recourse to blasphemy, especially in the presence of Muslims.

For more etiquette suggestions for Dubai, check this out. It is also important to remember that even though Dubai is located in the Middle East, and it is, of course, important not to offend anyone of that culture, it's population is also made up of a variety of different people from a variety of different cultures. Some view Dubai as a strictly Muslim state while others view it as one of the most liberal states in the world with a mixing bowl of other nations.


A special thanks to the Dubai travelogue.