Dubai Etiquette


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One of Dubai’s most popular beach hotels has issued guests with an “etiquette guide” after two Britons were convicted for having sex on the beach near the hotel. Because of the extensive media coverage of the situation, visitors to the Emirate have become more concerned about the perception and the correctness of their behavior.

A spokeperson for a five star hotels dubai reported recently that there has been an increase in the requests for etiquette guidelines in the Emirate. The hotel has created information cards which are distributed throughout the hotel. They are also purposely available during all social gatherings of Westerners. They are designed to explain the local customs and culture in Dubai. The free information cards advise on the etiquette of public displays of affection, acceptable dress code, the use of alcohol and other social behaviors. There are warnings as to the probability of arrest if these social contracts are broken.

Guests were advised to “employ discretion” in expressing affection publicly, with “anything more than a peck on the cheek” likely to result in police involvement. Regarding the consumption of alcohol, the etiquette guide warns: that drinking is not a part of Muslim culture and alcohol is not served openly. Drunken behavior, especially outside licensed premises in the local hotels, is severely punished.”

Two British citizens were convicted last month of having sexual relations outside marriage and offending public decency. They were arrested after attending brunch at a hotel near Dubai airport. They each received three-month jail sentences, were fined £200 for drunkenness and ordered to be deported from Dubai upon their release. More than 230 other British citizens were arrested in the UAE last year.

Given the new image and popularity of Dubai as being the Emirate’s recreation playground, it is critical that Westerners understand and comply with the local customs and culture. It is reported that more than one million British citizens visited Dubai last year, with twice as many expatriates now living in the Emirate.

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Thursday, April 16th, 2009 Travel

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