Etiquette in Dubai

Dubai has developed over the last few decades as a destination business professionals around the world often meet to engage in negotiations.

Dubai is now the largest re exporting centre in The Middle East.

However Dubai is not only a working destination hotspot it is also a perfect family holiday location with everything from water parks to some of the world's most amazing shopping. There really is something for everyone in Dubai.

Greeting strangers socially in Dubai

• Marhaba iss me - means hello my name is........ then put your name
• Always use your right hand to shake as your left hand is consedered not as clean
• Do not hold eye contact with or stare at a woman
• Never ask a man about his famale family members
• Always accept any food or drink that is offered to you
• Always accept any small gift that is offered to you

Greeting strangers in business

• When doing business in Dubai it is appropriate to shake hands with your right hand only as your left hand is considered not as clean
• It is not appropriate for men to shake hands with a woman unless her hand extends first
• It is important to dress conservatively in Dubai especially when involved in business
• It is appropriate to stand up for new guests, especially older people and those of a higher status
• Men are expected to stand when a woman enters a room
• After meeting it is important to enquire about eachother's health and get to know eachother before getting into the business
• Do not cross your legs infront of important guests or officials

Business Dining Etiquette in Dubai

It is important to follow these leads whilst dining in Dubai...

• If you are meeting others for your dining in Dubai be sure not too be late, if this cannot be avoided make sure you make your fellow diners aware
• Dress conservatively it is not appropriate for woman to wear low cut tops, short skirts or show bare arms
• Decide before hand how the bill will be paid
• Tip 15% for moderate service and 20% for excellent service
• After you are seated unfold your napkin and place this on your lap, fold it in half and place the folded half by your waist
• Turn off all electronic devices while dining
• Be sure you hold correct posture
• Keep your elbows off the table
• Avoid finger foods, order meals that require the use of a knife and fork, chopsticks or other utensils
• Wait until everyone else is eating before you start
• Eat your meal in small bites and try to finish around the same time as everyone else
• If soup is on the menu, stir around the edge of the bowl instead of blowing on it, sip from the spoon avoid placing the whole spoon in your mouth
• If bread is in the shape of a loaf, tear it with your hands do not use a knife
• After finishing your meal, your napkin should be placed to the left of your plate, your knife and fork should be placed on your plate in the 5 o'clock position. This will show the waiter you have finished your meal. Some tips to avoid while dining in Dubai
  • Do not rush the arrival of a client, wait at least 15 minutes before checking your client’s status.
  • Avoid placing bags, briefcases or other accessories on the table.
  • Do not move the dining utensils from how they were set up for you, even if you are left handed.
  • Do not order expensive meals at business meals, do not order alcohol at business meals either as this could cause embarrassment or may be offensive.
  • Do not apply makeup at the table.
  • Do not talk with your mouth full, do not bite on ice.
  • Do not slurp drinks or soup, and avoid making noises whilst chewing food.
  
  Discussing business over a meal is considered acceptable etiquette, lunch meetings are scheduled more often than dinner, as business people in Dubai like to be finished by 5pm. Proper etiquette is to hand out your business cards with Arabic translation, so your business partners have no trouble reading them. Translators are accepted at business meetings in Dubai, however do your research as some companies do not allow female translators.
  It is considered not appropriate to schedule work meetings on a Friday in Dubai as Fridays are considered a day of prayer and rest. Neither is it appropriate to call Arab business professionals on this day to discuss business. Business meetings are not to be scheduled between 2pm and 5pm in Dubai as this is the time for people in Dubai to take Siestas.
  During a meeting in Dubai it is considered not appropriate to check watches or any wireless devices as this is considered rude and sends the message the business person is board.
  Standard Business hours in Dubai are Sunday through to Thursday 8am till 5pm unless a nap is being taken.
  
  Social Etiquette in Dubai
  • When offered a drink always say yes, as saying no would be rejecting someone’s hospitality. Be careful not to compliment Arabian people’s possessions as they may then offer them to you and saying no may become a problem.
  • Shaking hands is appropriate etiquette always using your right hand as this is considered the cleanest hand, having your hand held for a longer period of time is a sign of brotherly bonding, your hand may even be held while walking down a corridor, this is not a sign of homosexuality.
  • Houses quite often have separate living areas so as if you visit a man’s home you do not socialise with the woman.
  • Men should not talk to professional woman in public, unless this is business related. Men should not reach out to shake a UAE national woman’s hand unless she reaches out her hand first. Do not flirt, touch or hug in public, do .not stare at a woman or hold eye contact with her.
  • Do not ask a Arab man about his wife or any other female member of his family.
  • You must avoid taking photos of Arab woman when in Dubai.
  • Live in relationships are forbidden by law.
  • Some public places have marked Muslim and non Muslim areas, these must be respected.
  • Eating, drinking and smoking are strictly forbidden in public during the holy month Ramadan. This is one of the largest events for Muslims all over the world. During this month all day light hours are dedicated to fasting and praying to God
  • Unless you know for sure whether a native from Dubai drinks alcohol it is best not to offer them any, as this could offend them..
  • Public displays of affection are not permitted in Dubai, you can be arrested and jailed as per the law.
  
  Dress code in Dubai
  Everyone is expected to dress modestly, woman should avoid low cut tops, short skirts and showing their bare arms. Men and woman should only wear swimwear or bikinis while at the beach or swimming. Woman do not have to wear the Abaya a traditional Arabic dress, as long as their westernised clothing is not revealing. In the more traditional Emirates, the Ab’a (black robe that covers a dress) and a Shailah (headscarf) are worn. In Abu Dhabi woman will commonly wear the Burga to cover their faces. Traditional clothing for men includes the dishdasha (a white robe and a white head covering known as a Kitra. Children usually wear both westernised and traditional clothing for men includes the dishdasha (a white robe and a white head covering known as a Kitra. Children usually wear both westernised and traditional clothing
  Driving in Dubai
  It is not allowed in Dubai for swearing and/or rude hand gestures while driving in forms of road rage, this can lead to a jail term if convicted.
  Shopping in Dubai
  Normal Dubai shopping hours are from 9am till 1pm and 4pm till 9pm or later in some cases, some residential boutiques open around 9:30 or 10am, shopping malls are generally open 10am till 10pm. Some supermarkets stay open till late at night 7 days a week and some are open 24/7. Shops close on Fridays for prayer from 11:30am till 1:30pm, most are open on Friday evenings until late.
  Dubai shopping offers something for everyone, while also known for their competitively priced electronics, popular traditional gifts are...
  • Antique silver jewellery
  • Arabic coffee pots
  • Prayer beads
  • Soapstone figures
  • Silver and brass swords and Khanjars ( Arabic curved daggers)
  • Coasters, letter racks, jewellery boxes, chests etc
  • Marble goblets
  • Persian carpets
  • Inlaid rosewood and walnut furniture.
  
  The Dubai Shopping Festival is held in January and February and is one of the largest events in Dubai, there is entertainment for the kids, street fairs and fireworks every night along with traditional performances and cultural activities, it is known for its crazy discounted prices, promotions, city wide sales and raffles which include Porches as the prize. Held in the winter months it is also high season so accommodation is at its peak in price and you need to book in advance.
  The Dubai Shopping Festival was so popular there is now a summer held equivalent which is called Dubai Summer Suprises, held annually from June until August it is more family orientated than the winter festival as this is during school holidays, hotels are at their lowest prices, the only downside is it’s a sweltering 45 degrees during these months though it has been called an experience.
  Shopping Malls in Dubai
  Dubai has some amazing shopping malls, and they are also used for socialising not just shopping, with some including movie theatres, bowling alley, gyms, spas, beauty salons, coffee shops, art galleries, child care centres and mosques.
  One mall that stands out is The Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest shopping malls in the world, not only does it have the best selection of department stores, boutiques, exclusive designer stores, shoe and accessory stores, art galleries, movie theatre, it also has Ski Dubai, a indoor ski slope and after a busy day of shopping, movie watching and skiing there is a selection of the finest restaurants to rest up in and enjoy some Arabic cuisine. Dubai’s malls really do have something for everyone.
  Dubai Markets (Sougs)
  These are not as swanky as Dubai’s malls but these aren’t just for the tourists, they are for locals as well to shop for everyday things. Sougs as they are called sell everything from fake designer bags to stainless steel pot sets and competitively priced digital gear, all at bargain prices. Part of the fun at Dubai’s Sougs is the bargaining, it’s not compulsory if you’re not the bargaining type you can just ask the price of an item and pay that price, however you must realise that will most likely have you paying double the value of the item. Generally to bargain you ask a price, then once given one you then offer 50% of the price you were given, the seller may laugh at you but if you stick to it they will eventually drop their price and you slowly raise yours, ending in a happy sale.
  Dubai’s Best Buys
  The best buys in Dubai are textiles, carpets, gold, spices, perfume, frankincense, incense burners and take home henna kits. Sougs are the place to shop for traditional costume, belly dancing costumes, vibrant fabrics, Aladdin’s slippers, antiques, bronze and copper Aladdin lamps, daggers, silver jewellery, Moroccan lamps, sequinned and beaded cushion covers from India and furniture from Syria.
  Religious Observations
  People of Dubai are mainly of the Islamic faith, Muslims. Islam means active submission to the will of God, Muslims believe Allah and Mohammed are Prophets of God. This religion teaches that Allah controls everything, when making plans in Dubai you will often hear Islamic phrases used. Mohammed was born in Mecca in around 571AD and began to receive revelations at the age of forty, three years later Mohammed started to preach and challenge the local Pagan religions. As a result Mohammed and his followers (Muslims) had to flee the town of Medina in 622AD. Mohammed’s exodus is regarded as the beginning of the Muslim age and therefore year zero, the beginning of the Islamic calendar in the same way Christ’s birth was the beginning of the Christians calendar.
  The Christian bible and the Jewish Torah consist of later writings from a number of individuals, the Holy Koran (Qu’ran) the Muslim equivalent is seen as a direct word from God. Mohammed claimed Christians and Jews altered their Holy books and the message from Kohan is the truth.
  There are five pillars of Islam...
  • Faith (shahada) The belief there is no God but Mohammed and Allah are the prophet of God.
  • Prayer (salah or salat) These represent the prayers from devout Muslims five times a day, these are at dawn, noon, mid afternoon, sunset and nightfall.
  • Charity (zakat) This is the obligatory donation of 2.5% of the value of your assets annually, a sort of tax.
  • Fasting (sawm) The Ramadan fast, where Muslims must fast during all hours of daylight for the entire of this Holy month. This includes eating, drinking, smoking and all sexual activity. At the end of this month the whole community celebrates the break of the fast with a festival.
  • Pilgrimage (Hajj or Haj) Forgiveness for all sins for those who can afford it to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in his life.
  
  The name of a Muslim equivalent of a church is called a Mosque, non Muslims can only visit these on special guided tours of the Jumeirah Mosque, there are some general rules which must be followed in order to participate in one of these tours
  Female visitors must be covered up with long sleeves, a long skirt or pants and a hat or scarf as a head covering, men should also wear long sleeves and long pants.
  Prior to entry of the Jumeirah Mosque visitors must remove their shoes.
  There is more information displayed at the back of the Mosque, it is recommended you arrive early for your tour and read this information to give you a better understanding. Unlike many other Mosques photography is allowed, the tour lasts for around an hour and a half and there is plenty to do locally afterwards, from Souks, beaches, cruises of the Dubai zoo and a water park are some to name.
  
  Facts about Dubai
  Currency United Arab Emirates Dirham
  Capital city: Abu Dhabi.
  The ethnic mix of Dubai comprises Emirati 19 per cent, other Arab and Iranian 23 per cent, South Asian 50 per cent, and other expatriates (includes Europeans and East Asians) 8 per cent.
  Some words to get you started...
  Marhaba –Hello
  Iss me – My name is .........
  Shukran – Thank you