Dubai is a great place to work and stay with the family. As many expatriate people work here, it has a multicultural and multiethnic society where more than 200 nationalities and 35 religious faiths exist in harmony. Though Dubai has a tolerance toward other religions and cultures - relative to other Middle East countries- it is predominantly an Islam culture. Cultural awareness can avoid many troubles and make your stay comfortable. The following tips would help you to understand and avoid inappropriate behavior in Dubai.
Respect for Islam
You have to avoid blasphemy in Dubai. Though it is a multicultural and multiethnic society, majority of the people are Muslim. They do not like others to criticize Islam. You may be from another religious faith, and you may not agree with Islam. It may be possible to discuss those differences openly in your country. You have to avoid criticism of Islam in Dubai. If you commit blasphemy, you are likely face trouble.
You also must respect the people who are praying. Muslims pray 5 times a day. There are lots of mosques in Dubai, and there is a separate room for praying in many office buildings. Still you can see many people pray in open places. It is common to see workers stop their work and pray on their mats. You should not disturb them by stepping their mats or walking in front of them.
You should also avoid entering mosque. Muslims do not like non Muslims to enter their places of worship. If you want to visit a mosque, you must go with a Muslim friend. Your friend can advise you about appropriate behavior at mosque.
You should be careful about the consumption of alcohol. According to Islamic law, alcohol is prohibited. However, alcohol is available in approved restaurants, hotels, and clubs. You cannot buy liquor from shops or carry it in your car without a licence. Expatriate workers can apply for a licence, but you should not drink in public place and drive after intoxication. Irrespective of the amount you have taken, police would punish you if they found you are drunk.
Similarly use of narcotic is a serious offence, and it will result in life imprisonment.
Appropriate Behaviour
You must also know how to deal with local people. You should not let down them when you interact with them. Specially, you should not denounce them in the presence of other local people. They take it very seriously. Even a simple joke can lead to great misunderstanding.
You should avoid pointing fingers at others. Local people consider it as a great disrespect. It may be a normal gesture in other cultures, and it does not necessary mean disregard. In many occasions expatriate workers were jailed for directing fingers at local citizens.
Another thing you have to avoid is the aggressive behaviour. There may be several reasons to get frustrated and angry. You will find things are moving slower than you expect, so it natural to get angry and frustrated, but you must control it. Display of aggressiveness would not bring you any benefit as it is considered as an indecency.
You should not use your left hand to give or take things. The use of left had is considered as indecent. You must use your right hand to exchange things.
You should avoid eating in public place during the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims fast from morning to evening during this period. If someone eats in the presence of fasting people, it makes an urge in them to eat. However, there are many restaurants and hotels for non Muslims where they serve the meal in enclosed locations. Non-Muslims can take food from them.
You also should avoid public displaying of affection such as kissing and hugging in Dubai. Local people consider the embracing of opposite sex as a public indecency though it is acceptable in some cultures. Generally, local people report such behaviours to the police if they see it; then police will charge you. Similarly, sex outside marriage is illegal.
You must wear appropriate dress. Dubai has imposed a dress cord according to the Islamic traditions. Ladies should wear long skirt with appropriate length and cover their shoulders without exposing their body indecently. You can wear bikini and swim suit in beaches, but you cannot wear them in public places. You cannot go topless even in beaches. Dubai does not expect you to dress like a local person, but it expects you to wear appropriately to Islamic culture.
When you understand and respect rules and traditions of Islamic culture, you can avoid troubles in Dubai.
Keerthi Illangaratna is a freelance writer based in Dubai.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keerthi_Illangaratna
