People traveling through Dubai - Esp. with family

texstyle

I noticed Sal's Europe trip and mention of staying in Dubai a few nights. I looked it up and see that many Australians are landing there due to Quantas flights to Europe making a stop there first. So I got to wondering, how do you deal with the very strict cultural rules when visiting this place? I would fear one of my family members (if not myself) would be jailed for some minor offense such as holding hands in public!

I personally find it odd that women in particular feel comfortable visiting a place where women's rights are so restricted. How do you know what you "can" and "can't" do? I found this information and it didn't make me feel any more relaxed about it.

http://www.traveller.com.au/do.....over-2grsc

6 years ago

Off Topic

13 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Women restricted in Dubai? Parts of it are like Vegas, but more!

I have a friend who lived & worked there for a few years. There is a huge expat community, people from around the world, there. She said that occasionally you'd hear about someone being kicked out for saying something negative about the emir, but it was rare & she didn't worry about it.

I didn't know about the airline you mentioned. Emirates airlines will let you have up to a 3-day layover there, free of charge.

ETA: From your post:

The drinking age is 21. Drinking in public or being drunk in public are not tolerated.

Offensive language, spitting, aggressive behaviour and smoking outside designated areas are not tolerated.

Public displays of affection such as holding hands or kissing are not tolerated.

It is customary for men to shake hands however Emirati women tend not to offer their hands to men.

Men should avoid staring at local women or attempting to make eye contact.

During Ramadan while Muslims are fasting from dawn to dusk,
non-Muslims can only eat and drink in screened-off areas in many
hotels and restaurants.

Wear respectful clothing. Swimwear is appropriate by the pool or on
the beach but frowned on elsewhere. Low-cut dresses or tops, short
skirts and short dresses are not recommended in public.

Men should wear a T-shirt or shirt at all times

I don't think those are things my friend is likely to do anyway.

6 years ago

Jules

Veteran

Dubai? Considered very safe and relatively ‘liberal’ by the standards of the area, I believe. Not at all comparable to travel to Saudi Arabia or Iran. I know many moslem and Hindu couples who love visiting there en route to India from Canada. ‘Best mix of East and West’ is a recent quote from a co worker, who would love to go work there some day. On the other hand as a vegetarian and non-drinker she didn’t particularly love going to a conference in Vegas. She is a strong-willed professional I would not consider oppressed in any way, but perhaps has different expectations of what makes a fun trip (but frankly, as a woman I don’t like it myself when tech conferences are held in Vegas).
I’d love to see Dubai myself some day, although much like Vegas I think it’d be a one-time thing - not that into the super built up luxury manufactured fun thing. I do think of it as Vegas for people who don’t drink or gamble.

6 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I am going to be interested in heading to Dubai TexStyle. I did email my relative that we are staying with to check about dress. They have lived there for 10 years so should be able to give me good advice. We know a few people who have lived there as Expats as teachers, lawyers, nurses etc.. I have heard one or two horror stories but my understanding in general that they want tourists to visit - so I would have to be foolish or disrespectful to get into trouble. Or maybe just very unlucky - but that is true of anywhere....

It is interesting visiting places with different rules or expectations to what you have at home. It has been a while since I went to the Middle East so I am out of touch and will be wary of course - I tend to err on the cautious side wrt clothing and customs - regardless of my own views on the matter.

I will report back for sure!!

6 years ago

anne

Veteran

I've never been myself, but yes, it is a popular stopover for Australians, and has a large expat community. People seem to manage.

6 years ago

Anonymous

I'll look forward to hearing about Sal's experience.

6 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I've been to Dubai. It's like a theme park. Fake Arabia. No need to worry much about culture mores. On the other hand, I'm passing through there on my way to Saudi Arabia on Sunday. I will be wearing an abaya (black cloak) every day over my clothes. I couldn't bring my boyfriend with me even if he wanted to come, since we aren't married.

6 years ago

Gretchen

Veteran

i just had my first visit to Dubai last month. This was a work trip, but we were staying at more of a resort-style hotel, where it seemed like most of the attendees were European. I was v surprised when I checked in and the staff made a point of highlighting which were the best malls to visit.

Since this was a work trip, I had planned for pretty conservative/formal dress, but again found at the conference a wide range of clothing choices - from women in abaya to women in form fitting pencil skirts.

My $.02 when traveling to a new culture - go with the conservative interpretation, but be prepared to lighten up once you actually get there and see how the people who live there interact and behave.

6 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I received a message from the family we are staying with. She advises it is respectful to cover shoulders and knees when out and about although not strictly necessary.

6 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Sal, how does that compare with advice you're getting about Italy?

6 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Gretchen, said.

I've been to Dubai many times. It looks like Vegas! You see it all, and you'll be fine, Sal and Tex. I guess I never thought about it because I always cover shoulders and knees.

6 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks.

Fashintern - I think visiting cathedrals and the Vatican I will be wearing a long skirt or culottes and a covered up top - so similar..... but not necessary in Italy for wandering around towns or cafes. As it is spring I don't think I will be that bare anyway.

6 years ago

Jules

Veteran

In Thailand as well women cover their shoulders. I could spot western tourists from quite a distance by bare shoulders alone.
There are plenty of things we culturally don’t do or wear in public in North America as well and even different standards from place to place (Manhattan vs rural Mississippi) or misunderstandings (flip flops to the White House). We just accept the ones we have internalized as ‘normal’.

6 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Dubai is definitely a less restrictive city than other parts of the Middle East. I would not fret at all. When we were there (granted it was only for 24 hours), I saw people dressed pretty similarly to how they would dress in any other hot location. I wore a long midi skirt and a sleeveless top and sandals to walk around and go to dinner and no one seemed scandalized in the least. It is a bit like Las Vegas but without the gambling and strip clubs. They are all about the shopping malls! And huge amounts of development.

I know lots of people love Vegas, but for me it is a perfect airport city as a pass-through for my desert hiking/camping photo trips — cheap flights and rental cars, a good REI store, and just enough to occupy me for a final afternoon and evening before I fly home. Cheap hotel rooms, good restaurants, a little shopping and some fun if touristy experiences (zip lining over Fremont St, the Neon Museum). I’m not a big partier and I don’t like gambling.

6 years ago

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