Things not to do in Dubai are shaped by its status as a global melting pot, where people from over 100 nations live while respecting local customs. Also, every year, millions of tourists embark on a Dubai tour, bringing along their own customs, practices, and cultural gestures to the city. Glitz, glamour, and cosmopolitanism ooze from every pour of Dubai.
However, underneath all that shining pomp, Dubai is essentially a city that is conservative at heart. It takes its culture & religion quite seriously. So, while you can let your hair down & frolic around in Dubai, there are certain things you should not be seen doing while you are here. Read on to know more about 11 things not to do in Dubai.
1)Â Â Be sure to be appropriately dressed
Highly westernized as it might seem, dressing modestly is still expected, and revealing outfits are among the things not to do in Dubai in public places. Women are expected to be modestly dressed in public places like malls, theatres, beaches, markets, and religious places. If you are a woman, avoid wearing tight clothes and also those that reveal too much skin. Loose-fitting clothes are the best bet & also suitable for the weather. Beachwear like bikinis are strict no-nos for women unless it’s a private beach.
Men have it much easier and can wear shorts in public – provided the shorts touch the knees. Avoid wearing vests & ensure that at least your shoulders are covered.
2)Â Â No public display of affection (PDA) please
This is absolutely forbidden in Dubai. You might be having a whale of a time in Dubai with your better half – but stop displaying that delight by hugging or kissing him/her in public. Even holding hands in public is frowned upon and is one of the key things not to do in Dubai to respect local customs and cultural norms. Violating these rules can land you behind bars – a most unwelcome proposition on a holiday. So, save those intimate moments for your hotel room.
3)  Don’t use your left hand for greeting
Using the left hand – for greeting, eating in public, handing over something, opening doors, etc. – is strictly taboo in Dubai. Before the advent of Western-style toilets, the left hand was traditionally used for ablutions, making eating or greeting with it one of the things not to do in Dubai. Hence, the left hand still carries the stigma of being unclean! If you are a left-handed person – try and be somewhat ambidextrous, at least while in public places in Dubai.
4)Â Â Be careful when carrying medicines
The UAE’s anti-drug policy is strictly enforced, making drug possession or use one of the most serious things not to do in Dubai. This means that quite a few medicines that are allowed in your country may be illegal in the UAE. Anti-anxiety drugs are an example. Airports in UAE are on high alert for checking medicines that are unaccepted in the country. And if you are found carrying any such drug, you might end up behind bars! So, don’t forget to carry the prescription for every medicine that you are carrying with you.
5)  Don’t click photos without permission
Dubai is a city with endless opportunities for shutterbugs. However, while you are clicking away to glory, be sure to keep in mind the local sensibilities. Don’t take pictures of locals without taking their consent, especially if it involves women & kids. Taking their photos without their consent can land you in serious trouble.
6)  Don’t swear in public
Be very careful with your choice of words in public in Dubai. Using cuss words is a strict no-no in public in Dubai. It offends local sensibilities and can land you in serious trouble. So, save all the profanities & slang for usage behind closed doors in your hotel! And be careful not to say anything derogatory towards Islam or Muslims. You would be inviting serious troubles!
7)Â Â Be sure not to carry prohibited items
Don’t carry any material with you that has adult content – like books or movies. Also, refrain from carrying articles that originate in Israel or have anti-Islamic content. Also, pork is a banned item in Islamic countries. So, if you are carrying food items with you, make sure they don’t contain pork, as bringing such items is one of the things not to do in Dubai.
8)Â Â Avoid hand gestures while driving
The latest cars burn the roads in Dubai – and you might also be tempted to rent one & amp up the thrill quotient. You are welcome to do so – but refrain from using rude hand gestures. Showing the middle finger or similar gestures – while might be acceptable in Europe & US – is considered extremely rude in Dubai and the other Gulf countries. So, if something angers you while driving in the city, avoid aggressive reactions-road rage is among the serious things not to do in Dubai.
9)Â Â No eating during Ramadan in public places
If you are visiting Dubai during the holy Ramadan, please be aware – it’s completely forbidden to eat, drink, and smoke in public, from dawn to dusk. Muslims in the city – like everywhere else – fast during this time, so eating in public offends their sensibilities. And you can’t have a bite even in your car. So, those hunger pangs have to be satiated only behind the closed doors of your hotel room. However, children, pregnant women, and diabetics are exempt from this rule.
10)Â No staying in the same room unless you are married
It’s illegal for people of two genders to stay in a hotel room unless they are married. Cohabitation can lead you to behind bars. So, if you’re traveling to the city with your boyfriend or girlfriend, be aware that sharing a room without marriage is among the things not to do in Dubai.
11)Â Be respectful to the royal family in public
The Emiratis are very sensitive about the ruling family – and you better be the same! at least, while in public places in Dubai. Do not criticize royalty, local customs, laws, and politics. Also, since Dubai is a kingdom, do not voice your preferences for democracy in public in Dubai. It is frowned upon – and can also land you in trouble.
