United Arab Emirates's etiquette sensitivity is high — etiquette missteps are commonly noticed and can genuinely offend, so it's worth learning the basics before you go. Most important: Avoid public displays of affection, dress modestly outside resorts, and never eat, drink, or smoke in public during Ramadan daylight hours.
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Avoid public displays of affection, dress modestly outside resorts, and never eat, drink, or smoke in public during Ramadan daylight hours.
United Arab Emirates's etiquette sensitivity is high — etiquette missteps are commonly noticed and can genuinely offend, so it's worth learning the basics before you go
Use your right hand for eating and greeting — the left is considered unclean. Public intoxication and drug possession (including some prescription medications) carry serious legal consequences, not just social disapproval.
A genuine misstep is more likely to be noticed here than in more relaxed destinations, but a good-faith effort and a quick apology go a long way.