What are some unwritten rules everyone should know before going to Dubai?

Derrick Parker

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Lived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2018–2019) Updated 5y

What are some unwritten rules everyone should know before going to Dubai?

The main unwritten rule in Dubai is: Keep yourself low profile! Don’t be scandalous. Don’t get too much attention to yourself if you are doing something that is not allowed to do. Police will leave you alone.

Examples:

Law: Forbidden to buy liquor without license.

Reality: There are lot of liquor stores that don’t ask for the license. Can the police get you with alcohol in your home without a license? They could, but actually they don't, they have more important things to do.

Law: No prostitution.

Reality: So many prostitutes, half of Tinder is with prostitutes, “massage” spas.

Bars are packed with prostitutes. You approach them at the bars thinking they are normal girls and at some moment they will give you their price.

Law: Sex only permitted within marriage.

Reality: People are going to clubs and having one night stands.

Law: Men and women don’t live together unless they are married or family.

Reality: People do live together, even not married. The neighbors don’t care. Again, don’t make scandals, don’t create problems.

Law: No homosexuality.

Reality: You see them everywhere, men with VERY GAY clothes. No one bats an eye. Surprised?

Law: No kissing in public space.

Reality: No one really kisses. Of course, you see signs of affection, kiss on the cheek on the lips, but they are fast. This way, if it is respectful, no one cares. Sometimes in clubs does happen a few sessions of “heavy kissing” but the bouncers will ask you to stop, otherwise you will be kicked out.

Law: No drinking alcohol or looking drunk in public spaces, except inside hotel restaurants, bars and clubs.

Reality: People follow this one. It would really scandalous doing things like that.

Of course, some people find a way to drink in public, but with discretion. And not getting drunk.

Some people do get drunk in clubs, if they don’t create problems, the max that can happen is being asked to leave. Sometimes even fights are ignored. But if someone decides to call the police, you are in real trouble.

And actually there is no rule about provocative clothes. The women here (foreigners) they can be dressed in a way that even in Sao Paulo, Brazil, it would be considered too much. But is not forbidden, except in mosques. Just have common sense.

Those are a few examples of the main idea. Have fun, but don’t get yourself in problematic situations, especially with other people not involved in your stuff.