Dubai Culture Facts You Need To Know

In recent years, Dubai has been known for its extraordinary contemporary architecture, including the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, housing luxury hotels, offices, and apartments. Dubai culture is a diverse convergence of manners and customs and lifestyles typical of The United Arab Emirates. For many visitors, it is therefore a bit of a culture shock when they arrive here.

Dubai culture in communication

The majority of people in Dubai are Muslim, you should pay attention to the rules of conduct to avoid trouble when communicating.

Handshake in communication

In Dubai, shaking hands with a person of the opposite sex is taboo. If you are a man, you should not strike hands with women, except when they extend their hands to show they want to shake hands first. A woman who offers her hand might not consider it a friendly gesture and will be refused by a male considered. Visitors can put their hand over your heart with a brief nod and a smile as an alternative greeting.

Not shaking hands with the opposite sex is a Dubai culture in communication

However, shaking hands is very popular among men. It is not a firm grasp in most western countries, the UAE handshake is a soft touch.

Languages in Dubai

The official language in the UAE as well as in Dubai is Arabic. There are more than 200 different nationalities living in Dubai, so English has become the predominant language used. So, even if you do not know Arabic, you can still easily communicate in Dubai. The signs or menus are also in English for visitors to understand easily.

In particular, you can also search for jobs with your English. This is also the factor that makes Dubai one of the locations with the largest number of immigrants in the world.

You can communicate in English in Dubai

Dubai culture of religious beliefs

Dubai's Citizens are predominantly Sunni Muslims and all social and political matters are driven by Sharia (Islamic) law. Therefore, cathedrals appear in many places in Dubai. Devotees will come to the mosque to pray 5 times a day. 

However, Dubai accords religious freedom to the expatriate population. These religions primarily include Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Even if Islam prevails here, other religious activities are still very developed. Temples and pagodas are still legally built and carry out religious activities every day. This has created diversity in the religious culture of the Dubai people.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque - is one of the most beautiful religious monuments in the UAE.

Muslims are not allowed to convert from Islam and there are repercussions for those who actively try and encourage Muslims to convert to a different religion. Any act that offends Islam will be punished by imprisonment and criminal prosecution. Even being deported out of Dubai.

Costumes in Dubai

Be it a man or a woman, politeness and modesty are the hallmarks of Dubai's culture of clothing. Most men and women wear clothes from head to toe, symbolizing modesty and conservativeness.

Women are seen wearing the Abaya, a traditional long black cloak paired generally with a Niqab and Gafaaz. Women also wear a Burqa, an outer clothing piece that covers their whole body and face when heading out in public.

Men in Dubai generally wear a long, white, and loose-fitting robe called the Kandura, the length of which often determines the person’s status. The Kandura gets typically paired up with a headscarf known as Ghutrah, tied in various styles.

Men's and women's clothing in Dubai

Visitors need not follow the local dress code and can wear modest clothing in most places. However, the general rule here is that visitors should cover everything from shoulders to knees. Do not wear tight clothing or see-through clothing. Women should not wear sleeveless tops. Visitors should be careful about the dress code so as not to violate the dress code in Dubai.

Dubai food culture

Dubai rigidly prohibited drinking in public places. Violations will be administratively fined or imprisoned, depending on the severity and number of violations. In Dubai, people are only allowed to drink alcohol in licensed places.

In addition, Dubai culture will consider your refusal to invite food and drink as disrespectful behavior. Therefore, when offered tea, coffee, or food, you should not refuse. Thank them and welcome them with sincerity.

Dubai's dishes

When eating, the people of Dubai only use the right hand. Because they believe that the left hand is unclean. When you have the opportunity to eat with local people, you should pay attention to using your right hand to invite or pick up food. If you are left-handed, you should make it clear to everyone in advance and ask permission for this inconvenience.

Cuisine in Dubai is very diverse and rich because Dubai has a unique culinary culture that is harmoniously mixed with many countries around the world. Many traditional dishes of the people here are capable of attracting millions of tourists. Typically: Dates, camel meat, Shuwa, Harees...

Dubai residents' living habits

Dubai law prohibits acts that affect the habits and customs of public places. Such as:

• Do not show intimate gestures, including holding hands, especially during the month of Ramadan.
• Do not use rude gestures or swear in public, it can get you in serious trouble.
• Smoking is not allowed in elevators or air-conditioned places, if you violate you will be fined a lot of money.
• Do not share a hotel room with someone of the opposite sex who is not your spouse unless it is a parent or child. Violations will result in jail time.

Learning about the Dubai culture will save you from unwanted trouble

Traditional festivals in Dubai

Dubai is known for its monumental and unique buildings in the world. In addition, Dubai is also an ideal tourist destination with many attractive festivals and events.

Dubai Shopping Festival 

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is one of the most exciting and greatest festivals in Dubai. Now, DSF attracts up to 3 million visitors from around the globe every year. The duration of DSF is mostly one month, during which one finds big sales in the stores for almost any item (up to 70% to 90% off for branded items).

Besides,  there are many food-related events organized, concerts, game shows, parades, ramp walks, etc. happening in every mall, and fireworks going up every night for the duration of the festival at Creek Park. 

Dubai Shopping Festival

National Day Festival

The National Day celebration is one of the flamboyantly celebrated festivals in Dubai. This day is the anniversary of the 7 Emirates getting nationalized by coming together to form the present United Arab Emirates. 

In Dubai, this day is commemorated by splendid events that will be organized throughout the city. Amazing entertainment shows are arranged at The Burj Khalifa, The La Mer Beach, Global Village,... 

National Day Festival is one of the important festivals in Dubai

Ramadan in Dubai

The Holy Month of Ramadan is also a feature of Dubai culture. Ramadan is a month of fasting for Muslims, that serves to help in spiritual growth through practicing self-control, abstinence, and patience. Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking from sunrise to sunset and practice controlling their desires and bad habits to reflect on life and find balance. 

It is prohibited to eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public, during Ramadan days in Dubai. It is considered offensive and can be punishable by up to one month in jail and a fine of up to AED 2000. The rule applies to everyone, irrespective of faith.

Ramadan religious festival in Dubai

Most restaurants are closed during the daytime in Ramadan, you will be required to abstain from eating and drinking in public from dawn to dusk. But after this, you are in for a treat, as Dubai’s culinary scene comes to life like nowhere else, with dedicated Ramadan night fairs, special Iftar tents, and discount shopping. 

Above is information about life in Dubai. Hopefully, through this article, you will have an overview of Dubai culture, as well as some notes on communication and behavior to easily integrate into life here. Let's travel to Dubai to enjoy a luxurious vacation in this country!