06 January 2009 07:12 GMT
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As the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and one of the wealthiest cities on earth, Abu Dhabi has an air of laid-back self-assurance that contrasts somewhat with the fast-paced lifestyle of its rapidly-growing neighbour Dubai.
If Dubai is a place where the young and trendy dance all night in crowded clubs, then Abu Dhabi is the place where the distinguished businessman sips cognac in a discreet corner of a classy bar. Everything about Abu Dhabi, home to most of the UAE’s oil, oozes the kind of affluence you don’t have to flaunt.
Although its tree-lined avenues and glass office towers give Abu Dhabi the feel of a modern city, it is worth remembering that Islam, the official religion, prohibits the consumption of alcohol and demands modest attire.
While alcohol is served in international hotels, it is not available in shops or supermarkets and independent restaurants and cafes are almost all unlicensed. For short-stay visitors, the duty free section of the Abu Dhabi International Airport is the last place to stock up on off-the-shelf booze.
Foreigners working in Abu Dhabi outnumber the nationals, making for a cosmopolitan ambience where different cultures mix freely, and the city plays host to international music concerts, art exhibitions and this year launched its own film festival.
But with a relatively higher proportion of Emiratis living in Abu Dhabi, the capital has a more conservative feel than Dubai. You are less likely to see scantily-clad clubbers in Abu Dhabi and loud, drunken behaviour is considered vulgar and unseemly.
Local ladies dress from head to toe in a black cloak or abaya to shield their bodies from prying eyes, but mingling in the same shopping centres you will notice women clad in shorts and dresses or flaunting revealing necklines.
You can wear pretty much whatever you like in Abu Dhabi, but bear in mind the venue. Shorts are fine for the beach, skirts for shopping, and dresses are fine in restaurants, but if you plan to venture into traditional bazaars, walk round the city streets or look around a mosque, it is wiser to stick to jeans or loose, modest clothing.
Ladies, you can wear bikinis on Abu Dhabi’s public beaches, but unwanted male attention, particularly in more exposed areas, may make you feel uncomfortable. You may feel more at ease at the hotel beach or pool. And no matter how deserted the beach may seem, topless sunbathing for ladies is a definite no-no.
Arabic is the official language but with people from such diverse backgrounds mingling in Abu Dhabi, English is the default language of communication. Street and shop signs are marked in both Arabic and English. Any shop you go into or phone number you call, you are almost sure to find someone who can answer your queries in English. Hindi, Farsi, Urdu and Tagalog are also widely spoken.
Friday is the Muslim day of rest, so the working week runs from Sunday to Thursday. The public sector and most businesses, with the exception of shops and restaurants, are closed on Friday and many also close on Saturday.
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