06 January 2009 08:31 GMT
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It’s easy to forget - when you are soaking up the sun in your bikini or enjoying a refreshing beer at the bar - that Dubai is actually a Muslim country, and a conservative one at heart.
With foreigners outnumbering the locals by five to one, Dubai is no doubt a multi-cultural city where different religions and cultures mix freely. It is arguably the most liberal city in the conservative Gulf, and people flock from around the region to enjoy its lively nightlife, varied restaurants and regular music concerts and events.
Yet while its highways, skyscrapers and myriad hotels give it a Western feel, it is worth remembering that Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol and demands modest attire.
While alcohol is widely available at bars and nightclubs attached to hotels or resorts, almost all independent restaurants and cafes are unlicensed. Alcoholic drinks are not sold in supermarkets or shops and licensed vendors such as African and Eastern have outlets around the city but only sell to liquor license-holders. These licenses are only available to non-Muslim residents of Dubai so the last opportunity for visitors to buy booze off the shelf is Dubai Duty Free.
Bear in mind that while drinking is allowed, a strict zero tolerance policy is in place for those caught drinking and driving. Also remember that locals may find drinking acceptable but will view drunken behaviour on the streets as grossly disrespectful.
The rules are similar for clothing.
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 teeny shorts and dresses or flaunting revealing necklines.
You can wear pretty much whatever you like in Dubai, but bear in mind the venue. Shorts are fine for beach or shopping, dresses are great for cafes or bars, but if you plan to venture into the crowded traditional bazaars, or to look around a mosque, it is wiser to stick to jeans or loose, modest clothing.
And no matter how deserted the beach may seem, topless sunbathing for ladies is a definite no-no. While bikinis are the norm on public beaches, ladies can often find themselves on the receiving end of unwanted male attention.
Arabic is the official language but with people from such diverse backgrounds mingling in Dubai, 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 in Dubai is Sunday to Thursday with a Friday-Saturday weekend.
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