DUBAI - Culture & Life-Style

Dubai is a fine example of economic development triggering swift social changes. The local population is more tolerant of modern life-styles. Foreigners are free to practise their religion, follow their food and dress habits. Women drive around unescorted. However, the heritage lives on. Dubai's citizens wear traditional dress. Weddings etc are occasions for colourful celebrations. Traditional sports such as falconry, camel racing and dhow cruises are big draws. Arts and cultural activities are folklore-oriented.

The Arabs are a friendly people. Hi! Accept a cup of coffee, take it, and shake the cup gently side to side. You have conveyed, you had enough!, In the Arab world, families are large. Marriages are arranged. Women are respected. In Dubai they have started going out for work. There is an influence of the temperature and religion on the dress habits. Men and women wear a loose-fitting full-length garment called kandoura or dishdasha. Mostly in white, men also wear a cap called gahfia or tagia, covered by gutra, a long cloth. Women may cover their faces also. Visitors can wear light-weight garments in summer and light jacket/sweaters in winter. Revealing styles may be offensive to the local population of Muslims. Swim-suits are OK for beaches and pools. Take sunglass and a hat in the summer.

The official language is Arabic. English is spoken. Islam is the official religion. Other religions are respected. Ramadan is the holy month of fasting from dawn to dusk. Visitors also are expected not to eat or drink during day in this period.A notable feature of life in modern Dubai is its night life. Hotels have bars and pubs. There are discotheques and Arabic night clubs. Foreign cuisine aplenty. Souks (markets) are an attraction for travellers. Dubai is a travellers' stop-over too.

Summer is unbearable. Any other time of the year is comfortable for visiting the city. The first thing one notices on landing is the Creek, a historical focal point of life in Dubai - a natural inlet from the Gulf which bisects the city into two: Deira in the north and Bur Dubai in the south. Go for sight-seeing to oases and sun-set. There are Arabian exclusives like desert safaris, dune driving, sand skiing, camel racing, horse racing, falconry, dhow cruises.