It’s no secret that Dubai is a magnificent metropolitan city glistening atop the vast Arabian Desert with towering skyscrapers, extreme temperatures, splendid markets, and a charming culture, making it one of the best cities in the world to visit. However, if Dubai is your next vacation destination, there are a few things you need to know. Things that abuse the laws and customs of the Emirati people. Dive in and take note of the ten things tourists should never do in Dubai.

1.         Do Not Use Your Left Hand To Greet Anyone

You must never ever use your left hand to eat, greet anyone, open doors, and hand over something, especially food items to someone in Dubai. The left hand is considered unclean in all Arab cultures as the left hand is used for cleaning oneself after going to the bathroom.  If you are a left-handed person heading to Dubai for a vacation, now is the time to awaken your ambidextrous side.

2.         Do Not Cuss In Public

Watch your language, please.

Dubai is very conservative when it comes to bad language. In 2016, a court ordered the retrial of a man who was convicted of swearing at a colleague in a WhatsApp message. Control the use of vulgar language, and keep all the slang, cuss words, and profanity to yourself during your visit to Dubai. Also, refrain from passing any comment that may be deemed insulting towards Islam or Muslims. It is considered a punishable offense in Dubai and might land you behind the bars. And you wouldn’t like to spend your vacation in prison, now, would you

3.          Do Not Take Photographs Without Permission

If you see someone in a dress you admire and you suddenly get the urge to take a shot and send it to your designer, or you’re a photographer and just got inspired to take a breathtaking shot of a scenery with someone in it, ensure you get their permission first. You must be extremely cautious while clicking pictures in Dubai because modesty and safety are very important to the people and you are not allowed to take snaps of people without consent, especially if they are women and children. So, either store the images in your very retentive memory or get consent, or move on.

4.           Do Not Bring Prohibited Items

Be cautious and vigilant while packing when you are traveling to Dubai because not all items are allowed in the country. If you wish to read during your journey, avoid carrying books that have adult content in them including women’s fashion magazines. Next, you must not carry any products that are made in Israel, and you must also abstain from carrying bacon or any pork items. UAE has an extremely strict anti-drug policy, which means that one of the things not to take to Dubai are prescribed medicines and illicit drugs. Sorry. Not even, your anti-anxiety drugs are allowed. Airports are always on high alert and if you happen to break the rule and get caught, you can face up to four years in prison. Ensure you check UAE’s official website to look up the items that are prohibited and the ones that cannot be carried along with you. And if there is a medicine that you must take along, do not forget to carry its prescription too.

5.           Do Not Disrespect The Royal Family In Public

You know how you often have and air your opinions about the British Royal family amongst friends or colleagues in public? Don’t do it in Dubai. You are bound to have certain opinions while visiting a new country, and if you are traveling to Dubai for the first time, you might have some opinion about the culture, the royal family, the laws, the politics, the people, etc. It is completely natural but you must not discuss them openly in the public. It is not okay in Dubai to openly mock, criticize, or insult the Royal family, the politics, the culture, the laws, and the religion in public. It is taken very seriously even if you were not, and a defaulter can be severely penalized.

6.            Do Not Stay Together In A Hotel If You’re Unmarried

Sorry, but you’re going to have to take a pause on that romantic vacation you planned for your partner in Dubai if you aren’t legally married. Cohabitation at a hotel without getting married is illegal in Dubai. It often leads to jail, fine,s and deportation. So, if you wish to avoid going back as soon as you check into your hotel in Dubai, make sure you’re staying in different hotels if you’re an unmarried couple. We’re confident you’ll find some other way to make your stay memorable, but this is not it. Avoid it like a plague.

7.              Do Not Indulge In PDA

Dear newlyweds, keep your paws off each other! While there is no doubt that the United Arab Emirates is a popular destination for honeymooners, it is imperative for visitors to be aware that the country does not permit public displays of affection.  We bet you didn’t know that kissing in a public place may lead to imprisonment for a couple. So did a lot of other foreigners, and they suffered the consequences via jail time. Holding hands, hugging, and kissing in public are considered socially unacceptable. The policy is applicable in all public places in the city, even in bars and clubs. Dubai also frowns upon the act of hugging a friend or an acquaintance if the latter belongs to the opposite sex. You should also avoid playing loud music and dancing in public too. It does not go down well with the locals

8.            Do Not Dress Inappropriately

You will be pleasantly surprised to know that the UAE is more lenient with the way people dress up than what many people would like to perceive. However, the dressing codes are not the same in all the Emirates. In Dubai, you are expected to dress modestly in public areas, including malls, markets beaches, theatres, mosques, etc. So, even though Dubai is the hub of fashionable clothing, you are not allowed to wear short, tight, skimpy clothes that show a lot of skin in public spaces. Other than this, wearing loose modest clothing can help you stay comfortable in the hot and dry climate of Dubai.

9.            Do Not Drink In Public

Although the United Arab Emirates has a number of clubs and bars that serve alcohol, visitors should be careful not to drink alcohol in public. Drinking is not permitted in any such venues where there is no shop that sells alcohol. So if you wish to hold a can of beer in public and sip it throughout your journey till the next stop or simply chill with your friends in public having alcohol, Dubai is not the place for you. Staying drunk in public and drinking in public, both are banned by the law, and offending the same will lead you to penalties and jail.

10.          Do Not Miss Visiting The Popular Tourist Spots

Aerial view of Burj AL Arab hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

 Dubai is a hub for amazing sights and experiences. So, going there and not visiting the popular tourist spots should most definitely be considered a crime.

When in Dubai, Go out and explore. Just make sure you follow the aforementioned rules. Visit the Burj Khalifa that stands at 2,716 feet and is considered to be thrice as tall as the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Visit the Dubai Old Creek to relish the historic charisma and old-style buildings that reflect the Arabian architecture of this old town.

You can also go up to the ‘At The Top’ point, which is the world’s highest observation deck with an outdoor terrace too. You can even snack at the restaurant on the 122nd floor, and check out the pool on the 76th floor, which is considered the highest swimming pool in the world.

You should definitely visit the various souks, traditional Arabian markets that sell gold, spices, textiles, perfumes, and other things. And last, do not leave Dubai without taking the desert safari.

Lastly, the best way to spend a great vacation in any city is by respecting the country’s rules, regulations, and culture. Remember, when in Rome…or in this case, Dubai, ensure you avoid doing all the things we warned you against, and above all, enjoy your holiday.