UAE’s packed city Dubai has beaten the list of most ideal overseas destination for Indian travellers. Dubai is a standard holiday destination for us Indians as we can make a rapid trip to the sprightly Arab country and relish ourselves to the fullest without sweltering through our bank balance. The wonderful shopping is an extra bonus. Yay!
But there are certain rules we must learn before stepping to this Arab country or we might end up in jail:
1. Eating in open during Ramadan can land you in jail for up to a month.
Article 313 of the Penal Code of UAE reflects it a wrongdoing for anyone to munch food or even drink in public during Ramadan. This applies to ‘tourists’ as well. All eateries remain closed anyway during the fasting period.
2. Directing the sole of your shoe in the direction of an Arab is regarded as an affront.
The footgear is considered muddy because it is on the ground and related with the foot, the lowest part of the body. So make sure that when you sit with your legs crossed, your soles do not point towards an Arab.
3. Displaying the OK sign is measured aggressive as it denotes the evil eye.
You may want to show the ‘OK sign’ to the cook after he feeds you the best brochettes of your life, but don’t. Licking the plate clean, exactly, would be a healthier decision. Okay?
4. Thumbs up is the Western correspondent of the middle finger. Whaatt!
What you think you’re saying: ‘Eyyy good job!’
But actually you are abusing them so better don’t show any of your fingers demonstrating anything or else because of one finger you’d be imprisoned.
5. Using the left hand to eat or to receive appetisers is considered as impure.
The left hand is considered tainted in all Arab cultures as the left hand is used for washing oneself after going to the restroom. If you are a left-handed person, you might want to rouse your equipoised self.
6. Dancing in civic is prohibited and classified as impolite and provoking.
Dancing is permissible only in the privacy of approved clubs or at home. Listening to gaudy music is also banned in Dubai.
7. Importing pork or porn
If any – or both – of these happen to be your rumpus it’s perhaps best you take your business away: introducing pork and porn is illicit in the UAE, according to the Foreign Office.
8. Cross-dressing can take you to jail with hefty penalties imposed.
Dubai, being a conventional community, is opposed towards homosexuality. Dressing up as opposite to your sex is viewed in the same light as being gay. In 2008, police arrested 40 cross-dressing visitors. Comic-Con? Anyone?
While some of these points may seem bizarre to you, you must understand that every community has its own ethnicities which one should respect and enjoy accordingly.
