While Dubai looks very relaxed and easy going, similar to any other sun seeker destination, there are laws which are respectfully asked to follow.
Before I start I want to emphasis on the fact that public decency laws have always existed in Dubai. Alot of incidents have occurred and many have not been respectful, therefore the authorities felt a STRONG need to remind all of what is and what is not acceptable (is there something wrong with that?)
What is wrong with acting in a decent way and interpret the rules to avoid trouble? All who come to Dubai knows that it is an Arabic and Muslim country. From my experience I also know that all who travels and goes to any country do search and learn a bit about it. So, why is this not the case when it comes to Dubai? Are people really confused or is it is easier to remain confused and keep doing what they are doing ?
IT’S VERY CLEAR AND NO REASON TO BE CONFUSED – JUST COVER UP!!!
These rules were always there but because we have respected our visitors we haven’t enforced it and expected people to be respectful and decent but maybe its our bad. Just because we don’t tell you off in the street, doesn’t mean that we approve of clothing that shows too much. This doesn’t mean we hate you, just the way you dress sometimes.
YOU ARE IN A MUSLIM COUNTRY, have some respect. Simply!
Visitors to the UAE need to be aware that even though every day, the citizens, rulers & enforcers in Dubai turn a blind eye to this behaviour, doesn’t mean the rules don’t exist! Don’t ignore the laws, even if you see others ignoring them. Law is clear on matters of public decency
And “Do you have an opinion on these rules??” is not a question for anyone …
What a great shame that it is necessary to continue posting such articles, but what to do?
I agree that the laws of the country have to be followed, however Dubai has been marketed as this paradise where people can come and do whatever they want. This is the impression that people get. When you research a country, you might pick up a travel guide, but I don’t think many [travel guides] stress on stuff like this as much as talk about the kind of activities you can do at a destination, so tourists and expatriates are not necessarily aware of these laws. Yes, decency laws have existed for a while but they haven’t really been enforced like, say, the traffic laws- we always hear or read about them so there’s no excuse for people not to know. With the former though, people just started becoming aware of these laws when all these arrests started happening and were brought to the media’s attention.
Again, I’m not disagreeing with the laws but I just think that there’s got to be a better way to shed light on these laws without making an example out of these people and potentially damaging the brand that is Dubai- there are many industries here that rely on it.
Thanks for posting this! I thought I’m the only one who put a bit of effort to stop this indecency and the ignorance foreigners carry as they enter our country!
I’ve had several experiences I would like to share with you, two of which I spotted couples kissing on the lips in the Mall of the Emirates and the Dubai Mall respectively. What devastates me is that there is a clear sign on the entrance of the malls that such behavior is unacceptable yet some people still act careless towards it. The sad part is when UAE nationals behave in such manner, such is the incident of an Emirati girl dressing inappropriately in the Dubai Mall and yelling at the staff for having a word about it! Unfortunately, our culture is being diminished by the carelessness of parents who do not bring up their children with our Islamic tradition and values.
Wherever I go, I see countless of these indecent acts in action! It’s getting out of control and I think the only rational solution to this problem is to enforce the laws! That is as far as my opinion is concerned.
I’m an expat living in Dubai since 2004, and have to admit some of the things I have seen and have seen people wearing in public I would not even do or wear in my own home country. I think it’s a hard line to enforce when you want to attract the tourism.
Maybe people should be asking the question of why is this an indecent act. Why is kissing the one you love an indecent act, why is it indecent to show your arms in public? I would think that the indecent aspect is trying to control the individual who, at the end of the day, is an individual and therefore if they want to do something that you don’t like, ignore it. Why worry yourself over the choices of other people? In my opinion, focus your energy on saving those who don’t even have a choice of what to wear rather than those who choose to wear items that you don’t like. Everybody is different, if you don’t like it, then you will have a difficult life, full of judgement and negativity.
I have on many occasions asked friends or acquaintances to behave or at least TRY TO respect the local rules of decency – to much sniggering and amusement. They are young, it feels like back home, it looks like back home…so they behave like they’re back home. Paying for your shopping/drinks/drugs in AED should maybe remind them they’re not.
Actually, I have seen people before asking wo/men to not enter their cafes, malls or restaurants in beach attire. That was in Brighton (UK). So what’s the news?
On the other hand, I have been turned away from restaurants twice, once in AD and once in DXB, for wearing an ABAYA and having the audacity to wish to dine in their establishment!
Maybe I’d make the other guests feel uncomfortable because suddenly they’d feel obliged to behave? Ridiculous!
Yes, Dubai is attracting tourism and visitors, but so is Abu Dhabi…how are they dealing with this?
First of all,
Thank you for this reminder which everyone seems to have “forgotten” about these days. Now that its’ summer we’re seeing way too much skin and also, underwears as well, because its ‘sooooo hooooot’. Whatever.
“On the other hand, I have been turned away from restaurants twice, once in AD and once in DXB, for wearing an ABAYA and having the audacity to wish to dine in their establishment!”
Ninoche, I don’t get that either?! How is being dressed decently affect the restaurants in any way? Its’ not like someone will walk up to a lady in a abaya and say “this is a family establishment, PLEASE take off your abaya its’ disrespectful”
That is ridiculous, and I’m sorry you had to go through that inexplainable incident. I guess abayas are a sore spot nowadays.