DubaiAt meetings Women’s pantsuits should be sheeny and glam; men’s duds are buffed, black, and paired with slim ties.
On the street The mall, not the street, is the social arena. Here, girls in T-shirts (their shoulders covered out of respect and as a remedy against the freezing AC blasts) tote the latest Louis Vuittons. Carry a pashmina to cover up in case you find yourself in a traditional souk although you’ll see miniskirts and shorts, they’re for people who know the city well enough to avoid ultra-conservative quarters. On men, reflective aviators abound, as do Gucci sandals.
At a party Go glam to the gills: No Swarovski is too shiny and no Giuseppe Zanotti is too high. Men wear Y3 trainers and tailored blaz¬ers over graphic tees.
P.S. Put on clean socks if you’re going to a local’s house—you’ll leave your shoes at the door.
Hello
Formal: Assalaamu alaykom, sometimes assalaam wa rahma, or simply salaam. Less formal: Marhaba, followed by kaif halak (“how are you?”). When one Arab greets another, the usual gender rules apply—only more so. Gulf Arabs get close: kisses between women and sometimes nose touches for the men. Handshakes may be followed by a right palm pressed to the heart, to express the strength of the bond. But this physicality stays within genders. “Kissing the opposite sex is not even an option,” says travel writer Mohamed El Hebeishy, who grew up in Egypt and now lives in Dubai. “And do not be the first to reach out for a handshake.”
Good-bye
Ma’assalama or, if you’re the one staying, allah yesalemek. Salaam is also common.
Thank You
Shukran (add jazilan for “very much”)—but hayak Allah (which also means “you’re welcome”) is more commonly heard in Dubai.
Excuse Me
A’afwaan as a light apology; ismahli to get someone’s attention (ismahili to women). For “I didn’t catch that,” low smaht (to a man) or low smahti (to a woman).
Help Me
Mumkin tesa’adni (tesa’ade’ani if you’re a woman).
Please
Men fadlek (to men) or men fadlik (to women).
