British Embassy lists Dos and Donts for British people in Dubai

Dubai Dos and Donts

Hot on the heels of the iPhone application created to help Western visitors from falling afoul of strict UAE laws come official guidelines released by the British Embassy in Dubai to further ensure that British travellers don’t end up ‘banged-up abroad’.

The “Dos and Donts” list has been written up specifically to aid British people who, in recent times especially, have a history of finding themselves on the wrong side of the law in Dubai. The info page runs through important topics of consideration such as the fact that alcohol is only allowed to be consumed in a small number of specially licensed venues and that all drugs, even microscopic amounts, are strictly forbidden.

The page goes on to warn travellers that many actions can fall under the banner of ‘indecent and provocative’ such as dancing in public, holding hands out of wedlock, other common shows of affection are banned outright, as is approaching random women or taking their photos.

A stern disclaimer precedes the text “IF YOU WANT TO FACE POSSIBLE ARREST AND IMPRISONEMENT THEN IGNORE THE FOLLOWING ADVICE!” it reads.

Despite Dubai’s rising profile as a hotspot destination for both work and holiday-making many travellers are unaware of the problems they can face by offending the Islamic sensibilities of Dubai’s natives. With arrests slowly becoming more and more commonplace, the British Embassy will hope that these guidelines will save a few headaches and jail sentences.

If you are soon to be venturing to Dubai then consult our detailed Dubai City Guide for further information. The full list can be found on the UK Embassy to the UAE website.