“Holding hands for a married couple is tolerated but kissing and petting are considered an offence to public decency,” it adds. “Public displays of affection, as well as sexual harassment or randomly addressing women in public places, is liable to be punished by imprisonment or deportation.”
In Dubai, holding hands, hugging, and kissing in public is considered socially unacceptable and if caught indulging in such acts, you might land up in jail. Many foreigners have already suffered the consequences. Do not join the bandwagon. This is considered one of the most important things not to do in Dubai.
As per the Dubai code, holding hands is tolerated in case of married couple, but other public displays of affection is an offense to public decency. Although in theory men and women holding hands is a public display of affection, it may not lead to a problem in Dubai, unless in Sharjah, or if it is Ramadan.
Dubai is a country known for its strict laws when it comes to public displays of affection, specifically "Public Display of Affection" laws. These laws prohibit any physical contact between people who are not married to each other in public. Violators can be punished with fines, jail time, or both.
Although it is allowed to live as a couple in Dubai, it is preferable to be undemonstrative outdoors. Although it is not illegal to hold hands or kiss in public, it is far from common and may shock Dubai residents. Therefore, avoid displays of affection or inappropriate behavior that may offend locals.
“Holding hands for a married couple is tolerated but kissing and petting are considered an offence to public decency,” it adds. “Public displays of affection, as well as sexual harassment or randomly addressing women in public places, is liable to be punished by imprisonment or deportation.”
According to the law, it's illegal for unmarried couples to stay in the same room during a holiday in Dubai. In reality, this is not strictly enforced and it's unlikely you'll be challenged on it. Many unmarried couples visit Dubai every year without issue.
When you want to treat your partner, spas in Dubai have a load of couple's massages and spa treatments for two to try. Relax and unwind in luxury, and get serious brownie points, too.
The general rule regarding dressing in public in Dubai is to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and your knees. It's best to refrain from wearing clothing that is too tight or too revealing for both men and women.
Islamic law prohibits unmarried couples from living together. The same rule applies to sharing a hotel room. In theory, hotels should also not call you a cab or help you book a tour in which you will be alone with your partner.
Gum is banned from sale in Dubai, making this a major prohibition. You'll have to carry your gum from abroad to indulge in the habit. However, medicated gum could be available at some drugstores and specialist shops.
And if you're asking can you show tattoos in Dubai? Yes you can. Saying that, however, if you have a tattoo that is considered offensive and against the values of the UAE, you may face trouble.
What should tourists wear in Dubai? When visiting Dubai as a tourist, you will be glad to know that the dress code in tourist places and hotels isn't very strict. Men can wear shorts, pants, shirts, or t-shirts. Women can wear dresses, skirts, shorts, and t-shirts, blouses, tops…
Since you'll need to walk a lot to explore the souks, the best shoes to wear are trainers and sandals. Flip flops are also allowed for both men and women.
Showing cleavage is somewhat frowned upon, and it's also best to avoid wearing any tops that show your underwear underneath. Instead, go for t-shirts and tops that cover your upper arms – strappy tops and those that show off your midriff are considered offensive.
Yes, in most situations, skinny jeans, like leggings, are absolutely fine. The only place this may not be appropriate is a religious building. We would suggest ladies place an abaya on top of their outfits.
As one of the most popular spa treatments globally, full-body massage involves the rubbing of cream or oil into the skin. This helps to release pressure and tightness in muscles, improve flexibility, and relax the body and mind.
A person who is availing massage services from an unregulated/unauthorised person can be penalised and could face imprisonment for a term not less than one year under Article 356 of the UAE Penal Code,” added Matta.
The Dubai code states: “Holding hands for a married couple is tolerated but kissing and petting are considered an offence to public decency. “Public displays of affection, as well as sexual harassment or randomly addressing women in public places, is liable to be punished by imprisonment or deportation.”
In January 2022, reforms announced in November 2021 came into effect, effectively decriminalising relationships and pregnancies outside of marriage, and permitting unmarried couples to live together.
It is illegal for muslims to cohabit before marriage. It is therefore against the law in Dubai to share a room if you are not married, HOWEVER, it is one of the laws that a blind eye is turned to for the tourist trade and therefore it will not be an issue - no one will ask yoiu they will just assume you are.
So, is Dubai really that expensive? Dubai isn't actually much more expensive than London, New York, and other big cities. However, Dubai's not a very walkable city. Jaywalking is illegal, and crossings are few and far between.
Although USD is widely accepted across all sectors in Dubai, it is best advisable to convert home currency into Dirham for the ease of travelling and saving money.
The UAE's law prohibits sale of tobacco and tobacco products to children. Smoking in public transportation, private vehicles and indoor places in the presence of a child is also prohibited.