UAE Etiquette

Greeting someone in the UAE
Greetings can be protracted affairs as an Arab may enquire after you and your family's health. The polite reply is that all is well, thanks be to God. It is usual to use 'Sayed' (Mr) or 'Sayeda' (Mrs) followed by the first name. The name should always be prefixed with the honorific title when conducting business. The Bedouin custom of offering food and shelter to strangers in the deserts is preserved today by the coffee ceremony. Business often starts with a tiny cup of cardamon-flavoured coffee poured from the traditional metal pot or dallah, although this is not as common in more modern cities such as Dubai. To indicate that you have had enough, guests must wiggle the cup from side to side.

Tipping advice
Any service charge on a restaurant bill usually goes to the restaurant rather then the waiter, therefore, even if tips aren't expected, they are very much appreciated.

UAE dress code
Dubai tends to be more relaxed where visitors and expatriates can follow their normal dress code. In other cities such as Abu Dhabi clothing should be conservative and smart. Women should avoid wearing revealing clothing, especially in rural areas, and go for loose clothing such as loose-cut trousers and long dresses.

Local Customs
The United Arab Emirates is the most liberal part of the Gulf region, however still very conservative by Western standards. This means that great offence would be shown by wearing revealing clothing or in any way showing disrespect in Mosques or other public places.

Health care
Coming soon...

Transportation
For getting around the UAE there is a fairly good bus service, mini buses and taxis, water taxis and soon a light tram rail will be introduced in Dubai. Most people who are staying for some time make sure they have access to a vehicle, by either buying or hiring a car. Car hire is not too expensive, the roads are in excellent condition but the rules of the road are not always carefully observed. Be very careful until you are used to it and be aware that roundabouts are particularly hazardous, as are wandering camels. Dubai offers very good bus service and many of the bigger universities offer their own transportation in the form of private mini buses dedicated to transporting their respective students.

Dubai Bus services are operated on 59 bus routes linking various residential estates and the industrial and educational areas with the two central business districts. Bus information is available in printed booklet or pocket-sized format at any of the bus stations or the main office at Al Ramoul. Over 350 busy bus stops are equipped with point timetables that provide the waiting passengers with time schedules of the bus services passing through specific bus stops. Passengers can also obtain bus times, fares and connecting services on toll free phone 800 4848 from inside the UAE. This facility may also be utilised to lodge any complaints and suggestions.

Communications
Etisalat is the leading telecommunications and mobile communications service operator in the UAE including Dubai. Etisalat offers high tech quality telecommunications services including GSM Billpay and Prepaid mobile communications. Etisalat's prepaid service is called 'WASEL' which takes 3 hours to activate from signing up.

You only need to provide a passport copy, complete a simple application form and pay US $45 to receive your 'WASEL' SIM cad and get connected with 'WASLE' service.

WASEL International Roaming offers you the convenience of receiving incoming calls and making outgoing calls while roaming. The facility, available without advance
deposit or bank guarantee and is available for all WASEL Customers who have sufficient credit in their accounts. Calls made to balance enquiry and recharge numbers are FREE.

'WASEL' Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is the next generation version of the SMS Messaging Service. 'WASEL' MMS allows you not only to send and receive longer text messages, but also send colour pictures, audio, animation and short video clips from your MMS enabled mobile to other MMS enabled mobiles phones and to email addresses.

Buying a WASEL SIM card:

You can buy 'WASEL' SIM card from any of the following outlets:

• Etisalat
• Carrfore supermarket
• Emarat Petrol stations

Using your SIM card
In order for you to start using your 'WASEL' SIM card you need to buy the Etisalat Prepaid Calling Card which is a disposable calling card, available in fixed denomination of Dh 30 and Dh 60. Cost of calls made is deducted each time the card is used, until the full amount of the card is utilised.

You can see more information on Etisalat's services on http://www.etisalat.co.ae/cgi-bin/view_article_list.cgi?CategoryID=8

Buying a mobile phone in Dubai:
Mobile phones in Dubai tend to be slightly cheaper than other parts of the world. Most mobile phones made by leading mobile phone manufacturers such as Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Alcatel, ..... are available in Dubai and can be purchased easily. Here are some of the well know mobile phone outlets in Dubai:

• Axiom Tel: 04 5555555
• Fono Tel: 04 5555555
• Techmart Tel: 04 5555555
• Carrfore Tel: 04 5555555
• Jumbo Electronics Tel: 04 5555555
• Jackys Tel: 04 5555555
• Al Salam (Wafi City) Tel: 04 5555555
• Etisalat
• Du