Conservative Culture

Although Dubai is known for it's glitz and glamour, it still is a conservative culture. Most people dress conservatively in public, except for the beaches and apartment/hotel pools. Outside many of the mall entrances are signs that give guidelines for appropriate behavior within the malls. For example, posted in the Marina Mall parking lot entrance to the elevators is a list of rules which includes "no public displays of affection within the mall". In Dubai, couples do not hold hands when in public places! Interestingly though, muslim men hold hands as a sign of friendship and are allowed to do so within public places. It's not uncommon to see two guys walking with their fingers intertwined. Almost all the men do it!

The sign above is from the Mall of the Emirates. If the text is too small it says "Please wear respectful clothing, For example, shoulders and knees should be covered".