Dubai is truly a fantastic destination. Whether for business, pleasure or a little bit of both, a visit Dubai is an unforgettable experience. One of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates or UAE, Dubai is situated South of the Persian Gulf.

Initially driven by its petrodollars, the economy has begun to shift from oil to its developing economic hub and tourism sector. This shift can also be seen in the populace. Local Emiratis used to be the majority. Nowadays, less than one in five are indigenous locals. The rest are now Indians and Pakistanis, expats from Europe and the United States and migrant workers from Asia.

The Dubai of several decades ago is very different from the Dubai of today. The traditional Muslim lifestyle has now been replaced by a more cosmopolitan atmosphere, especially amidst the presence of different faiths. Islam is still the official religion and the culture continues to adhere to predominantly Muslim and Arab sensibilities.

Arabs are one of the friendliest and most hospitable people in the world, but visitors and tourists should be aware of folkways and mores when interacting with the locals. Visitors should understand for instance, that it is against Islamic tradition to shake hands with the opposite sex. It is usually prudent to wait for your host to see if they extend that particular gesture before offering your hand. Local women also shy away and avoid getting their pictures taken.

Those who are lucky enough to experience having a warm beverage or traditional meal with a local family should remember to remove their shoes before entering the home. Since seating is usually on the floor, one must also avoid pointing the soles of their feet in anyone's direction as this would be considered very rude. During meals, the right hand must also be used to take and handle food and drink as the left hand is considered "unclean".

Ramadan is a very important festival in the Muslim world. During that month, Muslims and non-Muslims alike are expected to refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in public. The majority of restaurants will be closed throughout the day. Those that are open will most likely just offer take-out service.

Unlike other Muslim nations, women are not required to cover their faces, heads and hair with a scarf. The small number of women in Dubai that do dress more conservatively, do so because they want to. When visiting a mosque however, females are expected to cover their hair. Women can generally wear anything they want as long as it is not too revealing. As a general rule, it is best that the knees, shoulders and everything in between is properly covered.

Men should definitely avoid wearing woman’s clothing. A Scottish kilt may be acceptable for special occasions but donning female clothes in public will likely land a man in jail. Even shorts with a shorter cut may raise some eyebrows in certain parts of Dubai. At the very least, men should wear some pants and a t-shirt if they wish to be as comfortable as possible.

When it comes to proper office attire, simply consider what you would be wearing in your home country. Consider though that the weather may be harsh at times so use fabrics that are lighter and breathe better.