Many tourists see Middle Eastern Gulf etiquette as something they must tiptoe through, afraid of doing something wrong. Yet cultural norms offer fascinating insight into the lives of the people living in the area. Typically, a small effort to understand and heed locals’ guidance is all that is required of you.
Dress Like You Did Your Homework
It is advised that women dress modestly outside of beach resorts and hotel pools in modest countries. They should cover their shoulders and knees and avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing. Men should also dress modestly and not go shirtless in public. Shorts are not typically worn by local men in all Middle Eastern countries. As a form of cultural respect, and to help you pack them, just don’t bother with shorts at all. Exchange them for skirts and maxi-dresses, local, cooler, just as easy to wear, and potentially fashion-forward.
Greetings, Handshakes, and Knowing When to Skip Both
“Hello” is fine. But if you’re headed to any Gulf country from Saudi Arabia to Oman, to ease your way and be met with warmth instead of smiles through gritted teeth, you might want to try a little Arabic. You won’t master it all. But a few basic words and greetings go a long, long way in this part of the world.
1. As-salamu alaykum is the standard greeting, and it comes with a required response (“wa alaykum as-salam”). Learn it before you land. It takes ten seconds, and it lands better than “hello” ever will.
2. Handshakes are trickier. In many Gulf contexts, a man shouldn’t extend his hand to greet a woman, and vice versa; a polite nod or a hand over the heart does the job instead. Watch what the other person offers first. Following their lead, rather than forcing a Western default, is the whole game here.
This is also where the deeper hospitality tradition comes in. Gulf generosity toward guests didn’t start with tourism; it comes from Bedouin hospitality, where a stranger arriving at your tent was owed food, shelter, and protection, no questions asked. That instinct still shapes how you’re welcomed today, from the Arabic coffee ritual to the majlis gatherings where families host guests for conversation and tea.
Understanding where that comes from, rather than just following the motions, is the difference between performing etiquette and engaging with Emirati culture on its own terms.
Accept the Coffee, even if You Don’t Finish it
Accept Arabic coffee, gahwa, and dates if they are offered to you. Even if you just have a sip and a bite, it’s sufficient. Refusing outright, especially without a gracious thank you, could be interpreted as a subtle rejection of your host’s hospitality, which defeats the purpose of the offering in the first place. The coffee is poured in small quantities and is constantly topped up until you refuse more using a slight tilt of your cup as you give it back. This might be a small thing, but it really does the trick, and locals will appreciate it if you make the effort to learn.
Ramadan Changes the Rules, and That’s Fine
When travelling during Ramadan, you’ll see (and taste) lots of the culture’s distinct features. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, lasts 29 to 30 days and marks the time when the Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims all over the world fast every day during daylight hours of this lunar month. It’s quite wonderful being in Islamic countries at this time. Having a month of fasting and giving creates a certain mood.
Photos, PDA, and the Right Hand
Do not take a photo of someone, especially a lady, without getting a green light first. This is even more important when you are inside a mosque or a prayer room. Consent is the most obvious sign of respect that you can show in the region, and it doesn’t cost anything other than a few seconds of your time. There are a couple more things to keep in mind. The right hand should be used for eating, handshakes, and exchanging things; in many cultures, the left hand is associated with less sanitary activities. Affection should not be displayed publicly, and in some countries, it is even illegal, so it should be kept private. Finally, Friday is the main day of prayer in the region, so many businesses will be closed or have different hours during the weekend; make sure to plan your schedule accordingly.
None of This is a Performance
Cultural tourism represents approximately 40% of all tourism worldwide (UNWTO). This percentage is high enough to make one realise that individuals are not just travelling to places but are trying to understand the culture. Being part of the local culture respectfully is not something you do because you must. It is the reason you are travelling.
It is more about taking part in an exchange than following a rulebook. The region generally gives back more than it asks for.
