DUBAI

[Question10]

I have booked a holiday to Dubai in a 5 star hotel on the palm. The plan is to stay in the resort for the week & enjoy the pool etc. AIBU to worry about going to Dubai? One of my friends has told me that she would never go there because of their strict laws and she’s got me worried. I’ve done some googling and I’m still a bit worried. Will I be able to wear a swimming costume at the pool? Do I need to cover up? If you have been to Dubai before, I would really appreciate your opinion.

Then why go there and contribute to their misery?

Dubai and pretty much the whole of the Middle East is far safer for a woman than most UK cities.
For the hotel and private beaches 'normal' beachwear is fine though topless sunbathing isn't generally allowed.
Over the years attitudes have changed as to what is appropriate and you'll see a lot more shorts etc being worn in malls etc. However, please use your common sense. Cut off trousers/jeans are fine, looser summer trousers, Tshirts, maxi dresses with a light cardi/cover up are all fine.

I still dress fairly conservatively when I go over (after so many years in the region its just natural) and am often surprised at some of the clothes I see being worn.

@katscamel thank you. I think I will go for maxi dresses and pashminas

@ThePoetsWife truthfully? Because it’s booked now

That is no longer true.

Unmarried couples can cohabitate in the UAE.

Maxi dresses are absolutely the best. I live in them. You get breeze under 😁

@Tartareistasty Do you have any suggestions as to where to buy some maxi dresses ideal for warm/hot climates?

I got m&s ones mainly. These and John Lewis basic range have nice quite affordable yet not crap quality cotton or linen ones.
It's very humid now and these don't stick to me.

Dubai is one of the safest countries you’ll visit (as a heterosexual). I’ve been an I’ve left a brand new iPhone 10 (at the time) on the beach and in a mall (absent mindedly)and wandered off for hours and fine, still there on both occasions.

id be wary of drinking and getting drunk, but seeing as you don’t drink, you’ll be fine :)

TOTALLY off topic but we've just returned from Italy. Have an amazing day in Naples and saw some beautiful churches but I was gobsmacked at the number of female visitors (all nationalities) who not only didn't bother to cover bare shoulders as politely asked to upon entry but were wearing shorts and skirts with arse cheeks hanging out and cleavage you could land a jet.

So incredibly disrespectful. These are places of worship and work

It’s fine to wear a swim suit, bikini etc. I personally didn’t like Dubai, I didn’t like the way the staff are treated, there’s a definite undertone there if you pay attention. Never known anywhere like it

Also I Co-habited with my unmarried partner and took in lots of prescription meds, eg fentanyl / oxycodone with no issues

On Palm will be fine in normal summer clothes. Don't wear just swimsuit away from beach or pool. Malls on Palm fine in shorts and strap top. Etc. But if I went to Dubai Mall or emirates Mall would wear more covered up clothing. Same if go to old Dubai or the Souks. But maxi dress and pashmina perfect.

I’ve lived here for years, and it’s far far safer than the UK, especially as a non-white woman. Wear your bikini at the pool, pull on a floaty summer dress to head back inside. I’m currently sat at a cafe in a tank top cotton dress and sandals, as are most of the women around me. If you’re on the Palm, the hotels there do attract a lot of the Love Island type, so expect to see lots of mini dresses and thong bottoms.

Basically no crime, never felt uncomfortable around men here, police are very friendly and happy to help. Ignore the ignorant Islamaphobic responses with outdated information - I’d love to know what rights they think I don’t have here.
Tbh it’s the British tourists who pose more of a threat to residents. One that comes to mind is when my friend was sexually touched by a British male tourist and he was immediately arrested, charged, and sent home. She was offered lots of help from the police and follow up support. They take crimes against women very seriously here.

Zero clothing restrictions in Dubai- if in good taste.
Don't walk around malls in a bikini, do this at the pool/ pool bar.
Don't wear tasteless , very showy clothes and go and sit next to locals and swear a lot. This will not go down well.
Dress for your night out as you would in UK. Don't stumble around drunk in public and swear at people.
Just behave in a way that is socially acceptable in UK and you will be fine and have a great time.
Your biggest concern will be how expensive it is. Get a copy of a time out as soon as you land and find out the nights where ladies drink for free.
If single and you meet a guy on a night out- be discreet- public kissing is not allowed but all that will happen is a gentle tap on the shoulder and asked to stop- nothing worse. Same goes in taxis- just behave like your gran is driving you home and you will be fine.
It's just good manners that you need to take with you- that's all.
You really do need to do more research about Dubai. It's huge fun with great club nights.

You’ll be safe, I personally wouldn’t go as it’s a playground for the rich built on the back of slaves. Also the gay rights would be another no

Your biggest concern will be how expensive it is

I like beer and omg. This is my only issue here😂 We buy our favourite in Ajman now, but bars in Dubai cost an arm and leg outsode of specific happy hours. Cheaper in places like Ras Al Khaimah but too far to go regularly.

Been to the uae numerous times. The only thing i would say is don't wander around the streets drunk. But otherwise wear what you want. And within a resort its no different to europe.

This is not true and hasn't been true for a while. If you don't know what you're talking about please don't comment. The position in Dubai is a million miles from Qatar. I have lived in both.

OP you can wear what you want. Personally I wouldn't go to Mall of the Emirates in hot pants and with my midriff on show but then (a) not a good look for me anyway, (c) I would be really cold as others have said, and (c) I've seen plenty of people do it. They get the odd stare but no one says anything. You don't need to have shoulders and knees covered anywhere but government offices and mosques.

There are some areas of Dubai you wouldn't want to have a lot of skin on show but they're unlikely to be areas you'd go to as a tourist and it's normally because of the number of men from conservative cultures that are likely to stare. No one's going to arrest you.

In terms of the pool, the insta pics are right in terms of what people wear. I'm not sure I'd wander through the lobby in a bikini (but then see (a) above), but is that a done thing in other places? I think if you can do it in a hotel in Spain you can do it in a hotel on the Palm in Dubai.

Ignore the ignorant Islamaphobic responses with outdated information - I’d love to know what rights they think I don’t have here

Oh wow. Someone has never switched the news on.

You will be absolutely fine wearing what ever you normally wear on holiday. The only reason I wore a little more in the shopping malls/indoor attractions/restaurants was because the aircon is always on super high everywhere you go so it does get chilly inside!

enjoy and don’t worry!

I always wear linen shift dresses or loose cotton trousers and t shirt when sightseeing. That way I’m church-ready. I find shorts and strappy tops uncomfortable when sightseeing.

Enlighten me. What rights do I not have, that you do.

The only right I don’t have in Dubai, that I have in the U.K., is the right to have an abortion.