Expats Get Up Close With UAE Lifestyle

For the expatriates in the UAE, the first contacts with the Arabic culture are food, the language and the sheesha. But there are many facets of this culture that still have to be discovered.

By Afshan Ahmed

Published: Wed 3 Dec 2008, 1:08 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 5:12 PM

“There is a lot about the culture that I am unaware of. Probably this is because I have very little contact with Arabs on a daily basis and am not aware of the intricacies of their traditions,” said Miranda Kusi, a student in Dubai, “It is only during festivities like those on National Day that one gets to know about the culture of the country.”

Gautam A. Kumar who has been in the UAE for a long time, agrees that the lack of interaction with the locals have limited his knowledge about their culture. “I do know Arabs sit on the floor and eat and that you must remove your shoes before entering their house. I’m sure there are a lot of things that need to be understood, and I want to but I don’t have Arab friends.”

Paul Austin Price on the other hand has learnt a lot from his Emirati contacts and abides by their cultural norms. “When visiting my local friends, I am aware of their cultural habits and I respect them. I like the month of Ramadan which serves as a time to retrospect. I have noticed though, that when I came here some 10 years back, there was a local flavour to things which I believe now has lessened due to the various influences.”

However, Arabic delicacies are relished by all in the UAE.

“The food is amazing. I love the shawarmas and the filafils,” said Brendan Cross who wishes he would get them back in Australia as well.

“Hummous with traditional bread is now a daily dish,” added Deepthi U.

Words like Yalla, Inshallah and Bas khallas have become a natural part of the residents’ conversations. “These are the most commonly used words and they sound good and can be heard by almost everyone here,” said Gautam.

Sheesha too has witnessed a dedicated following among the expatriates who consider it an effective stress buster while socialising.

“It is a way out when you meet friends and chill out after a long day of work,” said Martin Marques, another expat here.

Some prominent aspects of the UAE culture

The family is considered most important, where the father holds the pivot.
The Kandura (male) and Abaya (female) are the traditional dresses in the country.
An Arab’s honour and religion are very important factors in their lives.
While greeting a person, an Arab hugs and kisses on the cheeks of his or her friend as a display of trustworthiness and friendship.
Respecting the privacy and the role of women in society.
When one is sitting cross legged, the sole of the feet must never point in the direction of the person sitting across.
Accept things with your right hand, as the left hand is considered disrespectful.
When offered a drink, oblige, otherwise it is considered as a rejection of hospitality