Knowing about UAE Culture is essential for cultivating friendships and business relationships in the UAE. When it comes to making friends or meeting new clients, knowing the proper UAE etiquette will help you make the best first impression possible.

  • Holidays:

The UAE’s major holidays are on National Day (December 2) which is when the UAE was formed, Eid Al Fitr, which comes after Ramadan, and Eid Al Adha, which is after Al Hajj season. The emirati culture reflects Islam and the bedouin, arab culture, and so, their architecture, music, cuisines, and lifestyle, and influenced by those factors. Local people are supposed to pray 5 times a day, where the minarets of mosques call them for prayer. Mosques, churches, hindu temples, and sikh gurdwara are scattered all over the country, but there and no jewish syangogue.

  • Emirati people :

Due to the UAE’s high standard of living and growth in trade, many people from all around the world come to the UAE striving for a better life and jobs that pay well. There are around 4.4 million people in the country, with only 15-20% of them being citizens and 96% being muslims. It is estimated that an average person living in the uae is expected to live 77 years.

  • Museums and art galleries:

Museums and art galleriested his eldest son, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as president.


Men in the UAE prefer wearing a kandora, which is similar to a long, white, ankle-length shirt made from cotton or wool, along with a ghetra and egal, sefra, or gahfiya. In special occasions, such as weddings, or official events, men wear a “bisht” which comes in a variety of colors ranging from black, beige, brown, to white. Western-style clothing is also popular, mostly among the younger generation. Women also have something similar to the men’s kandora, but with different colors and styles. They also wear some western-styled clothing, but keep them covered with a long, black over-garment that covers most parts of their bodies, called an ‘abaya’, and a headpiece called a ‘shaila’. Although the women’s bodies are covered with an ‘abaya’, they avoid wearing short, fitted clothing. Also, some women prefer to cover their faces. Younger women would most likely cover their faces with “gheshwa” “(although it is not unusual for them to wear a “neqab”). On the other hand, the older generation would usually wear a “burgaa



  • Literature and poetry:

Poetry is very popular among the local people, ranging from self-praise, love, patriotism, chivalry, satire, religion, and family. It is a great way to spend time and express their feelings and emotions. There are many poets in the country famous for their literary works. an iconic poet was Ibn Majid who came from Ras al Khaima. He had a total of 40 compositions. The greatest notable poets for classical arabic poetry were Mubarak Al Oqaili, Salem bin Ali Al Owaism adn Ahmed Bin Sulayem. Other poets include Sheikh Saqr Al Qassimi and Khalfan Musabah.

  • Tipping:

Tipping is not mandatory here, but it is part of our Arab Culture to give money out of generosity and appreciation to those who served us; and so, it doesn’t matter if the amount is AED5 or AED500.

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