RuthM
Posts 674

And ironically today there was what looked like a professional photographer in MoE with three ladies dressed in above the knee skirts and blouses that barely covered their shoulders modelling as if they were casually chatting while holding lots of designer shopping bags (presumably advertising for the DSF). I agree that people should dress respectfully but it would help if the media could reflect this in their advertising.

LDC
Posts 230

I have now seen on a regular basis what is now being named as 'Tourist Police' rounding Ibn Batutta Mall. They are pointing people out and writing something down. Not sure if this is a lead up to something, perhaps Ramadan! Also, noticed a lot of media coverage lately regarding this issue.

Perhaps, like the I.D. Card issuance they will eventually say 'we notified everyone enough times, in the newspapers and on TV' and now you bear the consequences!!

My feelings: I too get very hot in this Dubai summer heat. But what does it take to carry a thin, silk or cotton scarf and casually drape it across shoulders when you're in public place..... very little! This can look very pretty and even liven up an outfit and you will be sending out a message that says 'I am being respectful to your UAE traditions'.

In Saudi young expat women came into the Kingdom and decided to wear what they liked ignoring the local customs and traditions, the religious police clamped down and we were all made to wear abayas. There are always some that will spoilt it for others!!

spongemonkey
Posts 20942

spongemonkey
Posts 20942

simpleasabc
Posts 7257

Alismum
Posts 956

SkyKitty
Posts 1491

I think also that if a visiting couple cannot hold hands (and nothing else) in public then why should men from the region (or women for that matter) be allowed to? It confuses the visitors because they don't understand the reasons behind it.

Of course we shouldn't be flouting the laws etc but I do think that some of the terms handed out to people for doing things normal in their country (peck on the cheek, hand holding etc) have been very long compared to ones who get suspended sentence for assualt, theft etc... is there a reason for this I don't know about?

SkyKitty
Posts 1491

Lol Simples!

I was gonna say the same about the group of what can onyl be described as tall long legged blonde model-types in Dubai Mall earlier today... skirts so short I thought they were wearing very nice belts!

I had told my visitors to dress a bit more conservatively than they would at home but they were so p!ssed off to see girls in tank dresses and short shorts saying they could have just worn what they normally wore- because they saw no one getting told off for it they figured I was just being OTT..... can't win!

simpleasabc
Posts 7257

I felt like a horrible old bag in Spinneys Town Centre this evening - there was a lady in lovely blue short shorts and a beige-pink off the neck top doing her shopping. She would have looked great on the beach. I so wanted to say to her - do you not understand the dress code here, do you have no respect? But I presumed she was Russian and would neither understand nor care. Maybe I was stereotyping her but such is everyday life in Dubai. At least she filled her shopping bags herself..

Alismum
Posts 956

Couldn't find the Dress Code 2 thread, was it zapped???

UAE culture minister to be quizzed on dress code
FNC representative pushes enactment of UAE decorum law

The Federal National Council is to demand at Tuesday’s session that a law be issued on a UAE dress code so that local culture and sensibilities be respected by force of the law.
Hamad Ahmad Al Rahoumi, a member from Dubai, will be quizzing Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, on the issue.
Al Rahoumi told Gulf News there has to be a law and it has to be respected.
“There has to be respect for the people in the UAE. Residents and tourists should dress modestly and not spread their bad habits for our children to see and imitate,” he said.

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/government/uae-culture-minister-to-be-quizzed-on-dress-code-1.1034234

LDC
Posts 230

I've already noticed a big change in 'appropriate dressing for Dubai' since the recent media coverage. Mall security are starting to warn people that are dressed in an inappropriate manner according to UAE customs. They told me that there are now officials in the Malls after hundreds of complaints about people walking around in shorts, strappy tops and very short dresses. They advised that visitors would be informed of UAE dress code, covering shoulders and no shorts, short dresses/skirts or anything see through and given a booklet to read. Residents, they will take a firmer stand as they already know the UAE laws and are deliberately flouting them. The word out is that a warning will be given first and if repeated again then there is talk of fines or black points on your I.D. Card. They say that Sharjah and Abu Dhabi are already implementing the dress code strictly and Dubai has to also adhere to the UAE customs on appropriate dressing. I think that Mall security are just trying to make their job easier by saying that we should warn people if we see them dressing inappropriately, not sure if I would like to go down that route though!!

onceuponatime
Posts 208

http://www.emirates247.com/crime/local/indecent-acts-by-tourists-in-uae-are-not-criminal-offences-official-2012-05-27-1.460263?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Only for tourists???? Hmm......