Hospitality and Social Etiquette in

the UAE's Society

Overview of Hospitality and Social Etiquette in the
UAE's Society

Introduction to the UAE's Key Aspects of the UAE's Hospitality in the UAE's
Culture Culture Culture
Explore the rich history, Understand the significance of Learn about the importance of
traditions, and values that shape family, religion, and respect in generous and welcoming
the UAE's society. Emirati customs and behavior. hospitality.

Customs and Traditions Etiquette for Interacting with Emiratis

Discover the unique Emirati proverbs, gestures, and Explore the dress code, etiquette, and appropriate
social norms that guide daily life. behavior.
Introduction to the UAE's
Culture
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a rich country in history, tradition,
and cultural heritage. The UAE 's culture is deeply rooted in the desert
environment and shaped by the region's unique geography, Islamic
faith, and Bedouin heritage.

At the heart of UAE culture lies a strong sense of community,

hospitality, and respect for heritage. From the stunning architectural
styles to the traditional dress and cuisine, the UAE celebrates its
cultural identity with great pride.
Key Aspects of the UAE Culture
Hospitality Family Values
UAE culture highly values Families are the heart of UAE
hospitality, with hosts making society, with extended families
great efforts to welcome and often living and supporting
comfort guests. each other.

Islamic Traditions Modesty and Respect

Islam is the primary religion in UAE culture emphasizes
the UAE, and its teachings modesty and respect for elders.
influence UAE customs, values,
and daily life.
Emirati Etiquette for Hospitality and Interactions

Welcoming Hospitality Dining and Meal Etiquette

Emiratis are known for their generous and warm hospitality, Meals in Emirati homes are popular affairs, with the elders
often greeting guests with traditional Arabic coffee, dates, and seated at the head of the table. Guests are expected to eat with
genuine smiles to make them feel truly welcomed. their right hand and avoid leaving food on the plate.
Hospitality in the UAE's Culture

Warm Welcome Traditional Coffee Generous Spirit

Emiratis are known for their welcoming Serving traditional Arabic coffee, or Emiratis are known for their generosity,
hospitality, greeting guests with a smile qahwa, is an important part of Emirati sharing their food, time, and resources
and gestures of warmth and kindness. This hospitality, often with dates or sweets. with guests. This generosity extends
welcoming nature reflects the deep- This ritualistic act of offering coffee beyond material things, including a
rooted values of generosity and respect in signifies respect and shows that the host is willingness to share their culture,
Emirati culture. taking the time to make the guest feel traditions, and stories with those who visit
comfortable and valued. their land.
Traditional Emirati Greetings

Greetings at Meetings Greetings for Elders

When greeting Emiratis, the traditional greeting is to say "As- When greeting elders, Emiratis will typically kiss the elder's
salamu alaykum" while gently shaking hands or placing the hand or forehead to show respect and seek their blessing. This
right hand over the heart. This greeting expresses respect and gesture reflects the deep respect for seniors in Emirati culture.
well-wishes.
Dress Code and Etiquette

Modest clothing Traditional costume Respect for Customs

In the UAE's culture, it's important to Emirati men often wear the traditional When visiting Emirati homes or
dress modestly and conservatively, kandura with a headscarf. Women may mosques, remember to dress
especially for women. This means wear the abaya and the hijab, a head appropriately and respect local
covering arms and avoiding tight or covering. customs. It's common courtesy to
revealing clothing. remove your shoes before entering a
home and cover your head in a
mosque.
Etiquette During Meals

1 Seating Etiquette
In the UAE's culture, elders and guests of honor are seated
closest to the host. Seating arrangements follow a specific
order of respect and hierarchy.

2 Dining Etiquette
Emirati meals are typically eaten with the right hand only.
Diners should avoid reaching across the table or making loud
noises while eating.

3 Table Manners
It is considered polite to eat all the food on one's plate and to
avoid leaving any leftovers. Burping is seen as impolite.
Etiquette in the UAE's Homes
Removing Shoes
Take off your shoes when you enter an Emirati home as
a sign of respect.

Greeting the Host

Greet the host with a handshake and smile, making eye
contact.

Seating Arrangement
Sit where the host tells you to sit.
Emirati Proverbs
Emirati Proverbs

Emirati culture uses many old sayings that teach important lessons. These sayings are
used in daily life to share wisdom.

Meanings and Significance

Each saying has a deeper meaning that shows how Emirati people think about things
like hospitality, respect, and patience. Understanding these sayings helps understand
Emirati culture.

Connection to Everyday Life

Emirati sayings are used in conversations to give advice, explain things, or make a
point. They are a big part of Emirati culture.

Preserving Oral Tradition

Sharing these sayings from generation to generation helps keep Emirati culture alive.
Some Emirati Proverbs and Their Meanings

‫إ ذ ا ﺑﻐ ﯿﺖ ا ﻟ ﺠ ﻮ د د ق أ ھ ﻠ ﮫ‬ ‫ا ﻟ ﺰ ﺑ ﯿ ﺒ ﺔ ﻣ ﺎ ﺗ ﺸ ﺒ ﻊ ﻟ ﻜ ﻨ ﮭ ﺎ ﺗ ﻄ ﯿ ﺐ ا ﻟ ﺨ ﺎط ﺮ‬ ‫ﻣ ﻦ ﺑ ﻐ ﺎه ﻛ ﻠ ﮫ ﺧ ﻼ ه ﻛ ﻠ ﮫ‬ ‫إ ذ ا ﻣ ﺎ ط ﺎﻋ ﻚ ا ﻟ ﺰ ﻣ ﺎن ط ﯿ ﻌ ﮫ‬
If you want kindness, seek those who are A small thing may not satisfy, but it can He who wants everything will lose If time does not obey you, then obey it.
kind. make someone happy. everything.

‫ﺗ ﺎﺑ ﻊ ا ﻟ ﻤ ﺴ ﺎﻋ ﯿ ﺪ ﺗ ﺴ ﻌ ﺪ‬

Follow the happy people, and you will be

Some Emirati Proverbs and Their Meanings

‫ﺣﻠﻲ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ ﺗﻠﻘﻰ اﻟﻨﺎس ﺧﻼﻧﻚ‬ ‫اﻟﺒﻌﺪ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﻘﻠﻮب ﻣﺐ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﺪروب‬ ‫اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﯾﻌﺮﻓﻚ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺜﻤﻨﻚ‬ ‫ ﻣﺎ ﯾﮭﻤﻚ‬،‫ﺳﯿﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺒﻠﻚ‬
Those who don't know you A flood that doesn't reach
Sweeten your tongue, and Distance is between hearts, will not appreciate you you، doesn't concern you
you will find people to be not between paths
your friends
Some Emirati Proverbs and Their Meanings

‫ﺣﻼة اﻟﺜﻮب رﻗﻌﺘﮫ ﻣﻨﮫ وﻓﯿﮫ‬ ‫اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﯾﻌﺮف اﻟﺼﻘﺮ ﯾﺸﻮﯾﮫ‬ ‫اﻟﻌﻨﺰ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺸﻮف ذﯾﻠﮭﺎ‬
The beauty of a cloth is in its patches He who does not know the falcon will The goat does not see its own tail
roast it
Activity 1:
Consider some Emirati and non-Emirati proverbs and explore what
they mean within the context of your own culture. Share how these
sayings reflect shared values, wisdom, or life experiences across
different societies.
Importance of Family in the UAE's Culture

Family-Centric Multigenerational Respect for Elders Family Gatherings

Homes
Family is very important in Older people are respected Emirati families enjoy
the UAE. It provides It's common for families to in Emirati families. Their spending time together at
support, guidance, and a live together in Emirati wisdom and experience are meals, celebrations, and
sense of belonging for households, which helps valued, and children are important events,
Emirati people. keep family ties strong and taught to respect their strengthening family bonds
traditional values alive. elders. and creating a sense of
community.
The Role of Elders in Emirati
Households
Wisdom Family Guidance
Elders in Emirati culture are Elders offer advice and
highly respected for their guidance to younger family
experience and knowledge. members.

Intergenerational Preserving Traditions

Respect
Elders help keep cultural
Children are taught to traditions and values alive by
respect their elders, showing passing them down to
them deference and younger generations.
obedience.
Emirati Concepts of Modesty
and Respect

Modesty Respect for Elders

In Emirati culture, modesty is Respect for elders and people in
very important, both in clothing positions of authority is a very
and behavior. This is seen as a important value in Emirati
sign of respect and honor. culture. This means using polite
language and showing respect in
your body language.
Emirati Hospitality Towards
Guests

Welcoming Guests Offering Hospitality

Emiratis place great importance on Serving traditional coffee (gahwa)
welcoming guests warmly and and dates is a common way to extend
making them feel at home. Emirati hospitality.

Spending Quality Time Generosity

Emiratis will often dedicate Emiratis are known for their
significant time to converse and generosity in providing for the
engage with their guests. comfort and needs of their guests.
Etiquette for Public Behavior
Modesty and Respect Quiet Manner
In public, Emiratis value Emiratis generally prefer to
dressing modestly and keep things calm and quiet in
showing respect. they Avoid public places. they avoid loud
wearing clothes that are too conversations.
casual or revealing.
 Etiquette for Business
Interactions

1 Greetings and 2 Dress Code and

Introductions Appearance
Shake hands gently, Dress conservatively in
maintain eye contact, and modest, professional
use formal titles. clothes. Avoid revealing
clothing or clothing with
bold, bright patterns.
 Etiquette for Social Events

Weddings Festivals and Celebrations

Emirati weddings are elaborate affairs that showcase the Family gatherings during Eid and other festivals are important
community's rich cultural heritage. Guests are expected to social events in Emirati culture. Guests should greet elders
dress respectfully in traditional Emirati clothes. respectfully and participate in traditional rituals and customs.
Activity 2:
Share examples of etiquette in various contexts within Emirati and
non-Emirati cultures. Explain how these customs guide behavior in
different social, professional, or family settings, highlighting both
similarities and unique aspects across cultures.