Traditions and customs in Dubai

1. Majlis hospitality

The sitting room where guests are received, and the coffee-and-dates ritual that opens any Emirati meeting.

• Tip: Take the small cup with your right hand. Shake it side to side when you have had enough, or it keeps being refilled.

2. Arabic coffee and dates

Cardamom-heavy, lightly roasted qahwa, always served with dates. Offered at hotels, shops and homes.

3. Falconry

A Bedouin hunting tradition and now the national symbol, with heritage centres running handling sessions.

4. Ramadan observance

Daytime eating, drinking and smoking in public are prohibited for everyone, including visitors. Iftar at sunset is the compensation.

• Best time: The ninth Islamic month, moving about eleven days earlier each year

5. Henna

Applied at souks and salons in Khaleeji patterns for weddings and Eid, lasting one to two weeks.

• Cost: AED 50–200