is dubai safe for a 15 year old and his dad to visit for about a month?

Question

is it safe for a 15 year old boy and his dad to visit friends in dubai?


could you also tell me some things that is disrespectful?

ex: showing the sole of your feet

Answer 1

Dubai is a great city and absolutely safe to visit as a family or even alone.
we were there about 3 years ago and i had researched the etiquette bit to share with my family, so i have quite a comprehensive list of the do's & don'ts that i had saved.

• Guests are honored with prime choice of meats - head, eyes, etc.
• Eat with right hand only. Islamic etiquette requires that the left hand not be used, especially when greeting people, eating and serving food. It is the hand that is unclean, and is traditionally reserved for hygiene.
• Meat is torn by holding down the piece against the dish and ripping off a desired amount with forefinger and thumb pressed together
• Do not be afraid of making a mess.
• If you are finished leave food on your plate otherwise it will be filled immediately.
• It is proper etiquette to compliment the host on the food and his hospitality.
• The head of the family or honored guest is served first. It is good etiquette to insist the most senior is served first instead of you. It is polite to wait to be asked to begin eating.
• Asking for more food is a compliment.
• Do not reveal the sole of your shoe to an individual, either by accidentally sitting broadly cross-legged, or otherwise: it is considered extremely rude, as it is the part of the body that touches the dirt.
• Be respectful of those praying during daily prayer times (dawn, noon, afternoon, dusk, nighttime): do not walk too close in front of them, and do not disturb them. During Ramadan, be especially considerate in public of those observing the fast.
• Invitations to a Saudi home are often extended to a man alone. If his wife is included in the invitation, she may be sent to eat with the other women in a separate room or quarters.
• When invited into a home (or especially a mosque), be sure to remove your shoes.
Gestures
It's not only what you say that can be misunderstood, but what you do as well. The gestures you take for granted in American society may land you in a cultural minefield. For example, when Americans really like something, they give it "two thumbs up." However, in the Middle East, that gesture is the same as giving someone the finger.
In the Middle East, never give gifts of alcohol or pigskin. These are offensive to people of the Muslim faith. And in most cases, it would be inappropriate to give a gift to the businessman's wife.

Sorry about the lengthy reply...but i guess you asked for it!!!

Answer 2

i have was living there for the past 2 years and im a girl so its a save place for a 15 year old to go! its an amazing place. dubai are more for tourist so its kind of free with the muslims not everything i will say but most of it!

enjoy

Answer 3

if you're asking security-wise, it's safe. You see a lot of tourists & a lot of them from the western countries. The environment is open, it isn't like the other gulf countries, since it is a tourist destination & a lot of people, infact most of the population is from elsewhere.

erm, how does showing your sole become disrespectful? Do you mean wearing flip-flops or perhaps wearing shorts? I dont know but if it's either of that, then it's pretty common to wear those & not considered disrespectful AT ALL.

Answer 4

It is very safe to visit. My mum and I visited last year twice and are going again in November.

My mum and I walked the streets well past 11pm and felt NO harm at all.

Depending where you go for example, to a Mosque to sight see, you want to be covered respectfully.

UAE is very westernized however remember to be respectful. I mean don't stare at women or drink openly in the streets.

Check out the site below, it gives great pointers of the country you are visiting.

Enjoy your trip. I know my mum and I will!!!

Answer 5

Dubai is very safe, i go a lot there
there are lots of nationalities
so traditions and thing like this are mixed
it is a Muslim country but the people there are very open minded

Answer 6

When I got my passport and travel arrangements recently, both places had booklets on the ways of life for the areas I would be visiting.

Answer 7

You will be fine. You may well get a leaflet when you get your visa. If not then just go onto the Internet to www.dxbcustoms.gov.ae

Answer 8

its a very safe city and country in general .. just act with respect and i mean general respect for everything .. in other words .. behave =)

Answer 9

Right now I say is not a good time. too much unrest and things going on.

Answer 10

for you it is safe but your dad i don,t think so if he is the kind who loves night life ??????