Not really budget related - Abu Dhabi

[vsimeone]

I'm going to Abu Dhabi for a business trip in October. More than the money issue (since it's not MY dime!) I'm looking for information about the Islamic culture. I will be working with hospital personnel there for a week. I know that you are supposed to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees but what about shoes? Are flip flops or open toed shoes okay?

Also, I wear a crucifix every day. Would this be offensive in Abu Dhabi? I want/need to show every ounce of respect to the Muslim/Islamic culture but my internet searches really haven't given a whole lot of details. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Kay1]

Have you tried a search for "traveling to Abu Dhabi?" When we were planning a trip to Mexico I did that. I wanted to learn about the currency and ended up learning a lot more.

Personally, I would wear my cross; it doesn't sound like you'll be wearing plunging necklines anyway. And since this trip is business-related, closed-toe shoes would probably be more appropriate, IMO.

Have a wonderful experience.

 

[eliza61]

As per a good friend of mine who is from Saudi arabia.
I would loose the crucifix and skip the flip flops. According to Amir, most Muslim country's are a lot more formal. He suggest think of it as if you were going to a semi formal dinner at strangers house you generally would not wear shorts and flipflops. They tend to from on "form fitting clothes- tight" clothes but they do get a lot of foreign business so it's not shocking to them.

Remember Religion in the middle east is also a lot more formal than it is here in the states. It pretty much governs what they can and cannot do. Also remember that you will have a "call to prayer" 5 times a day. so many people will stop, wash themselves and face Mecca to pray.

Good luck and enjoy, what a fascinating opportunity.

 

[JB2K]

I know that you are supposed to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees but what about shoes? Are flip flops or open toed shoes okay?

Also, I wear a crucifix every day. Would this be offensive in Abu Dhabi?

As I have been in and out of Saudi Arabia over the past 20 years, even though Dubai is a jump ahead of other nations in the region (as it is an emerging business hub), I can say with confidence that any public display of non-Muslim religious symbols in the region is not recommended.

As for attire, keep it plain and conversative. Very conservative. If you're female, I would forgo the colored nail polish.

Leave the flip-flops (and other "touristy" clothing) in your hotel room.

Also, if you are a BlackBerry user through your work, you may want to pay attention to recent news coming out of that region, as they may be turning-off the service later, this year.

 

[budbeerlady]

Can I add that I am so jealous! What a fantastic opportunity!

I would still wear the cross under my clothes, it wont be noticeable and you are not compromising what you believe for another's culture/religion. From the few people I have talked to who traveled there (all men oddly!) I would go very conservative, from shoes, to jewelry, etc. They had a wonderful time but kept saying it was the most expensive place they had ever been.

 

[tinker&belle]

If it were me, I would do what I could to blend in as much as possible. I don't know if you have seen the movie Sex in the City 2, but Charlotte had a Jewish married name. She used another name, Jones (I think her maiden name.)

When her friends questioned her on it, she said 'It's the middle east.' They said, 'But it is the NEW middle east.' She replied, 'It's still the middle east.'

I would leave non-muslim symbols at home. If you are accused of trying to proselytize, it could be evidence held against you.

 

[penn19]

If it were me, I would do what I could to blend in as much as possible. I don't know if you have seen the movie Sex in the City 2, but Charlotte had a Jewish married name. She used another name, Jones (I think her maiden name.)

When her friends questioned her on it, she said 'It's the middle east.' They said, 'But it is the NEW middle east.' She replied, 'It's still the middle east.'

I would leave non-muslim symbols at home. If you are accused of trying to proselytize, it could be evidence held against you.

I agree with this. They have a whole different way of thinking, and I would not tempt fate.

 

[Tiana]

......

 

[vsimeone]

Thank you, so much, for all the imput! I can definately forgo jewelry and flip flops for a week! Good to know about the colored nail polish too. I would have NEVER thought of that one!

I have some time but I am trying to take stock of my wardrobe to see what would be appropriate. Like I said, my goal is to not offend anyone. If the clients that we are working with in Abu Dhabi like our software, potentially all other 6 emerites will come on board as well. So there is a lot at stake here and I am more than willing to "blend in" for a week. Neither my clothes nor my jewelry make me who I am!

Thank you, again. I will be busy visiting the links that you all have provided. Have a wonderful day!

 

[delmar411]

Thank you, so much, for all the imput! I can definately forgo jewelry and flip flops for a week! Good to know about the colored nail polish too. I would have NEVER thought of that one!

I have some time but I am trying to take stock of my wardrobe to see what would be appropriate. Like I said, my goal is to not offend anyone. If the clients that we are working with in Abu Dhabi like our software, potentially all other 6 emerites will come on board as well. So there is a lot at stake here and I am more than willing to "blend in" for a week. Neither my clothes nor my jewelry make me who I am!

Thank you, again. I will be busy visiting the links that you all have provided. Have a wonderful day!

When my mother traveled there for business, she purchased outfits specifically to adhere to proper dress there. She said it was brutally hot so she went for all cotton long sleeved loose fitting tops and long skirts and loose pants.

You'll want to remain covered as much as possible and show as little skin as you can handle. You don't need to cover your hair though.

 

[java]

Well my only knowledge of Abu Dhabi is from Sex in the City 2- so I'm no help. Have a great trip!

 

[Justsyd2]

This site has some good information for you. Have a great trip!

 

[prncess674]

Here is some information from a group of people much more qualified to answer this question.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/middle-east/811993-dubai-workplace-dress-code.html

 

[Evi]

I have a friend who travels very often with her husband to middle east, Dubai, Abudabi, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. She chose to purchase her own custom made Abayas. She said though you are able to dress very much the norm as an American in the middle east if you don't want men staring at you cover it up. She said when you are in an all women environment or the house of friends or hotels you don't need to wear it but when she goes to her husbands place of work or out shopping she wears an abaya but no head scarf. She said she does wear a head scarf in Saudi Arabia but you should be ok without one in Abu Dabi. She also said if your abaya is long enough you can wear whatever foot wear you want but that you will notice most women are dressed to kill under there abaya. She said don't be surprised if you see jimmy choos sticking out and if your in flipflops you may feel under dressed.

My niece also just came back from a trip to Qatar and she said that all the girls were dressed in top name designers under there abayas. To the point that she felt under-dressed when she went to a friends house for dinner. She also had an Abaya that a friend had made for her. You may want to contact coworkers who have done what your doing for their opinions. But from what people have told me you don't have to cover up but if you don't want men gawking cover up.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would see if there are some female non-local employees at the company you'll be going to, to see what they do. On top of everything else mentioned, of course.

 

[Samar]

A little late coming to the thread but abayas are definitely easy to dress up or dress down. I wear them when I want to wear capris and a tank top on a hot day. Even a loose long sleeve kaftan shirt with a covered neck and a loose long skirt would probably work. I am not sure about covering hair there but it would look out of place to wear an abaya and not a headscarf (IMO).

If you must wear your cross, wear it underneath your clothes. And wear sensible shoes as well.

You should talk to someone you will be working with about the cultural dos/don'ts and what kind of dress is permitted in the workplace