Culture Shock in Abu Dhabi


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The expat community accounts for nearly 80 percent of the UAE's population, and many foreigners that find their way to Abu Dhabi quickly slide into a fairly insular niche made up of those from home or those from places similar to home. Nonetheless, culture shock in Abu Dhabi is still a force to be reckoned with.
Culture Shock in Abu Dhabi - call to prayer at the Grand Mosque
The UAE's capital city is bound by the same Muslim mandate present throughout the nation and the greater Middle East, and expats will need to make sure they're familiar with local laws, customs and behaviour. Non-Muslims are not expected to comply with Islamic code, but they are obligated to respect it; which can certainly take some adapting to in its own right.

Dress and behaviour should be modest, buying and consuming alcohol requires a licence, and living together without being married, conducting adultery and homosexual behaviour are illegal in the UAE.

Furthermore, the multicultural mix that's come to make up this emirate means that expats are likely to interact with individuals from any number of cultures in a single day. It's important to keep an open mind and to try your best to stay calm; remember that the Filipino taking your reservation may not have ever had to pronounce your name, and your Pakistani taxi driver may be as new to the city as you are.

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