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Life-Ready Society · Teacher and parent pack · Social dimension

Emirati Etiquette

Hospitality, respect and the customs of the UAE.

8 lessons, about 1.6 hours of reading. Free lessons, videos and full sources: https://lifereadysociety.com/emirati-etiquette/
How to use this pack. Ask your teen or class to read one lesson online (about ten minutes), talk through the key points together, choose one practice task to try this week, then use the quiz to check what stuck. The answer key is on the last page. Free to print for home and classroom use.

The lessons at a glance

1. Greetings the Emirati way

In Emirati culture, greetings are warm, unhurried and full of meaning. Taking time over them is a sign of respect, not a delay.

Key points

2. Respect for elders, seating, feet and gestures

Respect for elders and senior people runs through every Emirati gathering. Small physical habits communicate that respect.

Key points

3. The majlis and the gahwa ritual

The majlis (sitting room for guests) is the heart of Emirati hospitality, and Arabic coffee, gahwa, is its signature. In 2015 Arabic coffee was added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage after a joint nomination by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.

Key points

4. Dining the Emirati way

Shared meals are an expression of generosity. Knowing the customs lets you honour your host fully.

Key points

5. Ramadan etiquette

Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam. Whether or not you are fasting, how you behave in public during these weeks shows respect for those who are.

Key points

6. Eid, weddings and condolences

Family occasions are where tradition is strongest. Knowing what to wear, say and do lets you take part with confidence.

Key points

7. Titles and forms of address in the UAE

In the Gulf, titles signal family, rank and public office. Using them correctly is a mark of good upbringing.

Key points

8. Public conduct and the law in the UAE

In the UAE, some things that are 'just bad manners' elsewhere are covered by law. Knowing the difference protects you and shows respect for the country.

Key points

Talk about it, then try it

The real-life practice tasks from each lesson. Pick one or two a week and agree when you will check in.

  1. Greetings the Emirati way
  2. Respect for elders, seating, feet and gestures
  3. The majlis and the gahwa ritual
  4. Dining the Emirati way
  5. Ramadan etiquette
  6. Eid, weddings and condolences
  7. Titles and forms of address in the UAE
  8. Public conduct and the law in the UAE

Quiz

Name: ______________________ Date: ____________ Circle one answer for each question.

1. What is the reply to 'As-salaam alaikum'?
  1. 'Wa alaikum as-salaam'
  2. 'Ma'a as-salaama'
  3. 'Sabah al-khair, kaif halak'
  4. 'Ahlan wa sahlan'
2. You are a young man meeting an Emirati woman at a formal event. What do you do?
  1. Greet her with a light hug, as with a friend
  2. Greet her verbally and only shake hands if she offers
  3. Offer your hand first, as is polite
  4. Nod and avoid speaking to her at all
3. An older relative walks into the majlis. What do you do?
  1. Stay seated and greet them with a wave
  2. Wait until they reach you, then nod
  3. Carry on and greet them when they sit
  4. Stand up and greet them warmly
4. Which sitting position is respectful in front of important guests?
  1. Legs crossed with sole showing
  2. Feet flat, legs uncrossed
  3. Feet resting on the coffee table
  4. Ankle resting on your other knee
5. How do you signal you've had enough gahwa?
  1. Leave a little coffee in it and set it down
  2. Put the cup down on the floor beside you
  3. Turn the cup upside down on the tray
  4. Gently shake the cup as you hand it back
6. Who is served gahwa first?
  1. The host's closest friend
  2. The most important or oldest guest
  3. The youngest guest, as a kindness
  4. The guest nearest the door
7. When eating from a shared tray, where do you take food from?
  1. The centre of the tray
  2. The part directly in front of you
  3. Any side, using your right hand
  4. Wherever the best pieces are
8. You've finished and are full. What does an empty plate signal at an Emirati meal?
  1. That the food was too salty
  2. Nothing at all; it has no meaning
  3. You disliked the food and want to stop
  4. You may still be hungry, so it may be refilled
9. You are not fasting and feel thirsty in a mall during Ramadan daytime. What do you do?
  1. Drink by a mall fountain, away from the shops
  2. Drink inside a restaurant or a private space
  3. Drink quickly as you walk through the mall
  4. Chew gum instead, as it is less noticeable
10. What is a common Ramadan greeting?
  1. 'Happy Ramadan Day'
  2. 'Ramadan Kareem'
  3. 'Good fast'
  4. 'Eid Mubarak'
11. What should you wear to a condolence gathering (azza)?
  1. Dark, simple clothes with minimal jewellery
  2. Your most elegant outfit and best jewellery
  3. Bright, festive clothes to lift everyone's mood
  4. Comfortable sportswear, as visits are short
12. Is it appropriate to bring flowers to an azza?
  1. Only white flowers, as a sign of peace
  2. No, flowers are for happy occasions
  3. Yes, a large bouquet shows real care
  4. Yes, if you bring them with dates
13. How do you address an ambassador in writing?
  1. 'Your Highness' followed by their first name only
  2. His/Her Excellency (HE) plus their name
  3. Sheikh or Sheikha plus their name
  4. 'Dear Sir or Madam' with no name
14. How is a UAE Ruler addressed in speech?
  1. 'Your Highness'
  2. 'Your Excellency'
  3. 'Mr Ruler'
  4. By first name
15. You see a funny moment in the mall involving strangers. Can you film and post it?
  1. Yes, but only on a private account
  2. No, not without consent; it may be an offence
  3. Yes, because anyone in a mall is in public view
  4. Yes, if you add a filter or blur the background
16. Who may ride in the Dubai Metro Women and Children cabin?
  1. Men after 10pm
  2. Only Gold Class ticket holders
  3. Women and children only
  4. Anyone

Answer key

  1. A: The standard reply returns the greeting of peace.
  2. B: UAE government portal: don't shake hands with the opposite gender unless they offer first.
  3. D: UAE government portal: stand up for new guests and older or higher-ranking people.
  4. B: The UAE portal advises not crossing legs in front of important guests.
  5. D: Visit Abu Dhabi: a gentle shake of the cup says you've had enough.
  6. B: Abu Dhabi Culture: the most important or oldest guest first.
  7. B: The National and Islamic etiquette: eat from what is in front of you.
  8. D: Visit Abu Dhabi: leaving some food shows you are full.
  9. B: Restaurants are open; public eating and drinking in fasting hours should be avoided.
  10. B: Khaleej Times: say Ramadan Kareem or Ramadan Mubarak. 'Eid Mubarak' is for Eid.
  11. A: Gulf News: dark clothes, no make-up or decorative jewellery.
  12. B: The National: flowers are for happy occasions.
  13. B: The National: ambassadors are referred to as HE plus their name.
  14. A: Forms of Address: a Ruler is addressed in speech as 'Your Highness'.
  15. B: Federal Decree-Law 34 of 2021 makes photographing or sharing people's images without consent an offence.
  16. C: Gulf News: men should not enter or walk through it; there is a fine.

General information only, written from the sources listed in each online lesson. Laws, numbers and services change, so check official sources. Life-Ready Society, https://lifereadysociety.com/emirati-etiquette/