Wednesday, November 12, 2008

When-in-Dubai Guide

London Times carries this story:

One of Dubai’s most popular beach hotels has issued guests with an “etiquette guide” after two Britons were convicted for having sex on the beach near the hotel.

The etiquette guides, which suggest the hotel’s guests could be arrested for inappropriate public displays, are left on tables during the weekly brunch event at the Madinat Jumeirah hotel.

The guests should "employ discretion" in expressing affection publicly, says the hotel, with "anything more than a peck on the cheek" likely to result in police involvement.


But the problem is that the hotel encourages the guests to go that way:

Brunches take place across Dubai every Friday, the first day of the Dubai weekend, and are heavily promoted in Dubai's Time Out and enjoyed to the full by expatriates. The lavish affairs last from late morning into the early evening when diners can enjoy unlimited food and alcohol for a fixed entry fee.


So,

On the subject of drunkenness, the hotel’s etiquette guide warns: “Drinking is not a part of Muslim culture and alcohol is not served openly. Drunken behaviour, especially outside licensed premises in the hotel, is severely punished.”


And it seems that

More than one million Britons visited Dubai last year, with twice as many expatriates now living in the Emirate. The Madinah Jumeirah is one of Dubai's biggest and most popular beach hotels, next to the iconic seven-star Burj Al-Arab. More Britons visit than any other nationality - the hotel has 584 rooms in total, split between the Mina A'Salam and Al Qasr brands.

A spokeswoman for the hotel told Times Online: "Following the recent media attention surrounding etiquette in the Emirate, we have received additional enquiries from our guests. As a result, we have taken the initiative to produce information cards to inform our guests about local culture and customs here in Dubai.

“These cards are distributed throughout and advise our guests about driving around the Emirate, acceptable dress codes, public displays of affection, drinking and other responsible and respectful behaviour.”


One million?

But loved this comment of one Gordon Young of Chelmsford:

What a shame Arab playboys don't follow this code of behaviour when they visit decadent western countries.

No comments: