LIVING IN THE UAE

PERCEPTIONS

The United Arab Emirates is a modern country filled with modern luxuries, consumer products, and high technology. However, social practice in Emirati society as a whole is conservative due to the strong influence of tradition, family, religion, paternal authority, and social class distinctions. While Gulf countries pride themselves on their tolerance of foreign influences within their society, faculty should be sensitive to and respectful of the formalities of Arab society. A few aspects that merit special attention here are: clothing, male-female relations, and religion.

CLOTHING

Students, faculty, and staff on campus wear a wide range of clothing styles. While some students on campus wear their national dress, others wear blue jeans and baseball caps. In the UAE, the style of clothing for professionals is more formal than on typical American campuses. Male faculty usually wear slacks and dress shirts, both with and without neckties. Female faculty usually wear pantsuits or skirts to the knee with blouses that cover the upper arms. Female faculty should not wear lowcut necklines or sheer material.

A variety of clothing styles is recommended, as different situations require different types of dress. Shorts and sleeveless t-shirts are considered to be beachwear and only appropriate on the beach. Upper arms and legs of both males and females should be covered when on city streets. For dining out or attending private parties, cocktail-type dresses can be worn.

Clothing should generally be lightweight, easily cleaned and practical, especially for the summer months. Synthetic fibers can be too hot; cotton, linen, and silk are best. During the winter months, warmer garments, such as those with long sleeves, sweaters and jackets, are sometimes worn in the evenings. There are official university functions that require semi formal dress. Women should bring long skirts, and men should bring a suit.

There are many tailors in town who are able to copy any style of clothing at very reasonable prices. They can make things from patterns and pictures or make a copy of a garment that you already have. Fabric is readily available. It is possible to buy nice cottons, although synthetic fabrics are more common.

MALE/FEMALE RELATIONS

The family is the central unit in Arab life and most live at home in a close-knit family atmosphere until marriage, and have social obligations to family members. Traditionally, any major decision for the child such as choice of a school or a mate is a corporate family decision, with the main concern being how that choice will reflect on the family. With the establishment of AUS as the major coeducational university in the UAE, young people have more opportunities to meet members of the opposite sex without parental supervision. Dating before engagement is not a common practice, but it should be remembered that our students currently come from over fifty different countries, so some variance occurs.

In Gulf Arab society there are fairly strict social conventions regarding what is considered appropriate behavior. Females, both Arab and Western are generally subjected to more social scrutiny than males. Female faculty members should be aware that this extends to both actions and dress.

Although it is not always the case, male faculty may find that some female students will not come to see a professor in his office without being accompanied by one or more of her female friends. This is to be respected as being culturally appropriate in this context.

RELIGION

Islam is a powerful influence on life in Sharjah and the UAE. There are many beautiful mosques in Sharjah, including one on campus. While not all members of the AUS community participate in daily prayer, prayer rooms are provided in some campus buildings for those individuals who wish to pray. Holidays in the academic schedule revolve around the major Islamic holidays. Phrases like "inshaa' allah" (God willing) and "alhamdu lillaah" (thanks be to God) are heard frequently in conversation among students and faculty, and they are usually spoken with heartfelt sincerity.

Islam is the official religion of the state, and Arab Islamic culture predominates in the UAE. Yet, tolerance toward the large expatriate communities is the norm, and communities of other religious beliefs practice their religions freely within the UAE's cosmopolitan society.

Keeping these cultural and religious concerns in mind, it is possible to live very happily in the UAE. There is quite a large expatriate population to whom the international hotels cater with western entertainment and celebrations for special occasions.

Following these simple guidelines will make you an even more welcome guest in one of the world’s safest, most secure and friendly destinations.