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[johnslat]

No dancing in public: Dubai

"DUBAI: Playing loud music, dancing, nudity, kissing and even holding hands in public is considered inappropriate behavior under new guidelines laid down by the authorities of Dubai, a report said yesterday.

The Arabic-language daily Al-Emarat Al-Youm said the Dubai Executive Council has urged residents of Dubai, where foreigners make up more than 80 percent of the population, to respect the customs of the country and avoid inappropriate behavior.

The rules, which apply to all public places, include a ban on all forms of nudity, playing music loudly and dancing, exchange of kisses between men and women � and even on unmarried couples holding hands.

Any breach of the guidelines, by nationals or expatriates, carries a possible prison penalty, the paper said.

The guidelines also stipulate that anyone caught under the influence of alcohol � even small amounts � outside designated drinking areas is liable to being fined or imprisoned, the paper added.

Dubai, a member of the seven-emirate United Arab Emirates, has a diverse culture as it is home to a huge foreign population.

Unlike most of its neighbors, the emirate tolerates a relatively relaxed dress code and hosts dozens of hotels that have bars and clubs.

However, a series of incidents, including crackdowns on cross dressers and the expulsion of two British expatriates found guilty of having sex on the beach, has thrown into the limelight the sometimes clashing local and foreign cultures."

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=24&section=0&article=120284&d=15&m=3&y=2009

[veiledsentiments]

I don't see anything new in that article. That has always been the rule structure in the Gulf. Only Dubai stopped enforcing the rules to encourage tourism and now have decided that it was time to get back to basics.

The key word there is "public" - things will stay the same in the clubs, hotels, and homes. I never found it a difficult law structure to live with... in fact, even here in the US when I see a drunken couple, slobbering and groping in a shopping mall or anywhere else in public, my immediate thought is "just GET A ROOM!!"

And to be honest, I have always had that opinion. Hand-holding seems innocent enough. And I always thought it just a bit strange that in the Gulf, it was completely proper for two men or two women to kiss each on the cheek in public, but it wasn't for a man and woman - even if they are married to each other.

A middle ground would be nice...

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

What the heck is this world coming to if you can't party naked in Dubai?!? Next thing you know, cats will be sleeping with dogs !

NCTBA

[johnslat]

Dear NCTB,

http://joker.icm.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/image/dogSleepCat.jpg

http://curiousanimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/cat-and-dog-sleep.jpg

http://www.catfactfiles.com/wp-includes/images/135cat-dog.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/mjbmeister/R-468n83JQI/AAAAAAAADKM/_DWCFBaBjok/s288/cat-dog-14.jpg

Regards,
John

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Yup, I tol' ya so!

NCTBA

[Sheikh N Bake]

Yes but what about that "no dancing" clause? That is not reasonable, if true.

[freesoul]

I think it is obviously a reaction to the British couple who have been jailed for three months for having sex on a beach in Dubai.

[johnslat]

Dear freesoul,
Except they weren't jailed; they were deported and are back in Britain:

"The pair were initially given three-month jail terms for unmarried sex and public indecency, but these were suspended on appeal."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3934565/Dubai-beach-sex-couple-land-back-in-Britain.html

[kiefer]

Ok. So, "Playing loud music" dancing, nudity, kissing" no problem there. But "holding hands in public" wouldn't apply to sub-continental laborers out for an evening constitutional, would it? What with the recent ban on hocking betel loogies, these fellows have so few guilty pleasures as it now stands.

[veiledsentiments]

You are forgetting that it is perfectly OK for two men or two women to hold hands, walk arm-in-arm, put their arm around each other... or even kiss on the cheek (numerous times).

The problem only comes in if it is an opposite sex couple.

VS
(PS... John... I think our illustrious couple did serve some time in jail, but got out on bail for the trial... which is when they were deported. Or the articles that I read were incorrect. Inaccurate reporting would be a shocking concept, but possible )

[uaeobserver]

There's more than one episode of sex on the beach.

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/09/03/13/10294224.html

Favorite quote:

[Zoot]

Ahh ... but ya'll provide good reading entertainment you people who post on this site.

[hamergirl]

looks like the bail out wasn't free, eh?

[spicegirl]

Good point, hamergirl, I hadn't thought of that one, but it's not beyond the realms of possibility.

[johnslat]

Dear veiledsentiments,

"who have been jailed for three months . . ."

Yup, they were arrested initially, but I was responding to the poster's use of the present perfect, which gives the inaccurate idea that the couple, jailed three months ago, are still in the slammer.
Regards,
John