Traveling in The UAE
Language
Basic Niceties
Hello Marhaba God willing Insha’allah Who?/What? Man?/Maadha?
How are you? Kaif il haal? Please (to a man) Min fadlak Where?/Why? Ayne?/Lee matha?
Good morning Sabaah ilkhayr Please (to a woman) Min fadlik How much? Cost bekam?
Good evening Massa’il khayr Thank you (very much) Shukran (jazeelan) How many? Kam?
Greetings A’salamu alaykum Yes/No Na’am/laa The bill please Al fatourah min fadlak
Welcome Ahlan wa sahlan I don’t know Laa aarif
Goodbye Ma’is salaama
Sorry Aasif
Advanced Pleasantries
Do you speak English? Titkallam inglizi? What’s your job? (to a man) Ma heya wazeeftak? Thanks for coming Shukran limajee’ak
I don’t speak Arabic Ma atakallam arabi Where do you live? (to a man) Ayne taskun? Best wishes Atyab al-tamaniyat
Nice to meet you Fursa saeeda I live/work in… Askum/aamal fi… Calm down (to a man) Ihda nafsak
What’s your name? (to a man) Ma ismak? Congratulations Mabrouk When will I see you? Mata sa’araak?
What's your name? (to a woman) Ma ismik? Happy Birthday Eid maleed saeed Wait a little Intazarni kalilan
My name is… Ismee… With pleasure Bikul siroor Can I help you? (to a man) Mumkin saadak?
How old are you? (to a man) Kam oumrak? Have a good trip Atamana lak rehla muafaqa Can I help you? (to a woman) Mumkin saadik?
How old are you? (to a woman) Kam oumrik
Numbers & Time
Zero Sifr Twelve Itna’ash Tuesday Al talata
One Wahid Thirteen Talata’ash Wednesday Al arba’a
Two Itnan Fourteen Arba’a ta’ash Thursday Al khamees
Three Talata Fifteen Khamista’ash Friday Al juma’a
Four Arba’a Sixteen Sitta’ash Saturday Al sabt
Five Khamsa Seventeen Saba’a ta’ash Minute Daqiqa
Six Sitta Eighteen Tamanta’ash Hour Sa’aa
Seven Saba’a Nineteen Tis a ta'ash Day Yom
Eight Tamanya Twenty Ishreen Month Shahr
Nine Tisa’a One hundred Meyah Year Sana
Ten Ashra Sunday Al ahad Today Al yom
Eleven Heda’ash Monday Al itnayn Yesterday Ams
Getting Around
Airport Matar Road Tareeq Father Ab
Post office Maktab al barid Bridge Jisr Mother Umm
Bank Bank Mosque masjid Husband Zauj
Passport Jawaz safar Bazaar Souk WifeZaujah
My luggage Shanati Boat Markab Child Tifl
Ticket Tath karah Beach Al bahar
Taxi Taxi Customs Jumrok
Car Say yarra Library Maktabah
City Madina Shop Mahall
Street Shaarah Museum Mathaf
For Emergencies
Police 999
Ambulance 998 or 999
Fire brigade 997
Bureau De Change
Rates vary from one place to another, but it is worth noting that the airport is the first place you can but the last place you should change your money. There are several money changers located in the city centers of most of the Emirates. They tend to only deal in cash but their rates can be lower than that of banks, particularly if you are exchanging a large sum.
Travelers’ checks are accepted with ID in banks, hotels, and other licensed exchange offices affiliated with the issuing bank. Exchange houses make a profit on the difference between the rates at which they buy and sell.
ATMs
The majority of banks and hotels in the UAE have ATMs, which are convenient for withdrawing UAE dirham (AED).
Most credit cards and Cirrus- and Plus- enabled cash cards are accepted. Check with your personal bank for charges regarding overseas cash withdrawals.
Banks
There are a number of international banks in the city such as HSBC, Citibank, Standard Chartered, and Lloyds TSB, as well as locally based operations. Opening hours are normally between 8AM to 3PM, from Saturdays to Wednesdays, and from 8AM until 12PM on Thursdays. All institutions are closed on Friday. They offer comprehensive commercial and personal services, and transfers and exchanges are simple.
Tipping
Hotel and restaurants usually include a 15% service charge in the bill. In the case where there is no service charge, adding 10% is normal if not obligatory. It is common to pay taxi drivers a small tip; rounding up the fare to the nearest AED 5 is normal practice. For other services such as supermarket baggers, petrol pump attendants, and hotel valets, it is customary to give at least a couple of dirham.
Mobile Phones
Dubai has one of the highest rates of mobile phone usage in the world.
A reciprocal agreement exists with over 60 countries, allowing GSM international roaming service for other networks in the UAE.
However, the main telecommunications providers, Etisalat and Du Telecom, have recently launched cheaper alternatives specifically for short-term visitors:
- Etisalat: Ahlan
- Du: The Visitor Mobile Line
Local Customs
Dubai is considered to be the most forward thinking emirate in the UAE, but that does not mean it has abandoned its traditional ways altogether. While visiting, it is important to respect the local customs and laws, so as not to offend anyone.
- Don’t kiss in public even if you are married. Public displays of affection are frowned upon.
- Don’t wear overly revealing clothes. Dubai has decency laws that apply to clothing.
- Don’t drink alcohol in public places.
- Pork and alcohol are only served in licensed hotels.
- Harassing women is illegal in Dubai. If you feel that you are being harassed by anyone, make sure to notify the police.
- If you enter a mosque, always take off your shoes. If you’re a woman, cover your hair. When inside, be quiet and don’t interrupt others while they pray.
- Be polite to people. Swearing and making obscene gestures could land you in jail.
- Don’t buy alcohol for a Muslim. Muslims are not allowed to drink.
- Some medications are illegal in Dubai. Check with local authorities to make sure that all your medications are legal. If they aren’t, ask your doctor to fax you a prescription.
- Don’t take pictures of Emirates (especially women) and government buildings.
- Don’t put your feet up on chairs and tables in public. Showing the soles of your feet is considered rude.