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Food & Drink: Specialities of Arab cuisine include hoummus (chickpea and sesame paste), tabbouleh (bulghur wheat with mint and parsley), ghuzi (roast lamb with rice and nuts), warak enab (stuffed vine leaves) and koussa mashi (stuffed courgettes). In the Emirates, makbous (spicy lamb with rice) and seafood with spicy rice are also popular. Local fruit and vegetables are increasingly available and there is excellent local fish. Hotels serve both European and Arab food and there is also a number of Chinese, Indian and other restaurants. Frozen foods from all over the world are available in supermarkets.
All the Emirates, with the exception of Sharjah, permit the consumption of alcohol by non-Muslims. It is illegal to drink alcohol in the street or to buy it for a UAE citizen. Ayran (a refreshing yoghurt drink) or strong black coffee are served on many occasions.
Nightlife: There are several nightclubs located in major centres and entertainment ranges from Arabic singers and dancers to international pop stars. Bars are found in all top hotels and range from sophisticated cocktail lounges to English-style pubs. Some hotels also have discos. Traditional dances are performed on public holidays. Most large towns have cinemas showing English-language films.
Shopping: Customs duties are low and therefore luxury goods are cheaper than in most countries. The Dubai duty-free shop is one of the cheapest in the world. Souks sell traditional Emirate leather goods, gold, brass and silverware. Shopping hours: Daily 0900-2100. Shops close for prayers Fri 1130-1330.
Special Events: The following is a selection of major festivals and other special events celebrated in the United Arab Emirates during 2003:
Jan 10 Dubai Marathon. Jan 15-Feb 15 Dubai Shopping Festival. Mar 6-9 Dubai Desert Classic (golf tournament); Dubai Tennis Open. Mar 29 Dubai World Cup (horse race). Jun UAE National Sailing Championships, Dubai. Jun/Aug Dubai Summer Surprises (shopping festival). Dec Dubai Rugby Sevens; National Day Festival.
Social Conventions: Muslim religious laws should be observed. Women are expected to dress modestly and men should dress formally for most occasions. Smoking is the same as in Europe and in most cases it is obvious where not to smoke, except during Ramadan when it is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public. Tipping: Most hotels, restaurants and clubs add fairly high service charges to the bill, therefore tipping is not necessary. Taxi drivers are not tipped.
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