Please refresh the page and retry. A British IT worker faces possible jail time after he was arrested in Dubai for sticking his middle finger up at another motorist. Some chaps enjoy dressing like a woman β and vice versa for ladies β which for open-minded individuals can be a fun and liberating experience; you should try it sometime.
In a loving relationship but not yet tied the knot? Same-sex marriages are not recognised in the UAE and homosexual intercourse is illegal, which, ultimately, makes the country one of the least hospitable nations in the world for gay men and women. Only old school analogue fags allowed in the UAE, where electronic ciggies are likely to be confiscated at the border.
Magaluf it is, then. Public intoxication is a big no-no in the UAE, though alcohol is available at licensed venues; non-Muslim residents can also get a liquor licence that permits them to drink alcohol at home. The legal age for drinking is 18 in Abu Dhabi and 21 in Dubai and the Northern Emirate except Sharjah, where boozing is illegal.
Even tipsy passengers transiting through the UAE can be arrested. Few nations trust their citizens enough to decide for themselves whether or not to take drugs; consequently narcotics remain illegal in most countries.
However, few countries have quite such severe laws as the UAE for people caught taking, trafficking or dealing drugs. Worst case scenario? The death penalty, which is about as bad as a worst case scenario gets. Caught snogging in the park? Then you may face a short stretch in the slammer in the UAE, which takes a dim view of public displays of affection. We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future.
