As modern as some emirates may be, it is essential that you are aware of the local customs and traditions, even when it comes to dating. Read also Things to see and to do in the United Arab Emirates. As the concept of dating is not widely accepted in the Emirati culture , you'll find that most locals do not openly date. Thus, there is no local dating culture in the UAE. As an expat, however, you don't have to strictly follow local traditions.
With that, it's important to be respectful of social norms and rules. Excessive public displays of affection are generally frowned upon across the country. You'd be fine with hand-holding in more lenient emirates, like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but it would be best to avoid this in more conservative emirates like Sharjah. Touching and kissing in public is not appropriate regardless of which emirate you are in, and could possibly land you in trouble with the police. Avoid talking about romance, dating, and your relationship with the Emiratis unless you have developed a personal and friendly relationship with them , as these topics are not considered appropriate.
Read also The local culture in Dubai. If you are living in a big city like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you will have access to restaurants, bars, clubs, and hotels that are used to serving expats. This means that you will have no problem inviting your date over for cocktails.
Note, however, that while you can enjoy your drink at the hotel or restaurant, drinking in public is strictly forbidden. While there are offline dating options in the UAE , online dating remains very popular in the expat community. The online dating scene is constantly changing, and many dating apps are actually banned in the UAE. It's best to ask your fellow expats about what apps or websites they are using, as they will have the most up-to-date information. When meeting someone online, do remember that dating and sex before marriage while not illegal are frowned upon.
Do your best to respect local rules so as not to get into trouble. Read also Things to do on weekdays and weekends in Abu Dhabi. Expat forums, meetings and clubs can also be good locations for meeting new people in the UAE.
