Cultural Relocation: Supporting Every Step of the Way

By-lined Article by Simon Mason, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Revenue Officer, Writer Relocations

The UAE is a popular destination for expats from around the world. With a good standard of living, plenty of job opportunities, best healthcare, varied food experiences and safe and secure environment, the country is known to be one of the most expat-friendly destinations. However, if you are moving to a new country, you might feet lost. Studies suggest that for 50 percent of people relocating, it takes them between six to 12 months to settle in a new location. 

As such, it is important that you receive the right support, guidance and advise every step of the way to experience a positive relocation to the UAE. At Writer Relocations, our team is well equipped to guide you through every step of the way to ensure you have complete information on the cultural practices of the UAE, as well as any other pertinent information.

Here's a quick checklist of the things you need to keep in mind to be able relocate and live a comfortable life.

Dress Modest - The UAE is a safe haven. However, being an Islamic country, it is best to wear modest clothes. Wearing decent clothing in public spaces is recommended.

Call to prayer – One of the best things about the UAE is the call to prayer. There are five daily calls to prayer, and if you live or work in an area close to a mosque, you will hear the call every day, making it easy for you to make time to offer prayers. 

Friday has off prayers time – Friday is a holy day in Islam, and recently the country has shifted its weekend to the global weekend days. However, most organisations work half day or are offered a break to offer prayers on this day.

Grape / Bubbly Consumption is not illegal – There are plenty of places that offer drinks and also have happy hours. Women can also enjoy ladies’ night, usually on Tuesdays, while there are countless brunch options with unlimited food and drink. However, the legal age for drinking in the UAE is 21, and some places have strict rules based on this.

Tipping is not customary in the UAE - There is no law in the UAE that says you must give anyone a tip. It is up to each customer to decide whether they want to tip their service provider. 

Important Festival and Occasions - Ramadan and Eid are the two important occasions celebrated in the UAE. While recently all rules regarding eating in public during Ramadan have been lifted, it is recommended to avoid eating in public spaces. You must also refrain from smoking. This is just to show that you value and nurture the cultural laws in the country.

Learning Arabic is not a mandate – Arabic is a great language, and while the country has diverse languages spoken, it is recommended to learn Arabic to immerse yourself in the cultural roots of the UAE. So, if you are relocating to the UAE, you will be exposed to varied beliefs, opinions, behaviours, cuisines, styles, festivals, events, and languages that you might be new, but can turn to be the best once you’re settled.

To ensure that you have a safe and secure move to the UAE, we at Writers Relocation take pleasure in making a seamless process for you and your family members.

For over 65 years, Writer Relocations have been a key player in the global relocation industry, providing end-to-end services in the people and asset mobility space. Every year, Writer Relocations, manages over 8,000 relocations, making it one of the preferred premium mobility players. We manage relocations for employees and executives of over 3,000 global companies. Writer Relocations has presence across 8 countries with a partner network across 190 countries.