Abu Dhabi Tourist Traps

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Wasta is a word often heard in Dubai in the UAE. It is Arabic and translates as something like authority, influence, political (or other) power, connections, or a combination of those terms. In practical terms it means that some rules can become more flexible if you have wasta, or know someone who has wasta. Also, a bit of wasta can smooth or speed up business transactions, bureaucratic issues, and other official procedures. At its best (or worst, depending on your point of view), a good dose of wasta could keep you out of jail or save you from other unpleasant consequences of dubious activities.

The common English expression "it's not what you know but who you know ... " is a rough equivalent of wasta.

On the wasta scale (not that there is an official one), things that can make a difference in the UAE are your nationality, your profession, who you work for, who you know, your political position in the country, your connections to people in positions of authority. Money and how long you have lived in the UAE don't usually directly affect your wasta level but indirectly they do since longer term residents may have built up a larger network of high-wasta friends, and rich people often associate with other rich people who may be high-wasta individuals.

Many expat residents learn about wasta through a driving experience. In simple terms, the more wasta someone has, the less likely they are to cop a fine and/or be blamed if there's an accident. Wasta can result in some unusual situations for example, green lights were actually red when you went through them because the person who crashed into you had enough wasta to change the color retroactively. Indications of higher levels of wasta on the road are dark tinted or mirror tinted windows (30% maximum is the law so anything more than that means it's likely they have enough wasta to get around this rule), number plates with fewer than 5 digits (but anyone can buy them now if they have enough cash so it's not as good an indication as in the past).

Wasta is something that many expats, especially westerners, find difficult to come to terms with but you'll find it easier to enjoy Dubai if you get used to that rather than try to fight it. And of course it helps if you can elevate your own wasta level somehow.
Wasta and Bribes

Don't confuse wasta with bribery. If you try to bribe a government official, for example a police officer who has just pulled you up for driving though somebody's garden, you should expect to be punished fairly harshly for trying to bribe them. And if the owner of the garden that you drove through has some wasta, then you'll probably be even worse off. In the business world, things may operate a little differently. Just as anywhere else in the world, the negotiation of business transactions and contracts is not always done on a level playing field, and bribes ... er gifts ... might be part of your discussions with interested parties.

Alcohol is only served in licensed outlets associated with hotels 4 or 5 stars (i.e. restaurants and bars) plus a few clubs (i.e. golf) and associations. Restaurants outside of hotels that are not part of one of the clubs or associations are not permitted to serve alcohol.
Permanent residents who are non-Muslim can obtain liquor supplies without difficulty under a permit system, which entitles you to buy from a special liquor shop (not the local supermarket). This permit allows you to spend a limited amount on alcohol per month; this amount is calculated based on your monthly salary. To apply, collect an application form from your local liquor store or the Police Headquarters, situated between Airport Road and Al Saada Street in Abu Dhabi. By law you should carry this liquor permit with you whenever you are transporting liquor or drinking alcohol at licensed premises.
Note - the authorities in Abu Dhabi have a strict anti-drink driving stance.

Unique Suggestions: IMPORTANT - Do not carry liquor in public transportation (taxis, buses, etc.) If consuming liquor in public carry your liquor license.
Wives' name must be on spouses' liquor license if they want to consume liquor as a UAE resident.

The official working week in the UAE starts on Sunday and ends on Thursday. Government departments and banks are open from 8am until 4pm or 5pm. Friday is a holy day, which generally means that shops remain closed or don’t open.

Unique Suggestions: Shops open until late in the afternoon. Street shops will often open in the morning, and then close at about 1 pm for approximately three hours, then re-open again until 10pm. However, many shopping malls stay open until later than 10pm on weekends

Fun Alternatives: If you are in short visit and you would like to do shopping try to avoid friday.

The holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Each day of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink during daylight hours. The fast is intended to purify the body, but Ramadan is also a time for purification of the mind and spirit through increased prayer. Muslim children usually begin fasting at the ages of eight or nine, although initially only for half the day. Sick, elderly, pregnant or travelling worshippers are not required to fast, but are expected to compensate with increased prayer or charity.

Unique Suggestions: Visitors and residents should note that eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum in public are not permitted, except in hotels. Most of the resturants are closed during daylight.

Fun Alternatives: cook at your home or go to a hotel to dine

Keep in mind that pork is not included in Arabic cuisine. Islam prohibits Muslims from consuming pork and alcohol. However, the UAE is tolerant of other cultures in this regard. Pork and alcohol can, therefore, be bought by non-Muslims.

Unique Suggestions: Some grocery stores sell pork in separate rooms, which are clearly marked for ‘non-Muslims only’. Restaurants indicate on menus whether dishes contain pork or alcohol.
Expect to find pork on the menu only in served in some 4 or 5 stars restaurants. You can also buy pork meat at Abela and Spinneys supermarkets.

Fun Alternatives: Eat fish , chicken or meat

To connect to the cyberspace, Etisalat is the sole provider of Internet services through the UAE proxy server. With the proxy server in place, some sites are restricted (if you find a perfectly reasonable blocked site, you can report it to Etisalat on:Help at Emirates

You can access the internet from any standard telephone line using an appropriate modem of 56kbps, DSL, Wireless.

Unique Suggestions: Do not browse un ethical or sex websites (blocked by the internet provider)

One of the crazy things about life in the Emirates is that, especially during the summer months, the water is already hot when it comes out of the cold tap (except if you stay in 5 or 4 star hotel you will not notice that). Tap water is safe to drink if filtered, but not particularly pleasant (desalinated).

Unique Suggestions: It is usually preferred to drink the locally bottled mineral waters that are widely available. Bottled water is usually served in hotels, restaurants and you can buy from any grocery for less than 1$.

Don't know of any tourist traps in Abu Dhabi. This is a safe city and crime rate is low. There has been some isolated reports of snatch theft along the Corniche in the middle of the night but this is extremely rare. Just be careful as you would be anywhere in the world. Avoid walking alone at night at isolated places. If you are lady, dress appropriately. After all, this is a Muslim country and you wouldn't want to be stared at. Never accept a taxi driver who refuses to go by the meter as there are plenty out there who would.

Unique Suggestions: Just bear in mind that you have to be careful anywhere in the world even in the safest places. Not much to worry in Abu Dhabi, really.