* Bathing
suits are OK only in hotel pools and private beaches
* Men are
also expected to dress decently with no bold overtones.
* Absolutely
no cross-dressing
* Holding
hands and kissing are unacceptable and can lead to arrest
* During
Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month, people are expected to abstain from alcohol,
dancing, chewing gum, smoking and singing in public during the day
* Eat/drink
with your right hand as the left hand is considered to be unhygienic in this
part of the world
* Don’t show
the soles of your feet or shoes as this implies disrespect to others — that you
are comparing the person to soles or ‘dirt’/‘trash’*
* If a
Muslim is praying, do not walk in front of him or stare at him
* If you
have not accepted Islam as your religion, take prior permission before entering
a mosque
* Do not
point fingers at others as this is considered disrespectful
* Taxi
passengers should avoid sitting in the front seat of a taxicab;“small talk” can
be misinterpreted as over-friendliness or even a form of propositioning by taxi
drivers
*
Prescription and over-the-counter medications are often considered illegal or a
controlled substance.
* Keep your
medicines in their original containers and bring a letter from your doctor as a
well as a copy of your prescription with you
* Possession
of illegal drugs, or the presence of an illegal substance in a blood or urine
test, clothing, body, or in your luggage, could lead to arrest
* Don’t
drink and drive. Alcohol is served at bars in major hotels but is intended for
hotel guests.
* Drinking
or possession of alcohol without a Ministry of Interior liquor permit is
illegal and may lead to fines and imprisonment
* Avoid
making obscene hand gestures, using inappropriate (foul) language to a police officer
