Living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Dubai and the rest of the UAE may be sun-filled with modern housing, outstanding shopping facilities and no income tax, but there are some significant cultural differences that you must be aware of before you leave. To ignore the cultural differences and laws in the UAE could result in fines, time in jail or deported - even for what seem to be minor transgressions.
Get support for your move to the UAE
Expats in the UAE generally tend to live in communities of others from their home countries. Why not look to sign up for expat and social groups in addition playgroups for your children to help you get adjusted?
In business and your personal life, networking and connections are key to settling in and enjoying your new life in the UAE. Always make the most of networking opportunities, particularly for business, as this plays a key role for business and employment.
The workweek generally runs from Sunday to Thursday; Friday and Saturday are the designated days of rest. Offices generally open somewhere between 7.30am and 9am and close at 5pm, with working hours during the month of Ramadan generally shortened by two or three hours.
What to expect when you arrive in the UAE
The language of the UAE is Arabic, which uses the Arabic alphabet - a script that is read from right to left, will be quite different to English. The UAE has a much more relaxed approach to Western cultures than many other Arab or Islamic nations. For instance although drinking in public is forbidden, in bars and hotels it's allowed.
While, overall, the cities of the UAE are relatively tolerant, you do need to remember that the UAE is an Islamic State. Certain things which you'd take for granted as normal or acceptable are prohibited such as: public drunkenness, use or possession of drugs (including some medicines prescribed by your doctor or purchased over the counter in the UK), noise disruptions, bad language, making obscene gestures, showing any kind of disrespect of Islam or the leaders of the UAE, cohabitation, sex outside of marriage, having a baby out of wedlock, adultery, and homosexuality.
UAE Culture
For women, it is a must to be dressed modestly. Generally, you should cover your shoulders, cleavage and your legs above the knees as well as avoiding tight or sheer clothing. When meeting an Arab or Emirati man, do not offer to shake his hand unless he extends his hand towards you first. Local women will wear an abaya, which is a traditional black ankle length garment with long sleeves and a high neckline; the hair is also covered.
Men have far fewer restrictions on clothing. They should avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts outside of the home. Due to the hot weather, suits are rarely worn except for important business meetings and related social events. Standard wear in the office is a long sleeved shirt, tie and lightweight trousers.
Always use your right hand for drinking and eating, as the left hand is regarded as unclean (as it’s used for ‘toilet purposes’). You should also avoid showing the soles of your feet or bottoms of your shoes. This gives the implication that you think the other person is "dirt", which is obviously highly offensive. Keep your feet flat on the ground and don't cross your legs.
Removal quote appointment booking service
Britannia Bradshaw can help your move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 0161 877 5555 (Manchester) or 0121 504 0966 (Birmingham & Coventry) and speak with one of our removals specialists.
How are our appointments carried out
In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.
See what our customers think of us...
The lads were fantastic
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Due to pending house move, searched for multiple providers and obtained quotes via the internet / recommendations
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
9/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Based on quote detail, and to some degree the price point that fell between a more expensive and a cheaper option
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
The lads were fantastic, efficient and a pleasure to be around on the day
How would you rate our communication?
9/10
How can we improve our service?
(subject to reform in the property sector which affects logistics) consideration to last minute changes and delays particularly with residential house moves due to a sale and multiple people within a chain
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
It was not straight forward, it cost more than it could and should due to circumstances outside of everyone's control but we got there in the end and the physical move of items was the easiest part in fairness.
They were just completely excellent
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Used Britannia before and so searched for local Britannia movers
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Just so good and professional. I had lots of questions. Luke was really patient with me and answered them all, it felt like nothing was too much trouble
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They were just completely excellent, every single one of them worked hard, was professional and polite, the whole move was done so quickly and simply. Everything was well packaged and labelled, there hasn’t been a single breakage.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
I’m not sure. It was really excellent - the online portal where you book was a bit unintuitive on mobile and I had to do it over the phone with Luke in the end
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
It was amazing.
Punctual reliable efficient
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Leaflet directly mailed
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Competitive quote and availability
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Punctual reliable efficient
How would you rate our communication?
7/10
How can we improve our service?
Not all payment links and invoices seemed to marry up in communications. This became quite confusing.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
9/10
Went the extra mile to ensure everything went off to our satisfaction
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Local removal company online search
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Clear explanation and assurances, plus arrangements to store furniture and move split over two days.
The price was competitive compared with other quotes.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Brilliant. Mark and his team were calm, efficient and approachable, and literally went the extra mile to ensure everything went off to our satisfaction over the two day move into storage.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
When downsizing, do an in person tour rather relying than video tour to get a more accurate impression of volume and accessibility advice - eg if wardrobes etc need to be dismantled beforehand..
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
9/10
UK Quote
Complete the form below to get your UK Removals quotation
European Removals Quote Request
Complete the form below to get your European Removals quotation
International Removals Quote Request
Complete the form below to get your International Removals quotation
Call Me Back
Complete the form below and we'll call you back to discuss your requirements
Self Storage
Complete the form below to get your Self Storage quotation
UK Price Guide
Complete the form below to get a Price Guide sent to you
Please note: Our Price Guide tool is intended for moves within the UK Mainland only. If you're moving to or from the UK mainland please speak to one of our friendly team who will be able to provide you with a bespoke quote.
© Britannia Bradshaw Removals & Storage 2025.
Registered in England 00719614
Bradshaw International is a trading name of John Bradshaw and Son Limited
An indicoll website
Privacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclaimerAccessibility