CultureShock! Dubai is an indispensable guide for anyone planning a stay in the Las Vegas of the Middle East. Within a single generation, Dubai has blossomed from a quiet port city to major business hub with a lion’s share of the global gold trade. The emirate will host the World Expo 2020. Leena Asher draws on her insider knowledge to take visitors through the process of settling in, whether for short or longer stays. From getting an Emirates ID, navigating banking practices and exchanging Islamic greetings to sipping Arabic coffee and camel milk, shopping at the gold, textile and spice souqs and visiting a ski resort in the desert, the book provides complete information on what’s unique about life in Dubai. How do you greet a lady in Dubai? How does one survive the 50 degree celcius desert climate? Did you know that there are gold dispensing ATMs in Dubai? Get the most of out of your stay with this essential and fun-to-read guide! About the Series CultureShock! is a dynamic, comprehensive series of guides for travellers seeking to understand the countries they are visiting, working in or moving to. Each title explains the country’s customs, traditions and social and business etiquette in a lively, informative style. CultureShock! authors have experienced the joys and pitfalls of cultural adaptation and provide warm and helpful advice to those who seek to intergrate into diverse cultures.

This book draws together an oral and visual art history of a country that is extremely rich in culture and history but that is often overlooked or underestimated. By observing the country’s history and visual culture and the artistic practices of select artists from the UAE, it considers the development of contemporary art from the UAE. This will increase accessibility to art by Emiratis and underline its wider relevance. There is a dearth of literature on contemporary art by Emiratis, and this may be one of the reasons contemporary art from the UAE is under-represented globally. In order to help the reader better understand art from the UAE, this book traces the country’s historical make-up, its culture and contemporary art tradition through oral histories based on interviews with a wide variety of artists and people working in the art industries. It also explores this development using global art discourses that are relevant to art produced in the UAE today. This book also considers how cultural and artistic identities are formed and explores the political and socio-economic interests in the country that have stimulated art practices and appreciation. For so long, an exclusively Western narrative has dominated Art, and popular media portrays the Gulf’s accomplishments in development and modernity with suspicion. Thanks to the UAE’s espousal of the Internet and online communities over the last decade, this book is particularly timely. Following the pandemic, a wider understanding of global art discourses, values and perceptions are increasingly welcomed. Art from the UAE bridges the local and the global, giving a voice and a visual presence to a country’s contemporary art tradition that has been widely overlooked. The UAE has a distinct visual arts tradition that relates to a broader and inclusive understanding of art centered on development and change.

CultureShock! Saudi Arabia provides an insight into living and working in a kingdom where Islam governs almost every aspect of life. Uncover the true psyche of the Saudi people—the men clad in their thobes and gutra and women in their abayas—and their unique way of life, a lifestyle which foreigners may find alien and a challenge to cope with. Containing valuable information not only on the practical aspects of settling in, this book will give tips on how best to integrate into Saudi society. Learn about Saudi laws and be aware of what might get you thrown in jail or under the executioner’s axe. CultureShock! Saudi Arabia is essential for anyone who wants to fully understand this Islamic country and get the most out of his or her stay in the kingdom.

"Cultures around the World: Exploring the 8 Elements of Culture" takes readers on an immersive and enlightening journey across continents, providing a captivating exploration of the fundamental elements that shape the diverse cultures of our world. Delving into the eight essential elements of culture – social organization, government, economy, religion, language, arts and literature, history, customs, and traditions – this book offers a comprehensive understanding of how these elements manifest in different societies.

Although Islamic teachings are conservative, the social climate in Bahrain is fairly liberalised. This temperate society has allowed room for business growth and trade. Discover the rich traditions of Bahraini attire and the significance of the ubiquitous mosques in this small desert shaikdom. In CultureShock! Bahrain, gain insights into business etiquette and glean tips on socialising and settling in—all vital to setting up home and working in this rapidly developing Middle Eastern society.