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Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Old Sep 8th 2010, 2:42 pm
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Default Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Hi all,

Myself and a colleague are going on a business trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai this weekend. All of our business meetings are in Abu Dhabi.

We are both male. Whilst there is a lot of info on the web as to what women should wear, there is very little relating to men.

What is acceptable in a business context? Short sleeved shirts and trousers? Should we be fully suited up, complete with tie? We are obviously trying to reconcile smartness and respect with heat.

What about in the evenings? We had worked on the basis of t-shirts, cargo shorts and sandals. Is this acceptable?

Many thanks in advance.
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Old Sep 8th 2010, 2:46 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Originally Posted by caledoniaman
Hi all,

Myself and a colleague are going on a business trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai this weekend. All of our business meetings are in Abu Dhabi.

We are both male. Whilst there is a lot of info on the web as to what women should wear, there is very little relating to men.

What is acceptable in a business context? Short sleeved shirts and trousers? Should we be fully suited up, complete with tie? We are obviously trying to reconcile smartness and respect with heat.

What about in the evenings? We had worked on the basis of t-shirts, cargo shorts and sandals. Is this acceptable?

Many thanks in advance.
not short sleeved formal shirts, those are just wrong on any level...suit and tie depending on the industry...but most business guys wear the full works, all your meetings will be in ac anyway so you won't be hot...

sandals/shorts aren't ok for many bars/restaurants in the evening...it will depend where you're going...

MM, x
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Old Sep 8th 2010, 2:49 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Originally Posted by caledoniaman
Hi all,

What is acceptable in a business context? Short sleeved shirts and trousers? Should we be fully suited up, complete with tie? We are obviously trying to reconcile smartness and respect with heat.

What about in the evenings? We had worked on the basis of t-shirts, cargo shorts and sandals. Is this acceptable?
Fully suited up with tie for business. Smart casual in the evening if out with clients - shorts/t-shirts would only be appropriate for the pub. Everywhere is air conditioned - you don't want to be outside for long at all in this heat/humidity even in shorts and t-shirt.

However, you picked the wrong weekend as it's Eid Al-Fitr, one of the two main holidays in the Islamic calendar so no-one will be conducting any business anyway.
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Old Sep 8th 2010, 2:53 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Originally Posted by Madam Medusa
not short sleeved formal shirts, those are just wrong on any level...
Ha ha .. seconded
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Old Sep 8th 2010, 3:11 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Ok then,

Here is another one..... personal grooming.

I'm not one for shaving everyday, never have been.

But my colleague is telling me that its big issue over there. Stubble is frowned upon.

I find this hard to believe and not really wanting to have to shave everyday.

So gents...whats the deal with this?

Last edited by Monkeybiscuits; Sep 8th 2010 at 3:15 pm.
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Old Sep 8th 2010, 3:19 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Originally Posted by Monkeybiscuits
Ok then,

Here is another one..... personal grooming.

I'm not one for shaving everyday, never have been.

But my colleague is telling me that its big issue over there. Stubble is frowned upon.

I find this hard to believe and not really wanting to have to shave everyday.

So gents...whats the deal with this?

lets get this straight youre going to fly 300 miles to hopefully do some business and cant be arsed to shave.
i'll save you the time and effort, dont ****ing bother.
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Old Sep 8th 2010, 3:23 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Originally Posted by shiva
lets get this straight youre going to fly 300 miles to hopefully do some business and cant be arsed to shave.
i'll save you the time and effort, dont ****ing bother.
Eh...im there for a week, and ill shave....

Not going grow a huge beard.

But I'm not there to make or break any deals, just get a few things done.

Just want to know if its going to be frowned upon to look myself, or am i expected to shave everyday so as not to offend.

basically, do i need to be overly concerned about my appearance, (yes ill be properly dressed and smart)

Any actual proper replies rather that this fella's cheek and nonsense?
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Old Sep 8th 2010, 4:01 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

whatever next...
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Old Sep 8th 2010, 4:10 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Originally Posted by MataHari
whatever next...
hairy women...?

MM, xx
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Old Sep 8th 2010, 4:16 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Unless your name is George Clooney or Brad Pitt and you have so much toot that you don't give a flying f*** about what people think of your stubbly face...forget it, IMO.
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Old Sep 8th 2010, 4:23 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

My take; business attire is business attire regardless of where you are in the world.

Shaving depends, I guess, on if you look like Wurzel Gummidge when you don't shave. It also depends on who you are meeting. Many locals have a groomed unshaven look. However, if you are meeting with people from just about anywhere else in the world, take the same approach as business attire.

And get over yourself man, you came here asking advice. Be prepared for an amount of ribbing from those that can provide it when you ask what appears to be a fairly stoopid question.

We ain't Google.
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Old Sep 8th 2010, 4:36 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Originally Posted by caledoniaman
Hi all,

Myself and a colleague are going on a business trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai this weekend. All of our business meetings are in Abu Dhabi.

We are both male. Whilst there is a lot of info on the web as to what women should wear, there is very little relating to men.

What is acceptable in a business context? Short sleeved shirts and trousers? Should we be fully suited up, complete with tie? We are obviously trying to reconcile smartness and respect with heat.

What about in the evenings? We had worked on the basis of t-shirts, cargo shorts and sandals. Is this acceptable?

Many thanks in advance.
Well, really appropriate would be to have a beard (well groomed), wear a thobe and ghutra, no socks, sandals , a very expensive perfume , a brand name pen in your thobe pocket, two tone sunshades and last but not least you must have the latest phone model. Of course, you have to be able to speak fluent Arabic...a bit of Hindi or Malayam thrown in can't hurt.
There you go...unless you can pull that off, forget it.
Good luck.


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Old Sep 8th 2010, 7:54 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Shave.
Every day.


Short-sleeved shirt+ tie = bible thumper -bicycle
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Old Sep 8th 2010, 9:39 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

Originally Posted by Monkeybiscuits
Eh...im there for a week, and ill shave....

Not going grow a huge beard.

But I'm not there to make or break any deals, just get a few things done.

Just want to know if its going to be frowned upon to look myself, or am i expected to shave everyday so as not to offend.

basically, do i need to be overly concerned about my appearance, (yes ill be properly dressed and smart)

Any actual proper replies rather that this fella's cheek and nonsense?
Go for the full on Taliban mate, you'll fit right in, they'll kiss you on both cheeks, hug you like you're a woman and then want to marry you to a camel/goat whatever their preference.
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Old Sep 8th 2010, 11:22 pm
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Default Re: Clothing for Abu Dhabi (male)

I'd say it all depends what business you're in and who you're meeting. As a creative I would be horified if another creative rocked up in a captain sensible outfit ( ie a suit) all depends who you are, what you do and what you are trying to achieve, as for the stubble, depends if it looks like you've rolled out of bed late or whether its meant to be there.
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