The Foreign Office recently launched a new campaign to remind Brits how to behave abroad. They warned that there have been several cases of British nationals being charged with indecent public exposure and urged people to check local laws and customs before travelling.
Travel etiquette in Muslim countries
(including Egypt/Morocco/UAE/Saudi Arabia/Turkey)
- Women should always dress modestly - skirts should be at least below the knee and shoulders and tops of arms should be covered. Men should wear trousers and also always have their shoulders covered.
- When visiting a mosque women have to completely cover themselves, with only their face, hands and feet on display. Both men and women should remove their shoes. Not doing so would be seen as a complete insult as showing the soles of your feet or shoes is perceived as very rude.
- You should not kiss or make any body contact with a member of the opposite sex.
- Alcohol is prohibited under Islamic law. Some hotels will serve alcohol, however becoming drunk and behaving outlandishly will be considered offensive and may result in harsh punishments.
- As is the case in all Muslim cultures and most non-Western cultures, never use your left hand for eating. Eat with your right hand only, with your left hand resting in your lap under the table.
Laws abroad
Europe
- Some regional Governments in Spain have banned the consumption of alcohol in the street. Failure to respect this law may result in the imposition of fines.
- In the Italian cities of Venice and Florence, you may be fined if you drop litter. It is also an offence to sit on steps/courtyards or to eat and drink in the immediate vicinity of the main churches and public buildings in Florence. Travellers should also be aware that no shorts, sleeveless dresses or shirts are allowed when visiting significant holy places, like the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.
- In Monaco apart from on the beaches and in bathing areas, it's not permitted to walk about in swimsuits, stripped to the waist, or bare foot.
- In Greece indecent behaviour, including mooning, is not tolerated and the police will arrest those who do it. Courts impose heavy fines or prison sentences on people who behave indecently and some fancy dress costumes may offend the local Greek authorities and be considered as contravening decency laws.
- In Turkey homosexuality is not illegal but it's not widely tolerated: public displays of affection could result in prosecution for public order offences. It is an offence to insult the Turkish nation or the national flag, or to deface or tear up currency.
Middle East
- In United Arab Emirates women should dress in a modest way, particularly in Sharjah and Ajman Emirates where Islamic law is rigorously enforced. Clothes should cover the tops of the arms and legs, and underwear should not be visible.
- U.A.E - sex outside of marriage, cohabitation, adultery and homosexual behaviour are illegal. Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and there have been several arrests for kissing in public.
- U.A.E - swearing or making rude gestures is considered an obscene act and offenders can be prosecuted. It has been known for offenders to receive a six month jail sentence for such an act.
- Topless sunbathing in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E is forbidden and liable to be punished by imprisonment or deportation.
- Problems will be encountered if an unmarried woman gives birth in the U.A.E - these can range from a refusal to issue a birth certificate to arrest and imprisonment.
- In Saudi Arabia it's illegal for women to drive and the penalties for the possession of, or trade in, alcohol are severe - both resulting in prison sentences.
- The Saudi legal system differs in many ways from the UK. Suspects can be held without charge and those detained have in the past not been allowed legal representation. The Saudi authorities have detained witnesses and victims of crimes.
N Africa
- Homosexuality is illegal in many popular holiday destinations including Morocco. There were several incidents in Morocco last year where individuals were charged, resulting in one Briton being imprisoned for three months.
The Caribbean
- Jamaica has laws which make certain homosexual acts illegal and the attitude of many Jamaicans to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex people is hostile.
- In many Caribbean countries including Barbados, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia it is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.
- In Barbados although not illegal, topless bathing is frowned upon.
Asia
- It is a criminal offence to make critical or defamatory comments about the King or other members of the Royal family in Thailand. This offence is punishable by a sentence of three to fifteen years or longer.
- Nudism and topless sunbathing are prohibited throughout Maldives including on resort islands and also in Fuji.
