Hey,
I'm a single guy in my late 20's considering to move to Abu Dhabi for my job. I have some questions about the general conservativeness of the country in order to help me make up my mind.
Some stuff I've been wondering:
How strictly is Sharia applied?
Is there gender sergeration? Will I be able to freely socialize with Emirati women as well, or even date them? Are arranged marriages still the norm there between lcoals?
How religious are Emiratis in general?
I frequently hear that the country, and Dubai in particular, would be more socially liberal than the rest of the region. But how more conservative Abu Dhabi and the rest of the country then is, and in what ways?
Will I be able to wear the kandura as a non-native, or would that be frowned upon? Also, a bit off the track but something I'd like to know as well: how common is it for local men (or women, for that matter) to wear Western fashion rather than the traditional garb? And how do Emirati women dress when out of the country, is the abaya more of a cultural thing like the kandura? How common is it to see niqabs?
So, in what ways are Emiratis "Westernized" and in what ways not.
EDIT: forgot to mention, will I have any problems as a Jewish guy?
Thanks ^^