Stay safe
Like all major metros experiencing rapid growth, Dubai has its share of problems which can be easily avoided should you follow common sense.

While petty crime is hardly reported and mentioned in the news, keep an eye on your wallet or purse when in crowded areas like Naser Square or Deira. Also, don't leave your engine running and vehicle unattended when picking up takeaways or a quick supermarket run as criminal gangs have been known to drive your vehicle away and have it stripped in no time.

Con-men are ever present in Dubai, especially the "Nigeria 419" scammers. Do not arrange meetings or entertain their requests, nor give any personal details. Should they not comply, the police will be happy to listen to them and their propositions.

Eating or drinking publicly during daylight hours is an offence during Ramadan.

Drivers are not always as fond of the road rules in Dubai as in other cities or countries. Particularly during the morning and afternoon rush-hours, taking a taxi, bus or abra is often a better bet than crossing busy roads, as even pedestrian crossings are not always observed.

Gay and lesbian travelers should be particularly careful, the maximum penalty for homosexual acts in the United Arab Emirates is death but it is unknown how enforced this is. You should be safe as long as you avoid public displays of affection.

For women; check when going to the old town on Fridays. This can be an unpleasant experience because it is a holiday, the streets are packed with men.

Public display of affection and Kissing is an offense which could lead to up to 6 months in jail.

Tourists are encouraged to wear modest clothes.

Bringing drugs into the country, even ones you have a prescription for or bought over the counter in your country can lead to jail time. Check with your embassy before departing if you plan to bring with you any type of drug.

All this being said, Dubai is considered to be one of the safest cities in the world.

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Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding [73], is a non-profit community service organization that has been set up to bring down barriers between people of different nationalities, and to help understand the traditions, customs and religion of the UAE. The SMCCU, under the banner, Open Doors Open Minds organizes educational and social events, that allows its clients to exchange ideas, pursue learning and share ways to reach understanding for their companies, their families, their countries and the world. Some of the activities that are offered at the center include:

Cultural Courses.
Arabic Language Courses.
Guided tours to Jumeirah Mosque.
Creating and managing cultural events.
Coffee Mornings.
Walking Tours (Bastakiya).
If you are walking through the streets, you will most probably come across people wanting to sell you pirated movies or anything else that can be replicated or faked. They will tend to lead you off the streets into a alley and into a building. This can seem to be very dangerous but you will find that 90 percent of the time it will be what they actually claim it to be. This is done because they have to hide from the police. Also, don't take very much money with you, otherwise they will ask for all the money you have. A typical pirated DVD should cost about 3-5 dirhams.