Public displays of affection (PDA) allowed in UAE?

I noticed him walking towards us because it was a strange sight.

Under a fierce sun, a grown man, wearing a long-sleeve button-up security shirt and slacks, wiped a stream of sweat from his forehead as his black dress shoes sort of slouched though the sand while he walked.

When he came within a few meters of us, I started to wonder about the reason for his journey. When he arrived and as he stood over us, briefly shielding the sun from our faces, he spoke.

"This..." he said. "We do not do at the Corniche."

I peeled the sunglasses off my face to find out what he was babbling about. He then made a gesture in my direction and that's when I finally realized what was happening.

As if she had cooties, I quickly pulled my arm off my wife, who was sun bathing next to me. We had been laying together on towels at the Corniche beach and without thinking twice, I had extended my arm across her torso.

No big deal, right? Innocent enough.

But, according to this security guard, my actions with the woman I am married to was in violation. This form of affection -- yes, as subdued as you would think -- was not allowed while at the beach.

I did not get mad and apologized to the security guard. He sort of gave me a "I know it's a stupid rule but I have to enforce it" look before he politely thanked me and then started his long walk back to the chair and umbrella he had set up near the vacant lifeguard stand.

We had only been living in Abu Dhabi for about a week at that point and it was my first brush with the law. There were no tickets issued. The police were not called.

Just a gentle reminder of what you are allowed to do in public and what is frowned upon.

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Ahhh, the old public display of affection (PDA) question comes up a lot when I talk with people getting ready to re-locate to the UAE. It's a valid concern and one that I carried over when I moved here in late 2012.

First of all: Relax. You are probably making it a bigger deal then it is. You probably have done your research and read all the online chat forums, blogs, etc. Don't let all that stuff scare you. 

Listen, it really comes down to respect. In the Arab culture, they consider open displays of affection (between men and women) very disrespectful. Yet, it is not uncommon to see two men, walking down the street, holding hands. I know, very strange.

What I'm trying to say is that when expats are in plain view of Emiratis -- perhaps at the beach -- it is probably not the best idea to makeout with your significant other. 

Just be respectful. I don't think I really crossed the line at the Corniche. You probably agree with me. But perhaps someone saw my arm around my wife, was offended and complained to the security guard. Who knows?

Regardless, my wife and I are quite affectionate with one another in public and we have never really had any major issues in the two years we have lived here. When we go out at night -- bars, clubs, etc. -- the situation is a little different.

We may be out dancing and/or kissing in a crowded club and the worst thing that happens is a security guard may tap you on the shoulder and wave his finger. Slightly embarrassing, yes, but we've never been thrown out of the place or anything like that.

So in essence (and this goes for just about anything when traveling): don't be an ass. 

Just be conscience of the host country's laws and customs. And be respectful. If you do that, you shouldn't have to give it a second thought.