Does the water here really make your hair fall out? Read on for the truth about that and 11 more tall tales you hear about our city.
Expats can’t buy property
The myth: Only UAE nationals can buy in Abu Dhabi.
The truth: Thanks to legislation and amendments to policy in 2005, The Ownership Law now extends to foreigners who can own buildings and/or floors within buildings only in Investment Areas (such as Saadiyat Island, Al Raha Beach and Al Reem Island) on a freehold basis, but not the land those buildings are on. GCC nationals can own the land in Investment Areas on a freehold basis.
The UAE has no history
The myth: It’s a brand new country with no real sense of history.
The truth: The UAE was established on December 2, 1971 – which makes it a pretty young nation by a lot of standards, though the story of independence from the British and the unifying of the seven emirates is a great tale. Findings in the Hajar Mountains and western Abu Dhabi suggest what is now the UAE may have been part of the migration route of people moving from Africa into Asia and the earliest human occupation for which there is strong evidence dates from the Neolithic period (5500BC-7500BC). Between then and now you’ve got envoys from the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), Vasco de Gama and the expansion of the Portuguese Empire, the Ottoman Empire, pirates, British rule, the pearling industry and the discovery of oil. That’s a lot of history to be explored!
You don’t need a liquor license to drink in bars
The myth: While you need to have a liquor license in order to buy alcoholic beverages from liquor shops, many people believe you do not need one in order to buy and consume drinks in hotels.
The truth: It’s not easy to get a definite answer here. The government and police portals, unfortunately, don’t contain any information and the wealth of informative websites sometimes contain out of date information and often disagree with each other. Our advice is to err on the side of caution and get yourself a liquor license. You can apply online here: www.auhsl.ae.
It’s OK to keep alcohol at home
The myth: What you do in the privacy of your own home is your business and you don’t need a license to consume a beverage at home.
The truth: Keeping alcohol at home without a permit is an offence under UAE law and in extreme cases you can be fined up to Dhs5,000 and can serve up to six months in prison. So if you drink alcohol and want to do so in your abode, make sure you have the appropriate paperwork.
Jaywalking is allowed
The myth: Crossing the road wherever you like is OK, after all – everybody does it.
The truth: It might seem like a free-for-all at times, but jaywalking (crossing the road anywhere other than at a pedestrian crossing with a green light) is against the law. In 2012, Abu Dhabi issued 42,806 fines to jaywalkers.
Hotels have the best restaurants
The myth: Only the classy restaurants with top chefs found in Abu Dhabi’s hotels are worth going to.
The truth: You only have to look through TOAD’s food listings to see a number of fantastic eateries outside of hotels. Only last November, Nolu’s Café in Al Bandar, Tarbouche al Basha at the Souk Central Market, Ushna at the Souk Qaryat Al Beri and Jones The Grocer all won Time Out Abu Dhabi restaurant awards and none of them are in hotels. Other restaurants which made our shortlist of finalists include Api Cae Gourmet, Café Arabia, Stars ’n’ Bars and De Thali, while we’ve got high hopes for new kids on the block such as Peppermill in Al Wahda Mall and Shake Shack at Dalma mall. So that’s one myth well and truly debunked.
There aren’t many fish in the water
The myth: For snorkelling fans the waters here are devoid of marine life to enjoy.
The truth: There is some truth in this, particularly in areas where channels have been man-made. The water can be murky due to the never-settling silt and there are no natural reefs to harbour large numbers of fish. But visit the fish market at Port Zayed on a weekend morning and you’ll see huge quantities of fish from local waters. Off-shore there are wrecks and reefs that are bustling with life, while for snorkelling enthusiasts there are popular areas like the ocean side of the Breakwater that dispel the myth.
You can live with someone without being married
The myth: It’s fine to live with someone of the opposite sex you’re not married to (and the government turns a blind eye to it).
The truth: Not so, in fact it’s the total opposite. Sharia Law prohibits two unmarried and unrelated persons of the opposite sex living together under Article 356 of the UAE Penal Code and it can lead to a minimum jail term of one year.
You can’t buy a certain kind of meat in the UAE
The myth: We live in a Muslim country, therefore haram meat is banned.
The truth: The UAE is a forward thinking country which has found a way to successfully cater for its massive expat population while respecting the laws and traditions of its own people. If you are a non-Muslim, Waitrose on Al Reem Island is one place where you can buy it. Certain branches of Spinneys sell it as well.
You can’t hold your wife’s hand in public
The myth: All public displays of affection are banned in the UAE.
The truth: This is false but there’s one thing you must remember: displays of affection with someone you are not married to are illegal under the UAE penal law of 1987. You will see plenty of married couples holding hands in the malls and our advice would be, if you’re married, to be respectful of local customs and not go any further than that.
