Muscat: Dos and Donts

Muscat is the capital city of the province of Oman and exudes a flavor less hectic than the neighboring capitals. Muscat: Do's and Don'ts adheres to the principles of tradition and good taste of dress and new developments. The tourists must know about Muscat: Do's and Don'ts before they visit the place;

Do's and Don'ts in Muscat:

• Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting in Muscat in Oman.
• A small gift or a flower bouquet in either promoting your company or country is well received.
• As far as dress is concerned, it is important that women must dress modestly, in long skirts or wear dresses below the knee with long sleeves. Men should wear trousers and shirts with sleeves.
• Tight-fitting clothes should be avoided as it may offend the people of Muscat.
• Shorts should never be worn in public and beachwear is prohibited anywhere except the beach itself.
• Collecting sea shells, abalone, corals, turtle eggs and crayfish is also not allowed.
• Dumping litter is forbidden anywhere in the city of Muscat.
• It is polite not to smoke in public, but generally no-smoking signs are posted where it is strictly prohibited.
• Any homosexual behavior is illegal.
• Visitors and tourists should ask permission before taking any photograph of people or their property. Where ever there is “No Photography' signs, it must be observed strictly or else you will be penalized.
• Muscat is not a rock and roll city. The piano bars, sports and other recreational activities start up in late hours.

Do's and Don'ts at Muscat also features Business Do's and Don'ts of Muscat

• Be prompt for appointments and be punctual
• Do take a good supply of Business Cards
• Try to incorporate plenty of time between meetings, 2 to 3 hours at least.
• Do remember that Friday is the Muslim holy day and working hours tend to be shorter during Ramadan.
• Do not dress too casually because of the heat in Muscat
• Do not refuse refreshments if offered to you
• Do not drink in excess as there are severe penalties for drunkenness in public