Oman Local Custom Tips by JohnniOmani Top 5 Page for this destination

Segregration in Restaurants

Be careful when you walk into a restaurant in small towns. The culture of Arabs is that they dont want offend you, they will never tell you that you are in the wrong. Make sure if you are in smaller towns that you go to the correct area of the restaurant. There are family sections and if you dont know you may cause major problems with the owners(they will feel uncomfortable and local customers may feel out of place with a foreigner sitting there or near them).

Calm People

Omanis are gentle people therefore you must behave in a certain way in public. If you think that an Omani is doing you wrong either in a souq or taxi dont worry. Calmly tell the man that you believe you deserve better service and they will kindly help you. Overall, smile and be friendly.

Interaction

Many tourists think that they can safely interact with women in the Gulf because they base it on their experiences in more liberal societies such as in Lebanon or some areas of Egypt or Jordan. Make no mistake, Oman is one of the most conservative countries on earth and the only way you will interact whatsoever is when you speak with cashiers etc in the service industry. You should never speak or confront women in public as this is a major taboo. Women can speak with local women but women only interact in public with their family members. Just take the lead from your surroundings and you will do fine.

Dress Code

Oman is an extremely religious and conservative society. They follow a conservative branch of Islam called Ibadi Islam thus making them dedicated followers of their religion. The dress code should be at all times shorts below the knee and t shirts at best for men with women wearing baggy pants and quarter length shirts. Outside Sohar, Muscat and Sur men shouldnt wear shorts and women shouldnt wear t shirts or shorts despite what the ignorant British expat Oil workers say or do. I have lived in this country in a very very conservative town and I have tried my best to respect the culture the best I could and I have been rewarded with countless friendships. My biggest pain is going to Muscat etc and seeing people dressed in shorts and tank tops.It irritates me sooo much because Omanis are too damn friendly to be rude. Point? You are in an Islamic country with a conservative branch of Islam = cover up please.