Are we really confused or is it is easier to remain confused and keep doing what doing - it boils down to 2 facts - that rules set are enforced for some and not for others you get red carded for wearing inappropriate clothing in mall - it is unfair to younger generation as so mentioned you wouldn't allow to go to 18s movie however it seems ok to allow same generation and younger to be piled into cars without seat belts and have men and boy racers hit 140-180km on Sheikh Zayed road weaving and tail gating which is going to kill someone so we now have both sides of spectrum - BUT police cant be everywhere to spot who driving fast and who wearing short skirts but fairness is required - Men you know who you are slow down and Ladies you know who you are put on a cardigan over your vest top - if you really must wear that short denim skirt cos thats what your feeling and its your fashion way forward for the day then do it but put a pair of leggings underneath it to cover up - if we looked at it from another perspective we would welcome it - as it is way forward for ALL younder generations I am proud to be an expat living in Dubai where i do not have to see filth and foul mouthed language on TV as do at home and even more so to not see 14 and 15 year olds walking around pushing buggies so IT'S VERY CLEAR AND NO REASON TO BE CONFUSED - JUST COVER UP AND LEAVE THE BLACK VESTS WITH CEREASE PICK BRAS SHOWING TO THE BEDROOMS

Edited by TimeOutDubai.com

Hmm, i saw a young couple at irish village (it was crowded, i'm sure many witnessed it) the other day lip-locking for 10 seconds at least. So question is, where were the police/ authorities on this matter? Not reported means they get away with it?? So far husband and i respect every country we visit, i guess this decency rule can be quite confusing to understand where the line is drawn.

Edited by TimeOutDubai.com

Women are to be respected, the body kept holy and the laws of Islam respected. However, it is to be expected that Westerners ignore and disrespect our laws. We should be the example not the enforcer.

I currently reside in the Dubai Marina very near to where the recent issue with the British couple arrested for cheek kissing at a restaraunt on the JBR Walk. ( supposedly only witnessed by a young child at 2:00am.) The Marina has a large western expat and tourist population with beaches, resort hotels, numerous bars and nightclubs. Even after rents took a 50 percent drop in 2009, there is still a large vacancy rate in most residential buildings in the Marina. There has also been a drop in hotel occupancy rates from last year. Dubai promotes itself has the " London, New York or Paris" of the Middle East. Wouldn't think given the current financial climate, this is the very type of publicity the authorities would try to avoid. Granted, living in a Muslim country comes with a different set of laws and standards of conduct but heavy handed enforcement at 2:00am in a resort strip seems to me a bit over the top. People on boith sides need to exercise some cultural tolerance.

If a white female wears the most revealing dresses nobody seems to have a problem, asians on the other hand are punished by law for wearing the same dress.

Racism or hipocracy??

This is unfortunate,
as Dubai always states that they are "expat friendly" and supporting the cultures of others,
The main population of Dubai are European Expats, Europe as we all know have an open minded, liberal viewpoint on dressing and beach activity as well as displays of affection.
I think this rule is very disturbing to the expat community in Dubai, Bahrain actually tolerates much more than dubai and there is a less Expat community in Bahrain than in Dubai.

I can understand how utterly confusing it is for people who do not naturally dress conservatively in public to observe decency laws (as they are not universally enforced). Disregard the society pages where non-observant muslims wear stylish skimpy clothing and remember that it IS offensive for me any many others to see some of you display so much flesh in a muslim country.

Many non-khaleej muslims have come to the UAE to live in an Islamic environment and just because we won't tell you off in the street, doesn't mean that we approve of clothing that shows too much. This doesn't mean we hate you, just the way you dress sometimes.

There shouldn't be any problem with wearing more revealing clothes AT HOME so this is why there should be no problem with more revealing clothes on manequins in storefronts. I would like to see a lot more conservative clothes in high street stores here so that expats have the option of wearing more suitable but trendy clothing here. Mango is one store that makes an effort on this front.

This is how should go in Dubai long time ago..we thanks the Government for taking such an action...

Because, Emma, skimpy dresses are ok in the privacy of your own home, friends' homes, generally inside. What is NOT ok is having butt cheeks hanging out or cleavage spilling over. Is this really so difficult to understand? YOU ARE IN A MUSLIM COUNTRY, have some respect. SImples. No doubt you are here because you find it economically beneficial. I doubt you are here to submerge yourself in the local culture and learn, for instance, Arabic. So the question you need to ask yourself is this - if the right to wear "skimpy outfits' in public is more important to you than economic gain, go back to your own country.

John, I would agree that employers here should give inductions - this is an issue to be raised with the respective HR departments. I would hazard a guess that many offenders are tourists though.

If they are so hot on decent dress why do they have manikin's in shop windows wearing skimpy outfits. They look good but we can't buy them as we can't wear them. I respect the laws but they don't help themselves.