999 magazine is published in English by a UAE government ministry, and the December issue had an interesting bit of information that makes for a handy list, too.

(This was picked up by nearly every media outlet in the UAE, including The National. With comment from local law officials who make the point that ignorance of the law is no defense.)

The core issue here is … visitors/arriving in the UAE and figuring it is the sort of just-about-anything-goes playground found in some sunny climes, and acting accordingly. This is not Las Vegas or Bangkok or Bondi Beach.

So. The 10 most common legal or cultural blunders made by tourists/visitors to the UAE, according to 999 magazine.

Here we go.

1. Drunken driving. This isn’t legal anywhere, is it? But it is extremely serious in the UAE. An executive here told employees: “I’ll come bail you out of jail if you are in trouble. But don’t drink and drive; I can’t help you there.”

2. Taking pictures of strangers. Not sure this is a law so much as it is a cultural issue. Emiratis in particular do not like to have their photos taken. (Parisians are the same way.) And it is illegal to take photos of many government buildings, including airports.

3. Sunbathing in very skimpy clothing. This is a problem for tourists, in particular, who take to the beaches in bikinis and Speedos. Locally, we like to see less skin. Quite a bit less.

4. Wearing disrespectful clothing. This seems open to interpretation, and may have at least two applications. Emiratis find it offensive if outsiders wear what is called “national dress” … but it also could be about revealing outfits worn in public.

5. Public displays of affection. Again, another that may not be on the books as illegal, especially something like hand-holding … but it is offensive to UAE citizens, on the whole, and visitors should know that.

6. Possession of restricted drugs without prescription. Same as anywhere. Don’t know why anyone would come here and think different rules on drugs are in effect.

7. Eating and drinking in public during Ramadan. This certainly is insensitive, because the Muslims here — and this includes non-Emirati Muslims — are fasting during daylight hours. May not be a law, but anyone paying attention is not going to do it.

8. Listening to loud music. Again, pretty sure it is not actually a law, beyond the “disturbing the peace” aspect you might find anywhere. On the cultural side, however, don’t bump along the Corniche with your windows down and the hip-hop turned up.

9. Discussing and debating religion or any other sensitive issues. Another cultural pitfall. Leave this back home, aside from intimate gatherings.

10. Bouncing checks. Bad checks are illegal, and taken quite seriously. Like, potential-jail-time seriously. Probably best to leave your checkbook at home.

The heart of this is fairly simple: Don’t get on a plane bound for another country without checking what the law says, where you are going, and what cultural pitfalls you might encounter.