Moving to the middle East as a young, blonde, Western single girl is not going to be without its challenges, so I've decided to begin preparing myself for this now, wine at the ready. So today I'm starting with the basics, there will no doubt be thing I'll think of along the way but these are today's five big Dubai lessons.

THE CURRENCY IS DIRHAM

And for every £1 you can get 5.78 Dirham. So I should expect to pay about 30 Dirham for two avocados, a copy of Vogue or a frozen yoghurt, Around 100 Dirham will get me a bottle of wine, Mac lipstick and Sushi Monday's at Yo!, and somewhere near 250 Dirham for a two course Italian, a new dress or a good hairdresser. This is going to be my only way of figuring out my finances.

DANCING IN PUBLIC IS CONSIDERED INDECENT

This one worries me. The emirate interpretation of indecent and provocative is something I'm yet to determine, but for now I suppose dancing outside of clubs will have to be strictly restricted to firmly behind closed doors. Perhaps a favour to everyone. 

AS ARE PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

While many laws are not religiously enforced in terms of public displays of affection in Dubai, it is not tolerated in a lot of places, even for married couples. Co-inhabiting in the UAE is also illegal and those found to be doing so by the authorities will basically face immediate deportation. 

THE METRO HAS SEPARATE CARRIAGES FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN

In so many ways Dubai is one of the most forward thinking, metropolitan cities on the planet. It is saturated with an ever changing architectural landscape, a rich business sector and is home to the only seven star hotel on earth. But in others I'm beginning to realise it remains firmly rooted to its traditional beliefs. This especially becomes apparent in it's treatment of women. And on its metro routes, there is a separate carriage where only women and children are allowed, though they are welcome also to sit in the silver carriages with men. 

ONLY 13% OF THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE UAE ARE EMIRATES

If I was expected to be alienated as the only English person in Dubai, I would have been very wrong. The UAE is made up of 87% expats, although many of these are South Asian, around one in ten are Western. So while adjusting to cultural practices may sometimes be difficult, it's comforting to know I won't be doing it alone.