Intrigued, mesmerized and smitten by the people, the entrepreneurial spirit, the landscape of the city and the desert. Dubai - the perfect blend of East meets West. The people wore the full Abaya coverage for the women, to a lovely, elegant sari, to micro mini-skirts, to three piece British tailored suits, to the Gutra for the men's Arabic head covering.

The first of five calls to prayer at 4:30 am. An eerie and intriguing sound throughout the city of about three million people. My emotions went from intimidation to intrigue to acceptance to honoring their traditions and learning to drink the coffee and eat the figs.

Sixteen lanes of traffic from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. High, high guard rails so when the sand storms blow, the camels don't walk over the mega highways. No need to rent a car. Taxi cabs everywhere including a company with pink cabs and vans driven by women!

Leaving the airport in Dubai, after fifteen hours of flying time, smelling the sweetness of bright, pink petunias... a smell I remember so well from my Mother's gardens as a child. Miles of beautiful, full-grown trees from the airport to the hotels and city of Dubai. How can this be? This is the desert, I'm sure. All of the trees and flowers are imported, brought in by large ships, along with the soil suited to their natural habitat.

Lovely five and seven star hotels with the finest of food from around the world and above average customer service. A shopper's paradise. Lovely items beyond my dreams and desires. Fabrics imported from Paris, all of the designer's garments and hats for the Dubai World Cup horse races that surpass Ascot. I discovered the Meena Bazaar and was fascinated by the fabrics, the jewelry and glamorous shoes and hand bags.

Another highlight: the experience at the Burj al Arah-Jumeirah, the world's first seven star hotel. Breath-taking, a work of art and exquisite. Dinner in the restaurant, fine dining without a doubt. The Burj also boasts an underwater seafood restaurant with tropical fish seen swimming around me as I dined.

Dubai is very global with people from many countries wearing their traditional attire of their own countries.

Then, a trip to the interior of Saudi Arabia. A special passport from the Saudi Embassy. But first, a trip to the shopping mall (the one with an indoor ski lift and lodge) to purchase the full Arabic attire – an Abaya and Hajab to cover my blond hair. Not mandatory, but a way of showing respect and honoring the Middle Eastern culture and traditions.

I arrived at the airport in Western clothes, carrying my Abaya and Hajab in a bag. I asked the Emirate airline staff at the check in counter if I should put on the Abaya. He suggested that I wear the traditional Middle Eastern attire as it would make other people more comfortable.

Boarding the plane to Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi I wondered if I would ever see my family and friends again. First class flight, compliments of King Abdullah's Palace. I sat beside a Prince. How would I know if he didn't tell me?

Several men met me at the airport and took me through customs via the VIP lounge. Can you imagine an airport lounge with chandeliers, large brass coffee pots and prayer rugs? These men did not speak English. They took my passport and my luggage claim tickets and I sat in their car and tried to control the fear of the unknown. They returned and drove me to an unknown destination. We arrived at a hotel and when I stepped out of the private car, I tried to tip the driver. He was so insulted. I was fearful as I walked to the door of the hotel where a staff member in full tuxedo style suit greeted me. I took him by the lapels of his uniform and said "I am counting on you personally to make sure I am safe." His response "Madam, you are perfectly safe here."

I was the only white woman registered. I stayed lovely suite with a butler to drawn my bath. No champagne or masseuse, but everything else exceeded my expectation! I was a guest in Saudi Arabia, a guest of King Abdullah.

I soon began to understand and embrace the cultural differences. Underneath the Abaya the women wore the most exquisite designer fashions I have ever seen. The women are highly educated with several degrees from America and Europe. They run businesses and run their household as do our women in North America. They are lively and vibrant and speak several languages fluently. The Middle Eastern food is exquisite and I especially enjoy the lamb stew. Lots of outdoor restaurants and fresh markets with the same brands of raspberries and apples that we get in North America.

I also had the pleasure of several trips to Doha, the capital of Qatar and the wealthiest country in the world. The Gulf Region is a vibrant part of the world. I love their music and now have many personal friends in the Region. I anticipate many more trips to Dubai with training opportunities and adventure. I have not ridden a camel or gone on a desert safari yet. Lots more to see and do!

It was an honor and a delight to meet, enjoy and drink the coffee with the people of the Middle East. In fact, I am so comfortable with the people and their culture that I am in the Gulf Region several times a year for corporate training programs and also to host my Modern Day Finishing School and the Image and Etiquette Certification Training programs.

Many North American companies have hired me to teach their employees about the cultural difference as they are about to be posted for work assignments in the Gulf. I also have a new e-book / training manual on the culture and customs of the Middle East. View the book details at www.gloriastarr.com/books-dvds/modern-day-finishing-school-book

Middle Eastern Expert Ms. Starr has been coaching and training clients in the GCC / Middle East / Saudi for almost a decade. Many North American companies select her to coach their people prior to work assignments in the Middle and Far East.

Royal Persuasion

Ms. Starr is Private Counsel to Members of the Royal Families in the Middle and Far East and dignitaries and executives around the world. Her coaching and training sessions have taken her to Taiwan, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Moscow, Geneva, Qatar, Bahrain, Korea, Jordan, India, Singapore, Italy, South America, the UK, Mexico, United States and Canada.

Dubai World Cup

Etiquette, manners and savvy social skills with global advisor Gloria Starr, the etiquette and manners expert for the Dubai World Cup.