Cultural Dos and Taboos

1. Traditional Muslims will not shake hands with members of the opposite sex.

2. Do not take pictures in the country with out permission.

3. Only certain international hotels have alcohol available. Drinking alcohol in public is a crime.

4. Political and religious discussions should be avoided.

5. Do not show the bottom of your foot to a Muslim unless you wish to offend.

6. Always remove your shoes before entering a person's home or a mosque. Women may be required to cover their heads before entering mosques.

7. Women should observe the Muslim dress code.

8. The "thumps up" sign can be viewed as a vulgar gesture in Iraq.

9. Western-style interaction between the sexes is ill-advised. Flirting is a serious breech of etiquette.

10. Do not offer gifts that have anything to do with swine (such as footballs).

11. A person found with illegal drugs is subject to the death penalty.

12. Always respect the five daily times of prayer.

13. Never eat, drink, or smoke in public during Ramadan.

14. Given the conflicts in the Gulf in 1991 and 2003, it is ill-advised to enter into a political discussion in Iraq. Confine conversation to travel, culture, sightseeing, sports and other general topics.

15. Given the ongoing violence in Iraq and the general state of political unrest, the "liberation" of Iraq may not be the best choice of discourse.  Moreover,  the particular issue of "liberation" by foreign forces may be one where the perspective held by Iraqis may well differ from that of Westerers --  particularly those with security forces serving in Iraq.