Some towns in Europe do not allow women to shop at the corner stores in their two-piece swim suits, or men without their shirts.

Which is good, because seeing too much sun-burnt flesh and cellulite could be bad for you, especially if you are shy, and if you are a dedicated shopaholic it could be bad for your nerves if you suddenly come across a fat belly casually walking down the aisle that stocks your favourite Nutella jars.

Mallorca in the Mediterranean has made it illegal to be dressed in swim wear in the streets. Shorts and bikinis are allowed on the beaches, but if you are venturing into the town, cover up or pay a £600 (Dh 3,312) fine.

Goa, a beach resort state in India, last year tried to ban women wearing short dresses to nightclubs. But that somehow did not come into force because of left-wing liberals. There are some things that are socially taboo in some countries, but in India, you can hold hands and walk on the streets and nobody will bother you.

Dubai and the UAE also have norms for dressing while shopping and signs at the entrance to the malls advise that you should be dressed modestly. And in case you are unsure, there are drawings posted of what is considered immodest.

It must seem unkind to those living in countries that barely get sunshine, to visit countries that have unlimited sunshine throughout the year, and to be told to cover up.

Doctors, on the other hand, advise people to walk in the sun, between 6am and 10am for at least 10 minutes to get the essential Vitamin D, without which, you start to feel lethargic and cannot give your 100 per cent at the workplace.

The Mirror newspaper published that ever-present list for lazy readers who want their information and entertainment in tiny bits: “27 things that British people always do when the sun comes out.” Some of the items on the list are, 1) Head for the beach for the swim, and of course jump out again on to land cause the water is freezing cold and not for swimming. 2) Talk about the weather all the time. 3) Eat an ice cream cone.

When it starts to get colder in the UAE (by colder I mean 28 degrees Celsius, which is 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit) I tend to go to shoe stores and shop for boots. Then I drive all the way to Global Village, look for a leather jacket and pretend that I am a Pashtun hiking in the mountains in the glacial air, while my wife giggles.

When you are visiting another country, it is better to check with your consulate what you should do and what are the things that may irritate people.

I was reading a report about a couple that was caught being overly affectionate in public and they went and quickly got married to avoid being jailed.

Imagine this couple going back and explaining to their relatives and friends the circumstances under which they got married and why there was no time to print out invitation cards and select bridesmaids or the engagement “rock” at Christie’s.

“Harry, you said you are going on a business trip and now you are married and all. Well, I am just an old mother and don’t need to be told everything that goes on in your life.”

“Mum, it was like in the movies. There was a bright, blue Moon overhead in the Arabian sky and I knew I found my perfect soulmate. The next thing we knew is that we were in the consulate and were married by a snobbish civil servant.”

“I am happy for you, Harry, but I hope you made a pre-nup contract.”

Mahmood Saberi is a freelance journalist based in Dubai.