Food
& Drink
Restaurants serve both European and Middle
Eastern dishes. Popular Iraqi dishes are kubba,
dolma (lettuce, vine leaves, cabbage, onions, aubergine, marrow
or cucumbers stuffed with rice, meat and spices), tikka (small chunks
of mutton on skewers grilled on a charcoal fire), quozi (small lamb
boiled whole and grilled, stuffed with rice, minced meat and spices
and served on rice) and masgouf (fish from the Tigris, cooked on
the river bank). Waiter service is customary.
There is strict obedience to Islamic laws on the
consumption of alcohol, which
is available within the limits of religious laws. A permit for alcohol
may be necessary, however this may only be valid at international
hotels. Certain hotels forbid the consumption of alcohol by visitors.
During the lunar month of Ramadan, drinking and smoking in public
is not permitted.
Nightlife
Baghdad has nightclubs with music, cabaret and
dancing, as do other main towns. There are also theatres, cinemas
and bars.
Shopping
The traditional town markets sell copperware, spices,
silver, carpets and brightly coloured rugs. In Baghdad the copper
market is a centre of noisy activity with coppersmiths beating their
pots into shape.
General shopping hours are
from Saturday to Thursday 8.30 am to 1.00 pm and 5.00 pm to 7.00
pm
Social Conventions
Owing to a long and diverse history, Iraq is a culturally
rich country. Today, traditional Islamic culture
predominates, Koranic law plays an active role in the day to day
life of Iraq therefore visitors should be careful to respect this
and act accordingly. Visitors should always address hosts by their
full name and title.
Customary Arab hospitality is followed as a rule,
in accordance with religious law. Traditionalist and discreet dress
should be worn in observance of local Islamic laws.
Restrictions
The rapid execution of journalist Farzad Bazoft exemplifies the
need for extreme caution when
photographing anything of a sensitive nature. This includes photographs
of local people (as the Muslim religion does not allow the representation
of human or animal images in any form), and, most essentially, any
government installations, buildings or indeed anything else that
may be considered off limits to visitors. If in any doubt, it is
advised not to take a photo.
Tipping
The general limit is 10 to 15 %. Taxi drivers need not be tipped
as the fare is agreed before the journey. |
