INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Both men and women are expected to dress with an appropriate level of discretion during the month of Ramadan. Show as little skin as possible, within reason. Cover your knees and shoulders, wear only modest makeup, and do not wear revealing necklines. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.  If you are female, consider covering your head with a scarf or pashmina. The stated purpose of this garb is to reduce the risk of temptation. It is most important to dress modestly if you enter a mosque or another sacred space. This holds true even when Ramadan is not in effect. People will be abstaining from all food and water from dawn to dusk each day, and they will be actively trying to resist worldly temptations. If someone is trying to abstain from a certain habit or practice, avoid doing that thing in front of them. At best, you will offend the locals – and at worst, you may find yourself in trouble with the police. Be modest and respectful, and do your best to keep the peace.  Do not play loud music; in general, do not make a lot of noise in public spaces. Do not swear in public. Ramadan is a time for prayer and spiritual reflection, and loud or vulgar noises may disturb this peace.  Fasting can wreak havoc upon a person's eating and sleeping habits, so some locals might be "hangry" or more irritable than usual. Understand that this is part of the experience. Try to be patient with everyone that you meet. Charity is a huge part of the ethos of Ramadan, and giving money to a good cause can be a great way to get into the holiday spirit. If you want to help an organization, look into the various volunteering and donating options in Dubai. On a simpler level, consider tipping service workers extra. The working hours are two hours shorter than usual during this month. In order to handle their hunger, people tend to stay up very late at night, then nap in the afternoon. All public restaurants and coffee shops are closed from dawn to sunset. Bars, clubs, and live music venues typically close down, so you may need to find another way to keep yourself busy.  Be careful on the streets. The roads will be busier, especially when the fast breaks at sundown and people are going out to dinner. Drivers are generally more tired, and the rate of UAE traffic accidents increases dramatically during Ramadan. Do not worry about finding food. Restaurants at hotels, airports, and other traveler-specific spaces tend to remain open during the day, and food and drinks are freely served in those areas. Smoking is prohibited in almost all public areas during the month of Ramadan, and you may even draw attention if you smoke in private spaces. Most importantly, do not smoke around practicing Muslims, some of whom might be trying to abstain from cigarettes for the month. Eating and drinking in front of fasting Muslims is not illegal, but it is usually considered disrespectful.

SUMMARY: Dress modestly. Be considerate of practicing Muslims. Be charitable. Understand how business hours shift during Ramadan. Don't eat or smoke in public places.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Blowing a kiss is a gesture that is well-understood in North American culture, but not necessarily in others. Be aware of your cultural surroundings or the cultural background of the person you wish to blow a kiss to. If you make the gesture to someone who doesn't understand it, you may be left in an awkward situation. In Brazil, for instance, the gesture of bringing your fingers to your mouth as if you kiss them signifies the enjoyment of a meal and not a sign of affection. Before you blow a kiss, make sure it is an appropriate situation and done in the right context. Blowing a kiss is often seen as a flirtatious gesture, which can be problematic in the workplace. It is also a gesture that you and the recipient of your kiss may not wish for certain people to see (e.g., gossiping neighbors.) Blowing a kiss is a bold statement of affection that you should think about carefully beforehand. A person who does not want to receive your affections may feel uncomfortable or harassed by the gesture. If there is any chance that the person will be made uncomfortable by the kiss, avoid doing it. For instance, if a person has already rejected your romantic advances, avoid blowing them a kiss.

SUMMARY: Be mindful about your cultural surroundings. Choose an appropriate time and place. Make sure the person won't be uncomfortable.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: up with vocal exercises before singing. You wouldn’t try running a marathon without stretching, so don’t sing without flexing your vocal cords. Start by sighing to gently stretch your vocal cords while also releasing physical and emotional tension. Sing different notes up and down your vocal range. Stop if you feel your vocal cords straining. Warming up your voice does protect your vocal cords, but it also gives you a chance to relax and gain confidence before singing.  Try warming up with lip trills. Put your lips together and vibrate your lips like you’re humming. Practice this with different notes. Also try arpeggios, such as by singing the “Do Re Mi” tonal scale. You can also choose a sound like “Re” and sing it up and down your vocal range. This exercise is called a siren. Don’t forget to use your entire body! This means maintaining your posture and relaxing your jaw. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel singing! Make some time so you can listen to yourself sing. As you hear your own voice, you will likely start caring less if others hear it too. In addition, you get plenty of time to improve your vocal skills, which also leads to more confidence.  Unfortunately, practice doesn't mean perfection. Remember to practice healthy singing, such as good posture and stopping when your vocal cords feel strained. You can sing when you’re doing daily tasks like work or cleaning. This can help make singing feel second nature to you. Love your voice because it is uniquely yours. If you don’t want to hear it, then don’t expect the audience to want to hear it either. Any doubt you feel towards your voice shows on your face and in your body language. You are unlikely to ever feel confident if you are busy doubting your voice.  Many famous singers don’t make it on their voices alone. Artists like Bob Dylan, Ozzy Osbourne, Britney Spears, and Madonna aren’t technically gifted vocalists. No one is a “natural.” Success while singing comes from practice as well as confidence from personality, songwriting, and stage presence. The easiest way to get started singing is to learn more skills. A teacher can guide you and give you feedback along the way. Seek out a vocal teacher in your area. Let them cheer you on as you learn to control and master your voice.  Select a voice teacher that is trained in the genre you wish to perform. Express any concerns you have with your teacher. Let them know that your confidence is an area you want to work on. Teachers can show you how to relax and also find songs that challenge your limits. Singing for a vocal teacher can help you gain confidence, but ask other people to listen to you sing too. This can be difficult, so find a setting that works for you. For instance, invite a few trusted friends or family members to listen to you at home.  Not everyone feels comfortable singing in front of people they know. A karaoke bar or open mic night might be better for you. You could also record yourself singing and share it with your friends and family or post it on social media. Have fun while singing. You can ask for feedback, but focus on getting comfortable on stage so you gain confidence.

SUMMARY:
Warm Practice for at least 15 minutes every day. Accept the sound of your voice even if it seems imperfect. Work with a professional to train your voice. Practice singing in front of family and other small groups.