Social Life in the Maldives
Behavior
Most of the behavioral rules and restrictions in the Maldives are related to Islam, beginning with the conservative dress (above), but more important are their dietary restrictions. Islamic law forbids pork products and alcohol; fortunately, there is little expectation that you follow these rules unless you are in public. Few restaurants serve pork products and if they do it is in a resort, in which no local will be offended at your order. Alcohol is only available in resorts; in fact hotels expect you to drink alcohol as it makes up a part of their income and appeal to the foreigner. However, alcohol isn't available outside resorts and public intoxication (outside your resort) is forbidden, even if you only had one or two drinks. See our Maldives Dining & Food Page for further details.
In addition to following the dress restrictions mentioned below and following the local dining etiquette, the most important behavioral restrictions are basic courtesy. Avoid sensitive conversation topics, such as politics, finances, religion, and business unless initiated by your local counterpart.