The Emiratis, and other Gulf Coast people, are easily recognized by their dress, the first of many historic cultural elements that the people cling to. Instead of adopting the many foreign demands, the people have, in some ways, gone to the opposite extreme as they are quite proud of their history and culture. Family remains at the root of the culture and locals are essentially guaranteed jobs since the Emiratis are always looking out for the Emiratis as they remain a close knit community. Historically, the people have come from numerous clans, which were large extended families and today these ties are still the center of the culture.
While family is the center of life and religion is also extremely important to most people, today most of the population is urbanized and many have jobs in the services sector as they work regular hours. Most Emiratis have their own cars (although public transportation is also easily accessible) and work from about 8:00 am to about 5:00 pm. The Emiratis also changed their weekend so now the days off are Friday (Islam's holy day) and Saturday, primarily to share more working days with Europe and the rest of the non-Islamic world (the weekend was formerly Thursday-Friday).
Like the working environment, modern technology is readily available in the country and it's not uncommon to see an Emirati in traditional dress on a tablet or cell phone, which today is as much a part of the daily life in the U.A.E. as any other aspect of their historic culture.
The people have, and continue to balance traditional with modern changes, clinging to their historic culture, but living a lifestyle more in line with that of the technologically-driven world of today. None-the-less Islam keeps the people humble as dating is limited, few locals drink alcohol, and family remains the center of life.