Going to Bahrain for a few weeks, are there any cultural do's and don'ts that anyone would like to offer?

particularly for minority female

Bahrain is very western you shouldn't have to worry about a thing

considering they only gave women the right to vote in 1973, I would say the biggest DON'T is:

DON'T go to Bahrain.

Well here are some don't when mingling with locals:

Do not offer to shake the hand of a man if you are a woman and when you talk to him, do not look at him directly in the eye--------unless you know the rules and you are really hard on him----in such cases he looses face and succumbs.

Do not enquire about his female relatives if you are a man and stay clear of any local woman.

Do not go alone to the market as a woman, get a man to come with you.......unless you choose to cover very well!
'Otherwise, they literally look at you like a piece of cheap meat'.

Stay away from hotel lobbies-bars. They are full of locals and saudi's that think that western women and up to everything!
Even if you are with another western man, they might try to hit on you as they think that: ' If this man respected her, he would not bring her here!'

Generally you need to take care! as there is a lot of cultural misunderstanding!

I assume you are female.

Be assured that there aren't many problems for females generally in Bahrain. Re the "don't look into a man's eyes etc" - not as bad as it sounds. A female can go anywhere on her own without trouble.

As in any western country be realistic about safety etc. - don't go out by yourself at night. Not that anything would happen, but naturally it's better to move in groups at night. And if you consider yourself to be an attractive female, men will stare!

You don't have to cover up everything either, but dress respectfully, otherwise you will get attention. The only time you have to cover up is when you visit the Grand Mosque (a must!). Then an abaya and head scarf are provided anyway.

Enjoy your stay.

WOMEN:
- not to dress to revealing, (tiny shorts & vests)
- dont shake hands with local men!
- go anywhere u want!
- dont hang around alone in the streets at night, risk of being picked up as a protitute!!

MEN:
- dont deal with local women
- wear anything u want!! :)

visit the forts, enojy the nightlife n cheap alcohole!!

Google "Foreign Clearance Guide" and it will tell u everything about every country. Including health risks, laws, and cultural facts. As always, don't 4get ur most important tool to tak with you; Common Sense! Good luck & travel safe!

Take care.