Most hookah bars do not strictly enforce etiquette upon smokers though, as most patrons have never or rarely smoked.  The guidelines are easy to follow and simply show respect for the history involved.  Proper etiquette varies between different cultures, but a handful of rules are relatively universal.

• Never set a hookah on a table or ledge. A hookah should traditionally be placed on the floor to avoid contacting the charcoal with anything flammable. This may be difficult when using a hookah with shorter hoses, but a burning coal is a fire hazard. And placing a hookah on a table (especially one containing food or drink) is considered disrespectful



• Never pass the hookah directly to another person. Always first put it down and let the next smoker pick it up at their leisure. Setting a hose directly on the table signifies one smoker is done and the next person may pick up the hose.



• Never light cigarettes using the lit charcoal that lights shisha tobacco. Although cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking may take place alongside hookah smoking, it is considered improper to use a coal as a lighter.



• Do not blow smoke in the face of another person unless it is requested in order to taste the flavor being smoked.



• Never share your plastic mouthpiece with another person, as it does not promote good hygiene.



• When you are finished smoking hookah, wrap the hookah hose around the metal stem.



• Don't smoke anything but tobacco out of a hookah. Hookah smoking may often be associated with other controlled substances by some, but hookahs are traditionally used only to smoke shisha tobacco.