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Business Etiquette: How Is The Arab World Different From The Western World?

Understanding the correct business etiquette in whatever situation you may find yourself in is very important for any businessperson, but it can often be difficult to adjust to the different customs and etiquette which apply in a new country. Many businesspeople find it particularly difficult to cope with the transition between doing business in the Western world and working in the Arab world, or vice versa. In addition to the obvious language differences, there are many important differences in the culture and etiquette.

Handshakes are common in the Arab world, but unlike in the West, they are not only used when first meeting someone, but also each time they are met, even when the meetings occur on the same day. It is also common to shake hands when parting from someone. Touching someone with your left hand, or passing something, particularly food, using your left hand is considered rude.

Physical contact is common between men in the Arab world, and people tend to stand or sit closer together than is usual in the West. It is important to relax and accept this rather than to try to move away, as this could cause offense.

Showing the soles of the feet is considered rude in the Arab world, so it is important to avoid doing so in public, for example when crossing ones legs while facing another person.

Modesty in dress is important for both men and women, and it is also important to avoid physical contact with women in public, even if you are a married couple, but especially if you are strangers. It is not usual to ask a businessperson about their female relatives, or to pay any attention to them if you are invited to someone's home.

Hospitality tends to be very important in the Arab world, as it is an important part of Islam. Providing a proper welcome to guests is believed to be very important, so it is essential to participate in these often lengthy and ritualized greetings and small talk, even at the beginning of a serious business meeting. Hosts will usually offer tea or coffee, and this should always be accepted in order to avoid giving offense. Most business meetings begin with a shot of strong coffee, which will usually be drunk in one go. When visiting someone's home, it is considered impolite to offer a gift of food or drink since it implies that you think your host is unable to provide for you. If you are entertaining, it is often best to offer at least one vegetarian option since many Muslims will not eat meat, including fish.

One important difference in business etiquette between the Western world and the Arab world is in the attitude to punctuality. Arab businesspeople generally do not feel the need to be punctual, and may even be late on purpose in order to test the commitment of the person with whom they are meeting. However, foreigners are usually expected to be punctual, so it is best to arrive on time and be patient if you have to wait. A friend of mine runs a Las Vegas SEO Company, and was forced to wait for over 4 hours in a hotel lobby negotiating a contract worth over $2M.

Decisions often take a lot of time in the Arab world and things can seem to move very slowly. It is important to be patient and to avoid appearing as if you are in a hurry since this will seem rude. You should expect to spend a lot of time building a personal relationship with people, making conversation that is unrelated to your business, and giving people time to go away and think about their decision. Just because someone does not come to a decision at the meeting, it does not mean they are not interested. It is normal to make people wait before coming to an agreement, and it is also common to spend some time negotiating the terms of the agreement.

Business hours can be different in different Arab countries. It is usual for businesses to be closed on Friday, which is the Islamic holy day. People often take a break during the middle of the day, when it can be unbearably hot. People often work shorter hours during Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. In order to respect this, it is important to avoid offering food or drink or consuming them in public during this month.

English is very common in business in the Arab world, but it is a good idea to learn a few words of Arabic or the local language. For example, it is usual to greet people by saying "Assalamo Alaikum". It is also a good idea to print bilingual business cards and to provide translations and interpreters for your business acquaintances.

Consistency, loyalty, predictability or low risks, and respect for authority tend to be highly valued in the Arab world. When doing business in the Arab world it is important to shoe these values by producing detailed plans, building long-term personal relationships.

Business etiquette does differ between Arab countries, so it is important to find out more about the specific country in which you will be working. For example, punctuality is actually considered very important in Oman, while physical contact in Bahrain often extends to offering a kiss on the cheek. Smiling and maintaining eye contact are also considered important in Bahrain. Meanwhile, in Yemen, you should be aware that a type of business meetings called a qat involves smoking, and it is expected that guests will bring coals and tobacco. Pipes will be lit at the beginning of the meeting, and passed around continuously, using the right hand only.

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