BUSINESS CULTURE

AND ETIQUETTE
IN SAUDI ARABIA
1. Greetings
2. Names and Titles
3. Business Meetings
4. Conversation Topics
5. Negotiation
6. Business Entertaining
7. Gift giving
8. Practical Advice
BUSINESS ETIQUETTE IN SAUDI ARABIA
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
GREETINGS
The form of greeting is a long, gentle handshake. Saudis
usually greet their friends by putting an arm around their
shoulders or giving them a kiss on either cheek.
If the meeting is in a majlis or diwan you must shake
hands with all the people present.
You are not obliged to give a visiting card at the beginning of
the meeting. It is better to wait for them to give you theirs.
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
The expressions for greeting are quite elaborate. They say
Assalam Gualaikum (Hello - literally: May peace be with you)
and the reply is Gualaikum Assalam (And peace be with you
too); then they say, Kaif halak? (How are you?) Other common
phrases are: Sabaah al-khayr (Good morning), Massa al-kayr
(Good evening) and Shukran (Thanks).
To address people you should use the title followed by the
rst name, for example, Mister Mohammed, Sheikh Rashid
or Prince Abdullah. The title of sheikh (whose meaning is
expert of the Koran) is used by people of a high social level
who are not members of the royal family.
NAMES AND TITLES
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
The best time to arrange visits is mid-morning or in the
afternoon. In Jeddah and other cities ofces are open until 21.00.
The foreigner visitor should be punctual, although
appointments are usually delayed, postponed to another
day, or even cancelled without any prior warning to show a
position of power.
The meeting may be interrupted by telephone calls, matters
that have to be dealt with urgently or even people coming in
and out. You should stay calm and not get upset. This is how
they usually work.
BUSINESS MEETINGS
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
You must avoid speaking about some topics like religion, the
conict with Israel or the role of women in society. Neither
should you ask about the way they dress. Favorite topics of
conversation are the countrys economic progress, history, art,
and sport (especially football).
You should not ask about their wife or sons and
daughters, since it may be ,interpreted as a lack of respect.
It is best to use the general term family.
Staring is a sign of trust. It is useful to gesticulate to give
emphasis to what is said.
CONVERSATION TOPICS
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
The price must be discussed in a friendly tone (between
friends). They begin at an articially high level and gradually
improve their ofer. You should not be surprised by initial
ofers that may seem outlandish.
When you negotiate you will have to ofer discounts or
additional concessions, for, example, the cost of transport.
Therefore you must know how much this is, because you are
sure to be asked.
Patience is fundamental. You should not pressurise to achieve
quick decisions since it will have the opposite efect. Business
will be done Inshaallah (God willing).
NEGOTIATION
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Lunches and dinners between companies are quite usual. The
business conversation must begin once the meal has nished.
You should show an interest in how the dishes have been
prepared and try each one.
Usually you eat with your hands from a single plate in the
centre of the table. It is a good idea to leave some food on your
plate. With this it means that the food is good and that another
person can eat it. In restaurants leaving food is interpreted as a
sign of wealth.
BUSINESS ENTERTAINING
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
To show respect, the Saudis open gifts in the presence of
who makes them and examine for a minute.
Some gifts for women are not allowed according to the
Muslim tradition: the case of jewelry or silk garments that
are reserved for women.
When you are invited to a house you must not take presents
for the hostess. You should not take food either, since it could
be interpreted that you do not expect the food to be good.
On the other hand, presents for children are welcome.
GIFT GIVING
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
To obtain the Saudi Arabia Business Culture Guide with more
than 100 tips about etiquette and protocol, verbal and non-
verbal communication, negotiation strategies, etc., clic on:
Saudi Arabia Business Culture and Etiquette Guide
To obtain Business Culture Guides in other countries clic on:
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PRACTICAL ADVICE
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides