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It is often considered impolite and sometimes
very rude not to respect cultural and religious customs when doing
business in the Middle East. Here is some advice on what to do and what not to do in Muslim countries.
One important point to remember is to dress despite the heat. A suit, shirt and tie are acceptable for men, and women should remember not to wear short skirts or low-cut, tight-fitting blouses and tops. As a sign of respect, it is better to as much of the body as possible. The arms with long-sleeved blouses and the legs with trousers or long skirts. Meetings could start a little late in this of the world. This is often acceptable and should not be commented on. Meetings tend to start with a lot of preliminary before moving onto the serious topics, so it is essential for visitors not to things. Business meetings often appear casual and informal, often in cafés or restaurants. But be careful! When talk turns to business things can move very quickly and deals are made in much time than in Western Europe. The Arabic handshake involves touching the heart with the of the right hand after each shake, although visitors should note that when Arab women they should not offer their hand unless the woman gives her hand first. It shows politeness to to a man as ‘Sayed’ (Mr) and to a woman as ‘Sayeda’ (Mrs), followed by the first name. It is also very important for visitors never to sit in such a way that their feet are pointing directly at someone . It is considered extremely offensive if you cause a client or a colleague to lose *, so if you want to correct or criticise someone, wait until you are with them later. Friday is considered a day of prayer and rest, so meetings should not be for this day. Phone calls to Arab people should also be avoided on Fridays. Similarly, local people will not answer the telephone siestas, which are usually taken between 2 pm and 5 pm. Business hours are Saturday to Wednesday 8 am –1 pm and 4 pm –7 pm. Businesses which are by Western staff might open Sunday to Thursday 8 am – 5 pm. Business socialising in Dubai can be quite formal. Lunch meetings are more common than evening meetings and sometimes business meals will be in places that do not serve alcohol. If you ask for it you may embarrass or even insult your host. Political tension is often high in the Middle East and visitors are strongly advised not to politics. If you are asked for your opinion, be careful. It is probably a good idea to stay neutral. *To lose face = Desprestigiar, perder prestigio |
