The United Arab Emirates is one of the fastest growing destinations for business and leisure visitors, with its fascinating mix of the ancient and modern. Huge investment in the economic and tourism infrastructure has reinvented it as a unique strategic hub between East and West. Make sure you know how to navigate the fascinating cultural waterways of this desert country, as Expo 2020 looms. From when and when not to shake hands and greetings to being respectful of prayer times during the working day, check out our top tips for UAE Business Etiquette.
A quick guide to cultural awareness tips and business etiquette for the UAE:
- As-salam alaikum is the customary greeting and means peace be upon you to which the reply is Wa alaikum as-salam – and upon you (be peace).
- Inshallah means God willing and is often used as response upon agreement on future cooperation.
- While engaging in building business relationships in UAE, remember how important social status is. Always use the correct title when addressing someone. It is acceptable to address someone with Sheikh– or Sheikha for a woman, Sayed for Mr., Sayeda for Mrs.. It is customary to address strangers by their first names only, e.g. Mrs. Julia.
- It is crucial to always greet and pay your respects to the senior in the room before greeting everyone else.
- Handshakes are very common and can last a couple seconds longer than you are used to. There is an unwritten rule saying that you should wait for your counterpart to withdraw their hand first.
- When a man is being introduced to a woman, he should wait to see if she extends her hand towards him first. It is not customary for Muslim women to shake a man’s hand in public settings. When a Western woman is introduced to a Muslim man, she also should respectfully wait for him to make the first move instead of extending her hand first in a greeting.
- Use your right hand for eating, shaking someone’s hand, or handing an object. Like in many different cultures, the left hand is used for bodily hygiene and hence considered unclean.
- Do not be surprised if your business partner holds your hand while heading somewhere together. Men and women holding hands does not have any malicious connotation.
- The so-called ‘personal space’ might be slightly smaller in the Middle East than it is in some Western countries. Try not to move away when a person steps closer as you might unwillingly offend them.
- Older people enjoy a very special status within the society. Always remember to show due respect. It includes standing up when older people enter a room, always greeting older people first, serving older people first at a meal.
- A small personal gift is a nice touch and – as long as it is meaningful – absolutely acceptable.
- Men should avoid touching and prolonged eye contact with Muslim women at all times. It shows respect for the culture and traditions and your female counterpart – as well as her male companions – will surely acknowledge and appreciate it.
- It is considered improper to inquire about a man’s wife or daughter. It is polite to ask about family or health in general, but not specifically about any females who have a unique status within the family.
- Women must always cover their hair when entering a mosque or any religious site for that matter.
- When entering a mosque or someone’s home always remember to take off your shoes.
- Doing business in the Middle East has a lot to do with personal relationships and traditional values, like family, trust and honor. Therefore it is essential for business relationships be based on meaningful friendships.
- A working week in the Middle East is usually Sunday through Thursday.
- Westerners are expected to be punctual and to arrive to scheduled meetings in time. It is probable that your business counterpart will not obey this rule himself though.
- People in the Middle East are famous for their great hospitality. Never refuse a beverage or pastries during a meeting or else where as they are an important part of every social gathering. You should kindly thank your hosts for their hospitality and compliment the food and drinks you have been served.
- One of the most common mistakes Western business men do is sitting in a way that the bottoms of their shoes show, e.g. by placing the ankle of one leg over their other knee in a nonchalant manner. In the Middle East this is a sign of great disrespect. Also, never touch anyone with your shoe. In case this should unwillingly happen, apologize sincerely.
- Delays in meetings are a common occurrence. Always be patient and accept that decisions might take time.
- All Gulf countries, including the UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, are Muslim, as is Egypt. Always keep in mind that insulting or questioning Islam or the prophets is a serious offense, just as it is with any other religion.
- Muslims follow the Koran, meaning that the consumption of alcohol, pork, and shellfish is forbidden. It is best not to consume these in the presence of government or religious officials. It is also strictly prohibited to drink alcohol in public!
- Muslims pray five times a day. You will likely hear the calls to prayer:
Between dawn and sunrise
About 30 minutes after midday
Afternoon
Right after sunset
1 ½ hours after sunset
- People in the Middle East talk to each other in a loud and energetic manner, which might be interpreted as anger to a Westerner, but is a common way of communicating in this part of the world.
The official and national language of the UAE is Arabic, with English being spoken as a second language. Even if meetings are to be held in English, it is still a good idea to learn a few words of Arabic, as a sign of respect and trust, both of which are intrinsic to the Emirati culture.
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Andrie Steliou
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