| • |
Punctuality is not a virtue,
however, you should always be prompt. |
| • |
Do not be put out if you are kept waiting.
This is a general practice, so it is best not to have
too many appointments in one day. |
| • |
Your Saudi sponsor is the most important
person in your life when dealing with business in Saudi
Arabia, so you should treat him just as you would a valuable
lifeline. |
| • |
Be prepared to have a number of people
walking in and out of your meeting. |
| • |
Government officials do not work more
than six hours per day, so if you are looking to meet
with them, mornings are probably the only available time. |
| • |
Be prepared to work anytime up until midnight.
It is not unusual for business to be conducted late into
the evening. |
| • |
It is very important to be aware of the
Islamic calendar since it uses lunar months of 28 days.
For this reason, you cannot count on fixed dates for various
holidays. Any paperwork you prepare should carry both
the Gregorian (Western) date and the Hijrah (Arabic date).
Whenever possible, try to avoid doing business during
the month of Ramadan. |
| • |
Be patient; business pace is very slow.
Do not be surprised to have many inquiries made as to
your health and that of your family. |
| • |
Prepare to have decisions take a very
long time. |
| • |
All business cards should be printed with
English on one side and Arabic on the other. |
| • |
Since many Saudi’s have an unlisted
telephone number, you should always record all information
on a card. |
| • |
Whenever dealing in the Arab world, remember
that the books and publications are generally read from
what would be in the U.S., back cover forward. Therefore,
it is very important that your back cover be impressive
even if you are not having it translated. |
| • |
Leave multiple copies of the brochures
and materials since the person you may be talking to may
not be the real decision-maker. |
| • |
Saudi’s speak much closer than we
generally do; do not back away. |
| • |
It is not unusual for Saudi men to walk
hand-in-hand or arm-in-arm. Take it as a good sign if
your hand or arm is being held. |
| • |
In Arabic, it is very easy to confuse
the “yes” with the “yes” in English.
A “yes” in Arabic is probably simply a reflective
courtesy and not an agreement. |
| • |
It is very important to in no way compromise
someone’s dignity. |
| • |
Do not discuss women unless a Saudi broaches
the subject. Do not even inquire as to the health of a
Saudi’s wife or daughter. |
| • |
Remove your shoes in their home. |
| • |
The left hand is considered unclean. In
the Arab world, always use the right hand. |
| • |
Keep both feet on the ground as Arabs
do not cross their legs when sitting. Never show the bottom
of your foot to an Arab as they consider it offensive. |
| • |
The “thumbs up” gesture is
offensive throughout the Arab world. |
