When you're interacting with people from around the world, it is important to understand the culture and etiquette of the people around you. By taking the time to learn a bit about how people do business in other countries, you'll be better at building good professional relationships. Learn about the business etiquette of people in the United Arab Emirates.
Instructions
1. Learn the names of the people you will be meeting ahead of time. The names may be difficult to remember and pronounce, so getting this list in advance will give you some time to study.
2. Dress in clothes that cover the body. Men should wear a long-sleeved shirt, jacket and tie. Women should wear a skirt suit or dress, with hems below the knee. Absolutely do not dress in native clothing if you are a foreigner.
3. Have any printed materials, such as brochures or reports, translated into Arabic for your associates.
4. Also, if entering a carpeted room, remove your shoes before entering and leave them outside the room.
5. Greet with a handshake for men, beginning with the most senior executive in the room. A man, however, should not extend his hand to a woman. Wait for her cue. If she extends her hand, a handshake is appropriate. This works in reverse for visiting women. Do not extend your hand to a man, but shake if a hand is offered.
6. The traditional greeting is "As-salam alaikum," (peace be upon you) to which the standard reply is "Wa alaikum as-salam" (and upon you be peace).
7. Be patient with interruptions while meeting. It is very common for appointments to be interrupted by phone calls or visitors, even of a personal nature, and it should not be considered a slight.
8. Be prepared to bargain. This is part of the culture-virtually everything is bargained for.
9. Expect the unexpected when it comes to the pace of negotiations. Things will move very slowly or very quickly (rarely in between).
