Importance in business/local norms

Gifts are generally seen as a gesture of goodwill. Ideally, gifts should reflect knowledge of counterparts' hobbies and interests as an indication of the personal care taken in selecting something for them. It would not be appropriate to bring a gift to a first meeting with a business associate, but gifts are appreciated as a more personal token once the relationship has been developed.

Appropriate gifts

Appropriate gifts include items related to the person's hobbies and interests (a more personalized gift implies a closer relationship); a specialty from your hometown or region; office-related items such as engraved pens (gifts with company logos are appreciated); and flowers.

Inappropriate gifts

Foreign businesspeople should keep in mind that men are discouraged from wearing gold or silk, so gifts made of these materials should be given only to women. Visiting businessmen should avoid giving gifts to Saudi women, as a rule.

Gift-exchange protocol

Gifts should not be presented with the left hand, which is considered dirty.

Foreign businesspeople should be careful with their compliments. If they admire something (for example, a piece of jewelry or an object) in someone's home, their Saudi host might present them with the object of their admiration, and it would be rude to refuse.

Business Hours

Typical business hours

Effective June 29, 2013, the official work week in Saudi Arabia was changed by royal decree to Sunday through Thursday. (Friday is a Muslim holy day, and previously, most people took Thursday and Friday off as the weekend.) Office hours vary. Government office hours are from 7:30 to 14:30 (2:30 pm), and bank hours are from 8:30 to 12:00 and 17:00 to 19:00 (5 to 7 pm).

Summer hours: In summer, people often conduct business in the cool of the evening, working from 9:00 to 12:00 and 16:00 to 22:00 (4 to 10 pm).

Lunch

Most businesses close for the afternoon and reopen later for a few hours. Some offices may close for only one hour at lunch.

Times to avoid

Although there are varying degrees of adherence to Islamic laws, most people pray five times a day: at daybreak, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and evening. The break for prayer means that shops close and business appointments are usually not scheduled during this time.

Business Attire

Foreign businesspeople should dress conservatively for initial meetings with Saudis, as a neat appearance shows respect for those with whom one is meeting.

Appropriate attire usually depends on the norm within each company. Business casual is common at many companies. For external meetings, however, most people tend to wear formal attire. Some multinational companies have uniforms for all the employees. This creates a sense of equality among the employees.

For men

Saudi counterparts will most likely be wearing a thobe (robe) and a ghutra (red and white or white scarf worn over the head and secured with a band of black fabric). A very formal robe will be worn over the thobe for special occasions. White scarves are worn more commonly in the summer. Some businessmen who have had extensive exposure to other cultures may wear Western business clothes. Gold jewelry and silk for men are prohibited by the laws of Islam and must not be worn.

For women

Businesswomen in particular need to dress very conservatively, covering their shoulders and arms and wearing long skirts. Blouses with long sleeves and high necklines are the most appropriate. Bare shoulders are not acceptable. In addition, although it is not mandatory, it is a sign of respect for a woman to cover her head, especially if she has light hair, which might attract attention. This holds true, especially in conservative parts of the country.

Saudi women who are involved in business dress very conservatively, usually wearing a long headscarf or veil and often an abaya (black robe). When seen outside a business context, a Saudi woman will often be clothed in the traditional veil and abaya.

Casual dress: As it is inappropriate for both men and women to reveal bare shoulders, the stomach, calves, or thighs, shorts and tank tops should not be worn in public, even for jogging or other forms of exercise. It should be noted that anyone wearing immodest or inappropriate dress — including foreigners — could be arrested or detained.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 753