Nonverbal communication

Arab culture is very high-context, meaning that communication involves much more than just a verbal exchange. Facial expression, tone of voice, and body language often convey a message more accurately than the spoken words.

Note that certain body parts are considered unclean or a sign of immodesty:

• Left hand: If at all possible, foreign businesspeople should avoid the use of their left hand when eating, when handing something to someone, or when gesturing.

• Feet: The feet are seen as the least clean part of the body and therefore should not be directed at anyone. Showing the soles of one’s feet is considered offensive. When sitting, foreign businesspeople should avoid crossing their legs to keep both feet on the ground to avoid showing the bottom of their feet while facing someone. The taboo extends to the soles of shoes as well, so shoes should not be overturned when taken off to enter a building. It is considered extremely rude to put one's feet on a desk or other furniture.

• Shoulders/arms, stomach, legs: Saudis, especially women, do not reveal bare shoulders or arms, the stomach, calves, or thighs. Exposing these parts would send a message of

immodesty and would be offensive to Arabs. They expect foreigners to be respectful and adopt acceptably modest dress in public.

Typical gestures

Making a "tsk" noise with the tongue and tilting the head backward indicates a negative response or "no." It is not a sign of disrespect, as in some countries.

You may see people rubbing a strand of "prayer beads" between their fingers. Although the beads look similar to a Catholic rosary, they do not have any religious significance.

Gestures to avoid

Pointing at a person or gesticulating wildly is considered rude and should be avoided, although Saudis commonly gesture while talking.

Dining, Entertaining & Hosting

Entertaining

Welcoming visitors: Foreign visitors are considered guests, and as the Arabs typically pride themselves on being very hospitable, they will generally want to make their guests feel welcome and comfortable.

Restaurants have table service, while hotel restaurants serve buffet-style meals.

Invitation to a meal: Once the relationship has been established, Saudi businesspeople who work for large companies may take business guests (usually upper-level managers of similar or equal status) outside the city for a barbecue or luncheon. In Riyadh, a common destination is amasraa (farm resort); in Jeddah, people often go to a beach resort. The guests are usually picked up by a car and driver or by one of the associates, who accompanies them. A foreign visitor should not suggest paying for this meal, as that would be considered unacceptable.

Etiquette

Observe hierarchy: It is customary to take customers and suppliers out to lunch, but it is important to observe the relative hierarchy in these situations. A person of higher status can invite those of lower rank, but not vice versa. Lunches are usually with peers.

Invitations: The person who extends an invitation to a meal or coffee is expected to pay the bill and not suggest splitting it. It is not polite to decline an invitation, so if your Saudi counterpart cannot accommodate you on the day you have suggested, he may propose getting together another day. Sometimes a specific date is not suggested: it is merely a way to keep the door open to further socializing. It should be taken as an indication he would like to spend time with you — just not on this particular occasion.

Arrival time: Saudis generally do not expect guests to be on time. Arriving half an hour to forty-five minutes after the stated time is viewed as acceptable. It is important that foreign businesspeople keep this in mind when inviting Saudis, and give an earlier time than the actual time to meet.

Meals: Foreign businesspeople will most likely be taken to a hotel dining room or restaurant for a local meal. When entering a room, the door is often held open for guests to go through before others. The meal is typically served in multiple courses with platters that are passed around the table so that

everyone can serve themselves. Guests are the first ones served. Typically, guests should be the first to start a meal; they do not need to wait for others to serve themselves before they begin eating.

Many Muslim Arabs will avoid using their left hand when eating, as it is believed to follow the ways of Prophet Mohammed who ate only with his right hand. It is not necessary for foreigners to avoid using their left hand, as Arab counterparts will not expect this. Often people will get up from the table to wash their hands between courses, but this is more common in traditional eating establishments, where food may be eaten with the hands. Dessert will be served after dinner, with either tea or coffee following.

Coffee: Coffee is usually served when you first arrive at a restaurant as well as after dessert. The coffee is not dark, as it is made from very light-roasted coffee beans and cardamom, and rather resembles green tea. It is served in a small cup, similar to an espresso. The person whose job is to pour the coffee generally stands in the room, waiting to refill the cup when you finish drinking. The coffee is drunk in a few sips, like espresso. Shaking one's cup means that one is finished; otherwise, the pourer will keep refilling the cup.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 855