Iraq🕣
State in Southwest Asia. Official name – the Republic of Iraq. Population – 41.8 million (as of 2020). Capital – Baghdad. Official languages – Arabic and Kurdish. Government type – parliamentary republic. Main religion – Islam.
Iraq
Greeting
A handshake is one of the greetings accepted in Iraq's business environment. Partners exchange handshakes at both the beginning and end of a meeting.
The handshake of Iraqi men can be described as rather soft, but at the same time quite prolonged and without shaking. Your Iraqi partner may hold your hand in his while he asks you some general questions (such as “How are you?” and similar things. It is important not to pull your hand away, as this can be perceived very negatively.
The traditional Iraqi greeting in formal settings is a gesture with the right hand, which the speaker places on the chest in the heart area. At the same time, the speaker slightly bows his head, as if bowing to the other person. With this gesture, the speaker expresses his sincere feelings and respect towards the interlocutor.
Whatever form of greeting your partner chooses, it will be accompanied by As-salamu alaykum, which means Peace be upon you. In response, you should say Wa-alaykum as-salam, which means And peace be upon you.
If a woman enters the room, all the seated men should stand up as a sign of greeting. Everyone should also stand when an elderly person enters. The same happens when he leaves.
Physical contact, as well as eye contact between genders, is not accepted due to the strong Muslim traditions in this country. Foreign women should wait for the man to take the initiative before extending their hand for a greeting. The same applies to foreign men, who should wait for the woman's readiness to greet them.
In this Arab country, it is customary to greet the elder in age and position first. Such a person is unlikely to start the conversation themselves but will support a younger interlocutor if they start the conversation.
During greetings, Iraqis mutually ask each other questions about the health of each person present and their family. Stick to this tradition when communicating with partners in this country.
Introduction
The surnames of Iraqis are often quite complex, as they include the entire patriarchal lineage: the person's birth name, the name of their father, the name of their grandfather, the clan name, and the name of the ethnic group. A person's full surname can consist of up to six names.
An Iraqi resident uses their full name in specific, usually official, situations. The first name and surna...
Exchange of Business Cards
In Iraqi business practice, business cards are a symbol of long-term relationships. They should contain all the necessary and up-to-date contact information.
If you have academic degrees or titles, mention them on your business card. Your status will be elevated, as education is highly valued in Iraq.
The text on your business card should be in Arabic on at least one side. This ...
Small Talk: Overview
In Iraqi business practice, small talk is given great importance as it serves as a prelude to actual negotiations. Iraqi businessmen are trying to get to know their potential partners better, as establishing relationships is the foundation of any business. These conversations help build a sense of trust between partners, which is very important in the Arab world.
Don’t rush through smal...
Preferred Topics
Your Iraqi colleague will undoubtedly appreciate your positive remarks about the rich history and culture of this Arab country. Iraqis are proud of their heritage and past achievements.
Show personal interest in your Iraqi partner by inquiring about their health and affairs, and asking questions about their family. However, avoid mentioning female family members.
In Iraqi commun...
Taboo Topics
Family is generally a popular topic in Iraqi business culture, but you should refrain from asking about or discussing the female members of the family – wives, mothers, sisters, and especially daughters.
Religion and anything related to Islam is a sensitive topic that is better avoided in conversation. However, your Iraqi counterpart might engage you in a discussion on this topic, as ma...
Personal Space
In this Arab culture, the distance for comfortable communication is smaller than in Central and Northern European countries or the USA. Try not to increase this distance, such as by stepping back, as this will be perceived negatively.
If Iraqi men stand quite close to each other during a conversation, the distance between them increases significantly when a woman is present.
Ira...
Communication Specifics
Iraqis are often indirect. Their statements may contain hidden meanings influenced by factors such as the relationship between the speakers, their social status, and the general context of the conversation. Unspoken elements, certain gestures, facial expressions, intonation, and the meanings of specific words understood only by native speakers are usually important.
In Iraqi society, th...
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