Qatarđź•Ł
Country in Southwest Asia, in the northeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Official name – the State of Qatar. Population – 2.9 million (as of 2020). Capital – Doha. Official language – Arabic. Government type – absolute monarchy. Main religion – Islam.
Qatar
Greeting
Qatar is a multinational state where people from a wide range of cultures can be found. The largest population group—about 40%—is made up of Arabs. There are also people from India (18%), Pakistan (18%), Iran (10%), and other Arab countries. The proportion of Qatari nationals, the indigenous population of the country, is relatively small—around 12%.
Due to this ethnic diversity, various cultures coexist in Qatar, each with its own forms of greeting. However, in the business environment, the traditional form of greeting is a handshake, which is usually exchanged between men.
Physical contact between the sexes is generally not accepted due to strong Muslim traditions in the country. Foreign women should wait for the man to initiate a handshake before extending their hand in greeting. The same applies to foreign men, who should observe the woman's behavior in such situations before offering a handshake.
Sometimes, as a gesture of greeting a woman, a man places his hand over his heart and slightly bows his head while smiling. This is considered an alternative (non-contact) form of greeting of women in both business and social settings.
A handshake is always accompanied by a verbal greeting commonly used in the Arab world: “As-salamu alaykum,” which means “Peace be upon you.” The proper response is “Wa alaykum as-salam,” meaning “And upon you be peace.”
The entire greeting procedure among locals is generally quite formal and fairly lengthy. In addition to a handshake, people may clasp each other’s arms at the elbow or shoulder, exchange cheek kisses (a light cheek-to-cheek touch), or even touch noses (“nose rubbing”). The latter is reserved only for close friends.
During greetings, as well as any business conversation, it is important to maintain eye contact with the other person. However, this applies only to interactions between men. If a woman is present in the conversation, a man should avoid making direct eye contact with her, staring, or complimenting her appearance or clothing.
Foreigners should not imitate traditional Arab greeting customs when interacting with their Qatari counterparts. Such gestures are only appropriate once close business or even friendly relationships have been established.
Introduction
In official, formal, and business settings—especially during initial interactions—the accepted form of address is Mr (for men) followed by the first name, not the surname, for example: Mr Omar. The same applies to women: Mrs Aisha. Surnames in Qatar are primarily used in written correspondence.
Titles, ranks, and academic degrees are very important. When meeting a hi...
Exchange of Business Cards
In Qatar, exchanging business cards is a common practice—almost everyone has one. It is advisable to always carry a sufficient supply of business cards with you.
A business card should include a standard set of information: your first and last name, job title or position, company name, and all relevant contact details. The mobile phone number is particularly important (though it is re...
Small Talk: Overview
A business conversation in Qatar is typically preceded by small talk, which serves as a kind of prelude to the actual negotiations. For Qatari businessmen, it is important to get to know their potential partner better, as building relationships is the foundation of any business. These informal conversations help establish a sense of trust, which is a crucial concept in the Arab world.
Preferred Topics
Positive remarks or compliments about Qatar, its landmarks, and famous buildings or structures are always well received.
Especially appreciated are favorable comments about Qatar’s achievements, including its economic growth, prosperity, and its oil and gas industries. Sincere praise of this kind will be valued by your Qatari counterpart.
Sports, particularly local football ...
Taboo Topics
Controversial topics, especially political statements, should be avoided.
Religion and anything related to Islam is a rather sensitive subject and is best not brought up in conversation.
Do not ask personal questions during a first meeting, such as about your Arab partner’s family or children. Such topics may only be discussed after a considerable amount of time has passed a...
Personal Space
The comfortable distance for communication varies depending on the gender of the participants. Men tend to stand quite close to each other during conversations, but this distance increases significantly when a woman is involved in the discussion.
People in Qatar actively use body language during communication. Physical contact, including prolonged handshakes and holding the arm near t...
Communication Specifics
This Arab country is characterized by extraordinary cultural diversity. In business settings, you may encounter people with various cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, and educational levels. It is important to be mindful of your language and avoid any evaluative comments that could unintentionally offend someone.
Qatari speech is not typically direct. On the contrary, their expr...
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