Saudi Arabiađź•Ł
Country in Southwest Asia. Official name – the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Population – 35.8 million (as of 2020). Capital – Riyadh. Official language – Arabic. Government type – absolute monarchy. Main religion – Islam.
Saudi Arabia
Greeting
The traditional form of greeting in the business environment of this country is a handshake, usually exchanged between men. However, those who have worked with foreigners for a long time generally exchange handshakes with both women and men.
If a Saudi colleague refrains from shaking hands with a foreign woman, it should not be seen as rude or impolite behavior. On the contrary, it is a sign of respect toward the woman.
Physical contact between genders is not customary due to strong Muslim traditions in this country. Foreign women should wait for a man to take the initiative before offering a handshake. The same applies to foreign men, who should observe women’s behavior in such situations.
In case of uncertainty about the appropriate greeting behavior, a foreign man can nod slightly toward the woman, smile, and greet her in English or (preferably) Arabic.
The traditional greeting procedure in Saudi Arabia is different. Relatives, friends, or people who know each other well and for a long time may, in addition to shaking hands, place their left hand on the other person's right shoulder while exchanging cheek kisses (a light touch of cheek to cheek). Sometimes, they may even touch noses (“nose rub”), but this is only done between very close friends.
In this Arab country, there is a deep respect for the elderly. It is customary to greet older people first.
During greetings and any business conversation, it is important to maintain eye contact with your interlocutor. However, this applies only to communication between men. If a woman is present in the conversation, a man should avoid direct eye contact, staring at her, or making comments about her appearance or clothing.
Foreigners should not try to imitate the traditional Arab greeting styles used by their Saudi partners. Such gestures are only appropriate after establishing a close business or even personal relationship.
Introduction
In situations of official, formal, and business communication—especially during initial contacts—the accepted form of address is “Mr” or “Mrs” followed by the person's first name (not last name), for example, Mr Ali. The same applies to women: Mrs Maryam.
Titles, ranks, and academic degrees are important. When meeting a high-ranking government official, the correct for...
Exchange of Business Cards
It is customary to exchange business cards during introductions at the beginning of the first meeting, after the initial greeting.
A business card should include the standard set of information: first and last name, job title or position, company name, and all relevant contact details. The mobile phone number is especially important (although women are advised not to include their mobil...
Small Talk: Overview
Business conversations in Saudi Arabia are usually preceded by small talk, which serves as a kind of prelude to the actual negotiations. For Arab businessmen, it is important to get to know their potential partner better, as relationship-building is the foundation of any business. These conversations help establish a sense of trust between partners—a crucial value in the Arab world.
Don...
Preferred Topics
Sports, especially football (soccer) and basketball, are popular and safe topics for conversation.
Travel experiences — places the speakers have visited and their impressions.
Discussing landmarks and attractions in Saudi Arabia that the guest plans to visit. It shows interest and respect for the host country.
Conversations about traditions and business practices in the ...
Taboo Topics
Personal Space
In this Arab culture, personal space during conversation varies depending on the gender of those involved. Men tend to stand quite close to each other when talking, but this distance increases significantly when a woman is part of the conversation.
Body language during communication is important. Physical gestures such as prolonged handshakes or gently holding the other person’s arm nea...
Communication Specifics
In Saudi Arabian business culture, building and maintaining relationships is of great importance, especially when it comes to interactions with foreign partners. Focus on developing personal connections — this may include conversations unrelated to business, participation in social events together, attending forums, and more. These time investments are highly valued and will pa...
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