Days and time

Weekend days in Saudi Arabia are Thursday and Friday.

Saudi businesspeople pray five times a day;

Saudis will interrupt whatever business activities they are engaged in for
their prayers.

During the month of Ramadan (Dates vary by year), businesses slow

down noticeably.

Foreigners are not expected to fast during Ramadan, however they should
be careful of eating in public or in the presence of those who are fasting.

Pace and Trust

Saudi culture has a less rigid concept of time and schedule compared to
the US.

Meetings are scheduled around set prayer times.

Saudi businessmen do not discuss important subjects immediately in a

meeting, they first chat and inquire about the other person.

To do business with a Saudi businessman, trust must first be established;

it may be a while before he will feel comfortable discussing serious
business matters.

It is important to not rush a Saudi businessman into a business agreement

or appear impatient.

When you reach the part of discussing business deals, nothing is final until
both parties have parted with a verbal understanding.

Gender Considerations
In Saudi Arabia, public interaction between men and women are severely
limited, even in business settings.

In public, foreign businesswomen may be expected to wear an abaya (full

length dress), their clothing should be loose-fitting and cover their
collarbone, elbow and knees.

In many public places (like restaurants), Western businesswomen cannot

meet with Saudi businessmen without a male in her party or cannot meet
with Saudi businessmen at all.

Foreign business women tend to be accepted but with a great deal of

reservation.

Miscellaneous
During small talks, Western businesspeople should avoid asking
specifically about a Saudi businessman's female relatives.

They should not point the soles of their feet at anyone.

Saudi businessmen are comfortable standing very close to the men they
are talking with, often eliminating what is considered personal space in the
US.

Saudi men are usually addressed by their title (e.g. doctor, professor) and
first name.

Western businesspeople should use their right hand when shaking hands
with others and giving and receiving objects from others.

They should never refuse refreshments like coffee and tea

They should not take photos of people without permission.

They should not express admiration of a Saudi's material possessions.