Culture in middle

east countries.
 Middle East Countries

• Middle East, the lands around the southern and

eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, extending
from Morocco to the Arabian Peninsula and Iran and, by
some definitions, sometimes beyond. The central part of
this general area was formerly called the Near East, a
name given to it by some of the first modern Western
geographers and historians, who tended to divide what
they called the Orient into three regions. Near East
applied to the region nearest Europe, extending from
the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf; Middle East,
from the Persian Gulf to Southeast Asia; and Far East,
those regions facing the Pacific Ocean.
Languages And
Religions
• Languages: The five top languages, in terms of
numbers of speakers, are Arabic, Persian, Turkish,
Kurdish, and Hebrew. Arabic and Hebrew represent
the Afro-Asiatic language family. Persian and Kurdish
belong to the Indo-European language family. Turkish
belongs to Turkic language family. About 20 minority
languages are also spoken in the Middle East.
• Religions: The Middle East is very diverse when it
comes to religions, many of which originated there.
Islam is the largest religion in the Middle East, but
other faiths that originated there, such as Judaism and
Christianity, are also well represented.
Dress Code for business
in the Middle East.

• For men, this is a long, flowing white garment called

a thobe, and a headdress called a ghutra. While foreign
men can choose to wear this as well, it’s certainly not
regulation.

• Traditional attire for women consists of a long black

robe called an abaya, a robe which covers the body,
head and face called a burqa, or a hijab, which is a
head scarf. Again, foreign women are not expected to
dress in the same way.

• However, for both men and women who come here,

there are certain guidelines to follow. Foreigners
should dress conservatively and modestly, showing
sensitivity to the culture of middle east people.
Business Culture in Middle
East Countries.
• Arabic culture has number of religious and traditional customs that influence
the way business is conducted.
• Timing is Key: One of the most basic but most easily overlooked details
about business in the Middle East is the different working week. Friday is the
holy day in Islam, and congregational prayers are held at noon. Many Arabic
countries have a weekend that runs Friday and Saturday, rather than Saturday
and Sunday. This small but often overlooked detail can make a big difference to
setting up meetings and doing business with Middle Eastern partners.
• Prayer time: Daily prayers are also important to many Islamic
businesspeople in the Middle East. Knowing when these prayer times occur is
not just beneficial for scheduling meetings but also for understanding that
punctuality can vary.
• Face to face business: Unlike the western world, it’s less common to do
business over the phone or email. Most Arab Businesspeople like to conduct
discussions and negotiations face to face.
• PUNCTUALITY: As a sign of respect, it’s recommended you show up
on time as a guest. However, don’t be surprised if your host runs late
for a meeting. This is neither rude not necessarily deliberate. Time
generally runs in a more relaxed fashion in most Arab nations. It’s
better to go with the flow and enjoy any refreshments provided while
you wait, then to let this distract or annoy you.

• SMALL TALK: Don’t be surprised if your host wishes to engage in

small talk. As there’s less divide between public and private life, you
might be expected to answer personal questions about your life,
travels, health, and the health and life of your family. Similarly, you can
ask questions yourself. This initial ice breaking conversation helps
create an atmosphere of trust in the meeting. Business will usually be
brought up after 5 minutes of small talk.

• INTERRUPTIONS AND HARD BARGAINS: During a business

meetings you can expect interruptions to take place. These might be in
the form of:
1.phone calls
2.checking emails on a computer or phone
3.walk ins asking questions of the host or looking for signatures
4.returns to small talk
Don’t necessarily expect there to be a strict agenda. Be ready to lean
into the Arabic way of doing things. Patience is key. It’s likely your host
will drive a hard bargain, and not rush into any snap decisions. Similarly,
the bureaucratic system when obtaining permits and visas can also be
frustrating. Try to remember this is all part of the culture. If the cost of
doing business is patience, see it as a virtue.
• SAVING FACE: Like many cultures around the world,
middle eastern business people don’t like to lose face in a
public setting. Where western businesses are more
comfortable disagreeing or pointing our errors, this can be
quite embarrassing for Arab business people. Exercise tact
and caution, and try to remain conversational in negotiations.
• A RICH VARIETY OF CUSTOMS: Crucially, it’s important
to note that the Middle East is not a homogenous culture.
Each region, country, company and individual has their own
way of doing things, so it’s important to be flexible when it
comes to doing business in the Middle East. Go with the flow,
be patient and don’t be too offended if a particular custom
irks your western sensibilities. The Middle East has been
engaged in trade for thousands of years. Being open to their
way of doing things can reap rich rewards down the line.
• GREETINGS: The customary greeting is “As-salam
alaikum,” (peace be upon you) to which the reply is “Wa
alaikum assalam,” (and upon you be peace). When entering a
meeting, general introductions will begin with a hand shake.
You should greet each of your Middle East counterparts
individually. In line with Muslim customs, avoid shaking hands
with a woman unless they extend their hand first.
• BUSINESS CARD: Business cards are common, but not
essential to the Middle East business culture. If you do intend
to use business cards whilst in the Middle East, ensure that
the information is printed in both English and Arabic.

Hospitality in Middle Eastern
societies
• Hospitality is a key aspect of
Arab culture, bound up with the
honor and respect of your family.
Be ready, therefore, to have
refreshments, gifts, and invitations
loaded upon you, and know that it
is part of the culture and
completely normal.
• You will likely be offered some
sort of refreshment during a
meeting, be it tea, coffee, juice,
biscuits, or dates, to name a few
common examples.
• Your host may invite you to a
restaurant meal. It is good practice
to return the invitation. It is usual
for the person who does the
inviting to pay the bill. If for any
reason the group is going to split
the bill, it is better that one person
pays and is reimbursed by the
others in private, rather than the
accounting being done in public at
the table.
Gift Giving Etiquette in
the Middle East
• The giving and receiving of gifts is an important part of
professional and personal life in the Middle East.
• The most frequently given gifts are edibles such as pastries,
chocolates, sweets and cookies. Dates are also commonly given
as gifts.

• If you are visiting the region for business, it is always a good

idea to take some gifts with you. People really value food items,
crafts and arts from different cultures.

• There are some things you should avoid when giving gifts. For
one, remember you cannot give any food product which contains
pork or pork by-products such as gelatin. Any meat and meat
ingredients need to be marked as ‘halal’.

• Alcohol of course for most people is a no-no, in many places

being illegal or controlled. According to Sharia law, Muslim men
cannot wear silk or gold, although this does not apply to women.
 BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

1 2 3 4 5

Don’t expect a one-on-

Business occurs Accept an invitation to Address your Middle one meeting to only Don’t ask about a
more slowly in the a meal or social event. East counterparts include yourself and the person’s wife or
Middle East than in Relationships are an with the appropriate other person. Often daughters. It is polite to
many Western integral part of doing titles followed by his there will be other
business in the Middle or her first name. If people present in the enquire about a
cultures. Patience office or meeting room person’s family or
East. Spending time unsure, it is best to
and flexibility are, waiting their turn to health, but never ask
with your Middle East get the names and
therefore, key when counterparts is the correct form of meet with that person. specifically about any
doing business in best way to build trust address of those you When you arrive, it is female members.
the Middle East. will be doing business polite to greet the Family life which
and mutual
person, take a seat and
understanding. with before-hand. accept any coffee involves female
served until it is your members is kept
turn. extremely private.
 114- Ajay Nair

124- Bhagyashree Patil

134- Jitesh Nair

Team
Members: 144- Owais Kadiri

154- Reuben Babu

164- Shahbaaz Shaikh

174- Surabhi Khare

THANK YOU!