UAE Customs & Etiquette Sheet

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Al Imarat al Arabiyah al

Country Overview:

• Location: Middle east, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
• Size: 83,600 sq. km.
• Population: 9,346,000 (July 2014 est.)
• Capital: Abu Dhabi
• Export-commodities: crude oil 45%, natural gas, re-exports, dried fish, dates
• Import-commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food
• Religion: Muslim 76% (Shia 15%, Sunni 85%), Christian 9%, Other, 15%.
• Ethnic groups: Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8%
• Government type: federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates
• Chief of State: President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nahyan (since Nov. 2004)
• Head of Government: Prime Minis- ter and Vice President MUHAM- MAD bin Rashid Al-Maktum (since Jan. 2006)
• Language: Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Meetings & Negotiations

• Be punctual, and confirm date and time prior to meeting.
• When addressing your Emirati business partner you may find names to be confusing, so it is best to use their names in English. Be sure to know full names and the appropriate way to address them (including title).
• A customary greeting is salaam alaikum ‘əs-sə-läm-ə-lī-kum’ [peace be upon you] . Shaking hands and saying alaikum as-salam [and upon you be peace] comes next.
• When greeting shake hands with the most senior person first. A more traditional greeting between men involves grasping each other’s right hand, placing the left hand on the other’s right shoulder and exchanging kisses on each cheek. A business woman should wait for the man to initiate the greeting.
• Carry multiple business cards because they will be exchanged often.

Business Attire

• Emiratis are very conservative regarding wardrobe; the chest, shoulders, stomach, calves, and thighs should be covered.
• Men wear a long sleeve jacket and shirt with a collar, tie and pants. Avoid wearing jewelry; specifically around the neck.
• Women dress modestly with loose clothing.

Behavior

• Alcohol and pork are not consumed by those that observe the Muslim religion.
• The left hand is considered unclean and used for hygiene purposes; avoid using it to eat, hand or touch things.
• The thumbs up hand gesture is considered offensive.
• Avoid crossing your legs while sitting or showing the bottoms of your feet!
• Whenever two men arrive at a doorway , the one on the right always enters first, regardless of respective rank.

Gift Giving

• When giving a gift use discretion
• and modesty.
• Emirati’s greatly appreciate a gift that is of good quality and make. 
• The gift will be opened in private by the receiver.
• Appropriate Gifts: Perfume/cologne (not for an Egyptian), or food items from your country
• Gifts to Avoid: Alcohol, perfumes containing alcohol, pigskin products, personal items, sharp objects, toy dogs or gifts of pictures of dogs

Conversation

• The majority of Emiratis speak Arabic, but within international business companies there should be an English speaker on staff.
• An Emirati may want to discuss controversial topics, such as religion and politics. Give your opinion, but always let them have time for rebuttal.
• Conversation and debate should not be a win or lose situation, but instead an exchange of ideas and learning for both parties.
• Intelligent argument is admired and welcome, but only when it is courteous and reasoned.
• At a meeting, the person who asks the most questions is likely to be the least important. The decision maker is likely a silent observer.
• Do not feel obligated to speak during a moment of silence. Loud speech and raucous laughter are considered vulgar.
• Topics to Discuss: Sports, international politics, religion
• Topics to Avoid: Women (even when regarding female family members), Israel

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