BUSINESS CULTURE IN

SAUDI ARABIA
Barascu Alexandru -

Elisa Rengelink - Andrei Alexandra

Saudi Arabia
Muslim Country
Located on the Middle East continent
25,731,776 inhabitants
1,960,582 square kilometers

Dress and punctuality and formality

"scarf"
(ghoutrah)

black headband (egaal)

National "thob"

The white ghoutrah is

typically worn with the
white thobe in summer
while a red "shimagh"
goes with the thicker
darker thobe in winter.

the "abaya", an overall coat trimmed

with gold is worn on top of the thobe
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Islamic law states that men must not expose the thighs, knees and
calves.
Avoid wearing any visible jewelry, especially a neck chain with a cross.

Western Attire

Traditional
Business Attire

1. Expats are not required to dress like Saudis.

2. It's expected from foreigner workers to dress conservatively for
work. Men and women dressed in shorts are not accepted by the
society despite the high temperature in summer.
3. Colleagues are often addressed by their first names.
4. "Abu..... means "the father of (Abu Khalid, Abu Hashim, Abu
Mazen etc..) and indicates more familiar and respectful
relationship.If you address to a men/women who hold a doctorate
degree you address with Dr. (followed by the first name)
5. Inshallah is Arabic for "God willing" or "if Allah wills"

Punctuality is valued especially

by bosses, but a 5 minute delay
may not be regarded by the
employee as being
unpunctual.

Decision making in the workplace

Saudi Arabia is a very strict country, with an extremely high level of power
distance, which means that in a business the boss will take every decision.
People from Saudi Arabia accept a hierarchical order in which everybody has a place
and which needs no further justification.
Moreover, the subordinates expect to be told what to do and they do not show initiative.
If they want answers or they have a problem, they will go to their supervisior.

Qualities of a supervisor or a manager

Good communication and being social
Tactless
Respect
At least a college degree
Persuasive management style

Relationship-building
Creating good relationships may be harder to achieve in Saudi Arabia than in other
countries because of the cultural differences.
If you want to deepen your relationship with the Saudi market and businesspeople, you
need to conform to the Saudi social and business culture, which can differ remarkably
from Western norms.
You have to keep in mind that:
Saudi businesspeople pray five times a day; whatever business activities you are
engaged in with Saudi businesspeople will be interrupted by them.
During the month of Ramadan businesses slow down noticeably. While Westerners are
not expected to fast during Ramadan, they should refrain from eating in public and in
the presence of those who are fasting.

 Saudi businessmen do not discuss hard details of business deals immediately in a meeting;
instead, they first chitchat and inquire about the each other's welfare.
They should never flatly refuse refreshments like coffee, tea and dates; they should at least
accept the first round of offerings.

Western businesspeople should use their right hand when shaking hands with others and giving
and receiving objects from others.
Saudi businessmen are comfortable standing very close to the men they are talking with, often
encroaching upon what is considered personal space by Western standards.
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.

Socialising
Business in Saudi Arabia is
personal. It is impossible to
finalize agreements without
face-to-face contact.

Conclusion
- Video