This document provides guidance for business visitors to Saudi Arabia on cultural customs and norms. It advises avoiding discussions of religion, politics, or sensitive social issues. Religious and cultural values are deeply held in Saudi Arabia. Visitors should respect local traditions, such as prohibitions against public displays of affection, mixing between genders, and immodest dress. Business meetings may have interruptions and disagreement is addressed indirectly rather than directly. Punctuality for appointments varies and visitors should not expect transparency in business dealings.

1. VISITING SAUDI ARABIA ON A BUSINESS TOUR!!!
WOW!!!
IT IS HIGH TIME TO KNOW “WHAT
TO DO” AND “WHAT NOT TO DO” IN
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
APPLICABLE TO ALL EMPLOYEES / PERSONNEL, VISITING TO SAUDI ARABIA ON
BUSINESS TOUR

2. CAPTCHA
Indeed, there are a number of issues one needs to consider when thinking of the
dos and don’ts in countries around the world.
First, try to avoid making judgments based on your own society. Second,
remember that criticizing or complaining about the way people do things in their
country is unlikely to be well-received.
As a guest of the country, you should do your best to understand and respect it
at all times. Third, you are the one who should attempt to adapt to the host
society, not vice versa.

3. DO NOT SPEAK ABOUT RELIGION
In Saudi Arabia, religious and cultural issues are regarded as unquestionable
values, as Saudis are underpinned by their fervent belief in the tenets of Islam
and strongly value their cultural customs. The line between spiritual, professional
and private life is blurry in the Kingdom. This requires people to be careful and
aware of what they may and may not do in the heartland of the Arab world,
especially with regard to religious, cultural and social matters and issues related
to the workplace.

4. NEVER EVER TALK ABOUT ISLAM OR MUSLIMS
As a rule of thumb, Saudis are thrilled when asked questions on religious issues
by someone whose aim is to learn more about them. If a person tries to
acquaint himself with why practices are done in certain ways, he will be made far
more welcome. However, if he discusses these issues with a Saudi counterpart
merely to criticize or compare them with other religions, or if concerns arise
from malice rather than ignorance, he will not be welcome and will only be
tolerated. For instance, if one probes about the issue of marrying more than one
wife or drinking alcohol or women driving, this might be considered offensive,
and as a result, one should avoid asking about matters of such nature.

5. DO NOT CONFRONT AT WORKPLACE, BE MOST POLITE &
POLITICAL
In the business world in Saudi Arabia, confrontation in the workplace is not appreciated.
As a result, Saudis tend to solve their work-related problems indirectly with the
employee involved. When a colleague happens to be in disagreement with a coworker
over work-related issues, he will either avoid him or deal with him in a distant manner.
Thus, privately working out work-related problems with close colleagues is the preferred
and commonly practiced manner in the Saudi corporate world. Transparent procedures
or Western-style checks and balances should not be expected. It is common for
business meetings to have frequent interruptions; it is also common knowledge that
during business meetings, loud and aggressive discourse denotes engagement and
interest, not anger or hostility.

6. KNOW THE SOCIAL PRACTICE / ETIQUETTES
Several social practices should be avoided, as they offend Saudis. Behavior
in public is subject to inflexible rules, including not using the left hand for
drinking and eating, not showing the soles of one’s shoes or feet, and
rejecting refreshment whenever it is offered, and invitations as well.
Other crucial issues one should be aware of in order to conduct oneself
appropriately and not to cause offense within Saudi society are not
showing a public display of affection, not mingling with the opposite sex,
and not dressing immodestly.

7. NEVER TALK ON ANY POLITICAL ISSUE
The Arab-Israeli conflict is a topic that one should not discuss with Saudi hosts
due to its complication and delicate nature. This is simply because the Western
or other nations’ perspectives may sound well thought out, but from a Saudi
point of view, they are considered ill-informed or even offensive. Overall, politics
is not a favorite subject among Saudis. As such, politics-related topics are very
touchy and should be dealt with carefully, or better yet, avoided altogether.

8. MUST REMEMBER THAT…
 Meetings are arranged for by a Saudi contact person; an experienced contact
person is vital for business success so make sure you choose the right one
(you are not allowed to switch!)
 Appointments are arranged for between prayer times; often specific starting
times are not set. You may check the local newspapers for the prayer times
(they vary with the season of the year) and do not expect to keep more than
one appointment a day
 It is standard to keep supplicants, including foreign business people, waiting.
Be in time and do not get annoyed when the meeting is often interrupted

9. MUST REMEMBER THAT…
 Coffee will be served at the end of a meeting; another signal for rounding up
is incense
 The Saudi have their own ways of doing business and awarding contracts;
don't expect any transparent procedure or western-style checks and balances
 Do not bring any alcohol, pork meat or pornographic material into Saudi-
Arabia, and refrain from any criticism on Islam or the Royal Family; this is
prohibited. The display of any non-Islamic religious symbol (such as a cross) is
not recommended.

10. MUST REMEMBER THAT…
 Genders are separated in any public activity; do not provoke these traditions
by any controversial behavior
 Saudis speak at close distance to their conversation partners and touching is
normal (between the same gender; NB homosexual behavior is illegal)
 Obey to the Saudi dress code (cover arms and legs), but don't wear any local
clothing.
 Hosting visitors is a virtue among Saudis; be prepared to take off your shoes
and never eat with your left hand