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Cultural Standards of the Arab World

المعايير الثقافية للعالم العربي

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:

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Definition Arab World

3 different criteria:

- Arabic language (linguistic criterion)

- Islam (religious criterion)

- Arab League (political criterion)

Most accepted definition:

Arab World = Arab League

≠ Middle East

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Power Distance (PDI)

The extent to which the less powerful members of

institutions and organisations within a country

expect and accept that power is distributed

inequally

Arabs accept hierarchical orders

Patriarchal tradition of Arab families

Subordinates expect to be told what to do

Hofstede

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Hofstede

Individualism (IDV)

The degree of interdependence a society maintains

among its members ( „I“ vs. „We“ )

Collectivistic society

Loyalty (more to the manager than to the organisational

rules)

Hiring of family members is quite popular

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Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI)

The extent to which the members of a culture feel

threatened by ambiguous or unknown situations

High preference for avoiding uncertainty

Security is important

Strong need for rules

Hofstede

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Hall

Communication

High context communication (metaphors, comparisons, etc)

Use of Nonverbal signals

Yes means maybe; maybe means no; the word no is not used

Time

Polychrome

Many tasks are handled simultaneously

Time is not that important

Appointment time is flexible

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Hall

Space

Arabs stand and sit closer and

touch people of the same sex

more often than Westerners do.

Arabs have a different

concept of public and

private space,

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Proxemics

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Family

Authority

Hospitality

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Communication

Communication is rather slow. Don‘t feel obligated to speak during periods of silence.

Indirect communication style Save Face

Don‘t discuss the subject of women. The topic of Israel should be avoided as well. Sports, however, is mostly an appropriate topic.

X X

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Behaviour

Gesture and eat with the right hand (Keep it in mind while receiving the business card).

Don‘t cross your legs while sitting Showing the bottom of

your shoe or foot is considered as offensive.

The "thumbs up" gesture could be seen as offensive as well.

X X

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Business Etiquette

Appearance

Visitors are expected to abide by local standards of modesty. They

shouldn‘t adopt native clothing though.

The body must always remain covered regardless of high

tempearture.

Appearence at business meetings (Men):

A jacket and tie are usually required for men.

It is equally well-seen if men wear long pants and a shirt that is both

long-sleeved and buttoned up to the collar.

What men should avert is wearing

jewelry, especially around the neck.

X

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Business Etiquette

Appearence at business meetings (Women):

Women should pay attention to dress modest in public. Plunging necklines and short sleevesare not desired.

Pants or pant suits are not recommended for women.

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Business Etiquette

Meetings

Arabs often arrive late, whereas Germans are expected to be on time.

Meetings are often interrupted by phone calls and visits from friends and family.

Titel is very important:

e.g. Mr. Ahmed or Dr. Mohamed

Using the first name is common in business encounters

A customary greeting is "salam alaikum". Shaking hands follows.

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Good Idea or not?

1) As a woman, you should avoid close contact to your male business partner. So, the best thing to do for welcoming your partner is offering him your hand for a following handshake.

2) Due to the high temperatures in the Arab World, Arab people like to use perfume. So, with bringing them a sample of the new Chanel or Boss fragance, you receive great sympathy right from the beginning.

3) Arab people love to receive compliments about their personal items. So, if you see that your Arab partner has for instance a nice necklace or pen, don‘t hesistate to show your admiration.

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Conclusion

or how to act while visiting the Arab World

Show interest in the person, the country and its

culture!

Adapt to the cultural standards while visiting the

country!

Be patient about the different style of communication!

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Any Questions?

Thank you for your attention!

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www.planetplanit.biz/business-etiquette-in-the-middle-east/

Harris,P.;Moran, R.: Managing cultural differences, 4.edition, Houston: Golf

publishing company, 1996

Hofstede,Geert: Culture‘s Consequences, London: Sage Publications, 1984

Lustig,M.; Koester,J.: Intercultural Competence, 2.edition, New York:

HarperCollins College Publishers, 1996

www.oppapers.com/essays/Arabs-1/649211

karrierebibel.de/al-hamdu-lillah-business-knigge-fuer-die-arabische-welt/

www.cyborlink.com/besite/uae.htm

www.cross-cultures.de/pdf/Business_Etiquette_Arab_web.pdf

www.worldbusinessculture.com/Business-in-UAE.html

www.ardisson.org/smokey/mal/intro.pdf

geert-hofstede.com/arab-world-egiqkwlblysa.html

middleeast.about.com/od/middleeast101/tp/me080120.htm

Sources