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Chapter 8
How to Give and Receive Gifts You’ll find that giving and receiving gifts is an important part of Emirati culture. Be wary of the circumstances in which you give a gift; offering one to a boss or superior without due cause may look as if you are trying to bribe them. Different Arab nationalities prefer different gifts, on top of personal preferences; a little bit of research can go a long way! A general rule of thumb is to always buy the best quality gift within your budget, from a reputable brand – and local is good, too! A well-received gift is traditional perfume, which is as much a status symbol in the UAE, though this should only be gifted to men as it may be considered an insult for a man to proffer it to a woman. Incense is also popular, such as oud, but again be sure to pay special attention to the quality of the product. Chocolate is always a popular choice, as are traditional sweets such as baklava. It is common for someone celebrating (a wedding, birth, purchase of a new home or car and so on) to bring in treats to share with their colleagues.
The United Arab Emirates A Rooted Business Culture
It is the host’s place to set the topic of conversation.
How to Address Someone While it may be fine to call someone by their first name in the West, it is best to start out relationship by using last names, with a title affixed. There is no equivalent to Mr. or Ms., however Sayed or Sayeda, followed by the first name (for example, Sayed Mohammed) will suffice. An alternative is the use of the Kunya, or a teknonym; Abu for men, or Umm for women, which literally means ‘father/ mother of’. This will usually be followed by the eldest son’s name (for example, Abu Khalifa, or Umm Hussain). Royal family members should be addressed as in the West, using ‘His/Her/Your Highness’ Samu al-Emir, in Arabic, and Ministers and Ambassadors should be ‘Excellency’. Other titles that can be used are Doctor, Shaikh (meaning ‘chief’; use Shaikha for women), Mohendes (meaning ‘engineer’), or Ustadh (meaning ‘professor’). Don’t be surprised if colleagues working under you call you Shaikh, as it is a sign of respect and an acknowledgement that you are in charge. Shaikh may also be used in the same manner as ‘Sir’ (as in knighthood) is used in the United Kingdom – always followed by a first name only, e.g. Shaikh Ibrahim.
Conversations You’ve got your first meeting, or you’re about to go to a business lunch with new colleagues, acquaintances or potential business partners… but what do you talk about? Here are some guidelines to help you pick acceptable conversation topics – and to let you know what to avoid. A conversation will always begin with platitudes – these may go on for some time, and, in the case of two Arab nationals greeting one another, will likely be accompanied by kissing on the cheeks. Pleasantries such as inquiries into health, business and home country are more than acceptable, as is a handshake – bear in mind though that handshakes in the Middle East are far softer than those used in the West, so don’t just someone on the strength of their grip!
If you arrive and there are already guests in place, then you will be enlightened on the topic of conversation and asked to contribute to it. Remember to always be polite. Being forthcoming is fine, and a reasoned, intelligent argument is welcome – so long as it is presented in a courteous manner, and does not fall into quarrelling or bickering. Provoking feedback through your conversation will place you in good stead – so long as the feedback isn’t the result of angered emotions. Do not be afraid to disagree with an opinion, bearing in mind the abovementioned points, as the object of raising controversial subjects is to spark a debate that isn’t for winning, but for enlightening one another to views which may not otherwise be known. It’s considered more valuable to have a conversation in which all parties involved learn something.
What not to give: jewelry, silk garments (for men; both are considered effeminate items and should only be gifted to women), alcohol, pork or pig products, overly personal items, images containing nudity – even artistic forms. When receiving a gift, it is impolite to refuse. Common courtesy applies; show appreciation for the giver having gone out of their way to find something for you.
Why UAE ?
The Unlimited Opportunities 2012
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