Business Etiquette

People doing business in the Kingdom must understand Saudi etiquette as well as their personal demeanor. Preparation and a basic understanding of Saudi business culture can mean the difference between a successful and unsuccessful negotiation.

Some Saudi business executives and government officials may be hesitant to schedule meetings until their visitors arrive in the Kingdom. Visitors on business should notify their Saudi hosts of their travel plans and itinerary. Religious holidays such as Ramadan and Hajj, as well as daily prayer breaks, should be taken into account when scheduling business meetings.

Without such a face-to-face meeting, Saudi businesses are unlikely to finalize any serious negotiations, as doing business in the Kingdom is still mostly personal. As a sign of respect for the person with whom you are meeting, proper attire is required for business meetings. Conservative business attire is advised. Business cards are usually printed on one side in English and the other in Arabic. Meetings are conducted at a leisurely pace, with participants engaging in friendly conversation over coffee and tea.

Before signing any agreements or contracts, Saudi business executives prefer to feel at ease with their business partners. This may entail a series of preliminary meetings during which no substantive business is discussed. These gatherings, however, can be just as important as serious business negotiations. Because such business appointments are frequently lengthy, adequate time should be set aside for them.