Meeting & Greeting Etiquette

Handshakes are typically extended but steady. Use only your right hand, please. When people of the same gender are well acquainted, greetings frequently involve affectionate embraces and hugs. Arab men and women have the option of refusing to shake the hands of those of the other sex.

Many Muslim men and women follow this form of religion. It's not personal, so don't take it personally. Therefore, we advise males to wait to extend their hand until after a woman has extended hers. Similarly, if a man extends his hand to a woman and she declines, we advise using an alternative greeting that is frequently used in the Muslim world.

This gesture involves placing the right hand flat over the heart while giving a quick nod of the head and smiling. It is customary to greet the group's senior or oldest members first.