Saudi Arabia is definitely a country where doing research before you go is essential. Luckily, we have already done that for you! In addition to our presentation at the employee meeting today, please read the blog post below as a refresher of what to expect when you arrive in Saudi Arabia.
Remember that Islam governs all aspects of life. Mecca, the holy city of Islam, is located in Saudi Arabia. All Muslims around the world are supposed to pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime, but many go annually. All Muslims pray five times a day: at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. Please be very respectful of the Saudi Arabian’s Islamic faith during this time. Also, Friday is considered a holy day. Many businesses close on Thursday, making Thursday and Friday the weekend. Another important religious consideration to be aware of is the month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, the Saudi Arabians will fast from dusk till dawn, but expatriates are not required to do so. Businesses will operate during Ramadan, but Muslim employees are only allowed to work six hours a day so business will be slow during this period. Also, remember to be cautious because the Mutaween, religious policemen, patrol the streets and look for violators of Islamic law. Non-Muslim foreigners are not exempt from this law enforcement.
An important cultural difference to be aware of is how Saudis dress. Traditional business attire for men is a ghutra (headdress) and a thobe (white gown), and women are required to wear abayas (black gowns) at all times. Also, women are not allowed to drive. Women: be prepared to sit in the back seat while men (either taxi drivers or personal chauffeurs) drive you around. Work and social life are strictly divided by sex. The only time men and women mix is with their family members inside the family home.
Alcohol and pork are illegal in Saudi Arabia, so please do not import either when you travel there. Like we saw in “Outsourced,” the Saudi Arabians also consider the left hand to be unclean. Do not eat anything with your left hand because it will most likely offend them. Feet can also be offensive so keep them on the ground at all times. Try to avoid crossing your legs. Men: be prepared to see men holding hands or men trying to hold your hand because this is a sign of friendship in Saudi Arabia. Also, it is common for men to kiss on both cheeks when they greet each other. If you’re looking for some common ground, talk about sports—particularly soccer (football)! Definitely avoid conversing about Israel.
Doing business in Saudi Arabia will present challenges, but hopefully this will help everyone in their transition to working in a culture so different than ours.
Employees: We would like your feedback. What do you think will be the most challenging thing about working in Saudi Arabia? What are you looking forward to? Are you apprehensive about anything? Explain.
Thanks!
Edie, Nick, William, Jonathan, Ray
Team Saudi Arabia, 11:10
3 comments:
Saudi Arabia appears to have a culture very different from ours. The biggest challenge I anticipate is religion; it seems to dominate all aspects of personal and professional life, which is very different from our culture, where religion is kept very private. It seems as if Saudi Arabia is open to visitors, however, as long as we simply respect their culture. As long as our company's representatives remain conscientious of the cultural norms, our visit should be a successful one.
For me, the hardest part would be making sure that I obeyed Islamic Law at all times. The fact that foreigners are subject to it at all times mean they have to know it well enough to follow it. I would be fearful that I might break a law that is lesser known to foreigners without knowing it.
I feel the hardest part about going to Saudi Arabia would be the religious differences and the cultural differences to how women are treated. I also think dressing differently will be a challenge too. I would be very conscious about trying to not break any of the laws in Saudi Arabia and would not want to offend anyone by being to western.
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