Customs and etiquette in Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arabic: مم ا ل عربي م م ا ل ا ل) is simply referred to as Saudi Arabia, which is the leading country in the Arab world. The Arabian Peninsula, located in southwestern Asia, covers an area of 2.14 million square kilometers, accounting for 75% of the peninsula's total area, and more than half of it is barren and desolate deserts. The coastline is 2,509,57 kilometers long. The largest desert is the Rub Khali Desert, covering an area of 650,000 square kilometers. Most of the country has a tropical desert climate, so it is known as the "Desert Country".
Saudi Arabia is rich in oil resources, with the largest reserves in the world, and its output ranks among the top in the world. It is the world's largest oil exporter and is known as the "Oil Kingdom" and the "Desert Super Rich Country." For example, in 1981, the country exported 450 million tons of oil, accounting for about one-third of the world's total oil exports that year.
has never conducted a formal census in Saudi Arabia, and it relies on estimates, so the numbers vary greatly. Its border nomadic tribes often travel to and from neighboring countries, making it difficult to determine their country. There are currently 28.38 million people (2013 statistics), the vast majority of whom are Arabs, and nomadic tribes call them Bedouin.
Islam is its state religion. The Koran of Islam is the basis of the law. There is no written law or legislative body. The royal family controls the country's political, economic and military power. The official language is Arabic, and important figures in the company usually speak English. Currency: Riyal. The capital, Riyadh, the seat of the royal family and government, also known as the Royal Capital, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.
The Saudis do not use the solar calendar, but use the Islamic solar calendar. The era starts from the year when Mohammed, the founder of Islam, died (approximately 662 AD). Saudis particularly advocate white (purity) and green (life), but avoid yellow (death). The king wears a khaki robe, symbolizing holiness and dignity. Ordinary people cannot "wear royal robes". The color and pattern of the Saudi flag prominently indicate the religious beliefs of the country. Green is an auspicious color for Muslim countries.
When Saudis hold your hand while walking on the road, don 't pull your hand back. Holding your hand is a friendly gesture. Saudis have very particular etiquette in greeting. When meeting, they first greet each other and say: "Salam, Arakum"(hello), then shake hands and say "Kaiif Halak"(in good health). Some Saudis will put their left hand on your right shoulder and kiss you on both cheeks. The Saudis are also very generous. Don't stare at his watch, shirt chain buttons or other things, otherwise he will take them off and give them to you on the spot. If you refuse, you will offend him.
Due to cultural and geographical location, their customs and habits across Saudi Arabia have many things in common. If you want to successfully do a good job in trade in Saudi Arabia, you must understand that the country strictly implements the unity of religion and religion, especially some customs and regulations of Islam. Otherwise, it may cause a lot of inconvenience to your work and even cause trade activities to fail.
For example, if frozen chickens are exported to the country, they cannot be slaughtered mechanically, let alone have blood stains, and may be returned. The reason is not that the goods are poor, but that the seller's processing method of the chickens violates the provisions of the Koran: they can only be slaughtered manually, not machines. Men are only allowed to slaughter, women are not allowed to do it. The chicken body and packaging must not have any blood, otherwise it will be considered unlucky.
The location of the
is in accordance with Saudis 'business etiquette and customs. Conservative suits should be worn in winter. Meetings must be made in advance, but like other Arab countries, meetings are lax and unpunctual. Therefore, even if you go to visit at the appointed time, it is still best to leave some room in the schedule. It is common for the other person to arrive 15 to 30 minutes late. Depending on the type of company, working hours vary widely, and many companies work at night. It is best to ask each other to negotiate individually at a coffee shop.
When negotiating business, Saudi personnel are often interrupted by people coming and going. Arabs regard this as an extension of "family" and do not regard it as disrespectful. In this case, one is to wait patiently, and the other is to make an appointment to negotiate separately outside. The Saudis still distrust negotiators and always demand direct negotiations with manufacturers. The law limits that businesses in the country must be run by local businessmen. Saudi businessmen always import and export, and retailers handle a wide variety of goods. Saudi businessmen often import and export a variety of commodities and are good at bargaining. Talking business requires care and patience.
Saudi arabians in general outside to shake hands with greetings for the ceremony. If both parties (referring to men) share the same faith or are relatively friendly, both parties face each other three times. Sometimes, to show kindness, the owner will use his left hand to hold the other person's right hand and walk and talk. When exchanging goods, use your right hand or both hands, avoid using your left hand. According to Muslim custom, the country regards cattle and sheep as the top grade, avoids eating pork, seafood with shells and scaleless fish, and does not carry blood in meat. In the past, Arabs used to use right-handed rice, but now they often use Western utensils to entertain guests.
If you can bring small gifts, such as candies, handicrafts, etc., when you are invited to your host's house, don't give alcoholic gifts, don't give gifts to the hostess alone, and don't give anything to a married woman. Avoid sending pictures of women and sculptures with women's images. Horse riding and hunting supplies are very useful in Saudi Arabia, so it would be very popular to send January falcons to the "real men" of this patriarchal country. Giving gifts to Arabs for the first time may be considered a bribe. Don't give them used things.
in Saudi Arabia. There are no alcohol, movies, or nightclubs. Although cigarettes are sold in the market, they cannot smoke in public places, on the streets or at host banquets. There is no local habit of smoking. Take off your shoes when you arrive at your host's house, unless the host asks you not to take them off. Don't enter the mosque casually, you must take off your shoes before entering the mosque. Avoid facing people with your soles and heels, and avoid stepping on tables, chairs and benches, because this is considered an insult.
In general meetings and banquets, only men are often held, and women have no social status. Saudi women have always maintained the traditional habits of Islam, do not come into contact with strange men, and wear black robes and veils when going out for activities. The marriage of young men and women is decided by their parents. In fact, most of the women you may see in Saudi Arabia are workers from neighboring countries (Egypt, Yemen, Lebanon).
The Saudi government has also issued this decree prohibiting men from marrying women from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar and Chad. Marrying women from other countries also requires strict censorship. Must be 25 years old or older, have a permit document issued by the mayor, and submit family member identification.
is in Saudi Arabia. Special attention should be paid to not taking photos of the religious process in Saudi Arabia, let alone taking photos of women, which may bring you death. Moreover, Saudi Arabia has strict precepts. Thieves chop off their hands, and women are stoned to death for adultery. Asking about their wives 'recent situation and hobbies is strictly prohibited. Celebrating Holy Saliva Day, making Christmas trees and women's cars are all taboo in Saudi Arabia.
If a Saudi car driver speeds, he will be imprisoned for one month and will be punished with an 80-point whip. Drunk driving is punishable by one month in prison. As a result, Saudi Arabia has almost no crime. Moreover, Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that does not allow women to drive vehicles. On September 26, 2017 local time, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the king's order to allow domestic women to obtain driver's licenses and drive from June 2018.
To visit Saudi Arabia, it is best to go from November to March of the following year. The weather is better and the nights are very cold. It is too hot and humid from April to October every year, with short working hours and many holidays. From March to June 30, there are many pilgrimages to Mecca, and the hostels in Jeddah are full. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter Mecca and Medina.
Saudi Arabia prohibits the posting of all idols, such as statues of figures in handicrafts, children's toys, etc. Because idolatry runs counter to the precepts of Islam. At customs, the inspection of goods entering and exiting people is very strict, and even the perfume worn by women must be smelled twice, lest it be alcohol.
They believe that all stimulation of the human body's senses is a manifestation of depravity and the beginning of crime. Therefore, alcohol prohibition has become a strict law in Saudi Arabia. If caught, drinkers are subject to 80 lashes in public or imprisonment for six months to one year, and fined. Anyone who buys alcohol, makes moonshine or drives after drinking will be punished with severe penalties, including beheading for public display. In Saudi Arabia, all restaurants and restaurants do not serve alcoholic beverages. Only various non-alcoholic "beer" and "champagne" are provided to customers.
There are also two major religious festivals in Saudi Arabia every year, namely Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr is closed for seven days, and Eid al-Adha lasts for two weeks. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar every year. During the 30 days of Ramadan, people are prohibited from drinking or eating from sunrise to sunset except for sick people, pregnant women, nursing women and people who embark on a journey before sunrise. Eid al-Adha falls on December 10 of the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Adha is also a day for hajj. From December 9 to 12, millions of Muslims from all over the world flocked to Saudi Arabia to make the hajj in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.