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Do’s and Don’t
 

Do’s

• Ladies should always present a modest appearance, keeping upper arms and shoulders covered.

• Deliver criticism sensitively and indirectly. If you need to correct someone, take an indirect approach to the comment and include praise of any of their good points.

• Respect people’s religious beliefs and make accommodations to allow people to observe religious rituals of prayer, fasting and dietary choices.

• Keep body distance between you and others.

Don’t

• Don’t shake hands with women if you are a man and with men if you are a woman.

• Never call anyone with a “come here” motion of your finger as this may offend him.

• Avoid the topics of middle east politics and religion.

• Avoid indulging in loud conversation or boisterous laughter.

• Do not openly discuss anything of a sexual nature, especially around members of the opposite gender.

• Do not presume that Saudis are ‘closed off’ to the West or lack international awareness. Many Saudis are exposed to different lifestyles and cultural ideas (such as western pop culture) through the internet, international study, trade and travel. You can expect an urban, educated Saudi to be familiar with other cultural backgrounds and global influences.

• Avoid mentioning issues relating to women’s rights, or drawing presumptions about a Saudi woman’s freedom or happiness on the basis of her hijab, abaya or niqab. Wearing a hijab is a woman’s personal decision and does not necessarily indicate that she holds conservative ideologies or is oppressed.

• Don’t Shushing participants.

• No dating/romantic examples.