Introduction
Culture refers to the way of life of people, from the most complex of cultural practices to the simple day to day way of doing things. People moving from one place to another are most likely to meet new cultures and a reconnaissance study of the same is important in preventing things like culture shocks or conflicts. Being an Islamic country, most of the do,s and dont,s in the United Arab Emirates are regulated by religion and have to be followed by everyone, citizens and visitors.
Greetings
Greetings take the form of a short and soft handshake, when you are introducing yourself and when parting ways, with women you should avoid physical contacts for courtesy and for religious reasons, It is advisable not to stretch your hand first, wait for your host to do it first.
- When the meetings are held in the office, you should first start by greeting the older, even if they are not your hosts, shake the hands of everybody when you go into a Majil.
- Greeting expressions are very elaborate, Gualaikum(Hello, “let peace be with you”) and it is answered Gualaikim Assalam (“ also be with you”), Kaifhalak (How are you) Sabaah al-kayr (Good morning), Massa al-kayr(Good Night) and Shukran( Thank you) people are addressed as Mister or Sheikh, to mean an expert of the Koran.
- You refer to members of the royal family and government officials using terms, Your highness and your excellency..
Meetings
- Meetings for the first time are opened with an informal talk on the trip, calmness is required and avoid impatient gestures before starting a business (Soriano, 2014, p378).
- Avoid political conversations, especially in the country’s diplomatic ties with America.
- Ask about the family in a general term, avoid specificity like the wife or children, engage on a positive aspect of the country, for example, modernity and the quality shops and malls (AlMazrouei, and Pech,2014, p46).
Body Language
- The left hand should not be used to hand over things or objects, as this hand is seen as impure, it is the one used in the washrooms.
- Crossing your legs or showing your shoe soles is considered arrogant, especially when seating before a high ranking person in society.
- Maintain a physical distance when in public, things like kissing should be avoided.
Business Meetings
- Meetings on business are mostly conducted in lunches and dinner , held in peoples houses, talks on business are started immediately after meals.
Gifts
- It is a common thing for people to offer gifts on their first contact or when closing a deal, gift products are difficult to decide upon but perfumes are mostly preferred for women.
- Giving tips is not common in the country, but it is allowed up to 5 percent in restaurants and parking lots.
Dressing
- Visitors should dress in the modest way possible, especially when touring conservative areas or places with public.
- Swimwear is allowed on the beaches and the pools.shorts and T- shirts are acceptable in most places except for worship centers that requires one to be on loose clothes that covers arms, legs and shoulders, women are asked to cover their heads when entering the mosques.
Meals and Drinks
- It is not accepted to take food with the left hand, is the right hand that is used to eat, if you do not want the food, you can pull the cup or plate close to you.
- Alcoholic beverages are available in bars and restaurants licensed to do so as well as Duty free shops, UAE, allows drinking of alcohol in public, but in a civilized way, one should not misbehave in public, hosting Muslim guests, one should not offer them pork or beverages that are alcoholic.
Gender Gap
- Women are treated as second class citizens, they are not allowed to marry unless with permission of a male guardian.
- A woman can only be married to one husband, whereas men can marry up to four women, with exclusive rights to divorce a woman, the wife can file for a divorce, but is required to refund the dowry, they can engage in work, but upon receiving a go ahead from the husband.
Conflict Resolution
- Disagreements are resolved through court proceedings or out of court settlements known as arbitrations
United Arab Emirates, and the UK differ in terms of culture, the UAE is a conservative country, whereas the UK is a liberal country, culture is the same for everybody unlike Britain where people are given the liberty to do what they want. Living in UAE can be challenging for newcomers, but very nice when one gets used to the system, there is the aspect of brotherhood and everyone is treated with dignity.
References
AlMazrouei, H., & J. Pech, R. (2014). Expatriates in the UAE: advance training eases cultural adjustments. Journal of Business Strategy, 35(3), 47-54.
Soriano, M. A. (2014). United Arab Emirates & Mexico: Do’s and dont’s in negotiation strategies,” A Mexican perspective”. The Business & Management Review, 5(1), 378
Walker, J., Butler, S., Schulte-Peevers, A., & Shearer, I. (2010). Oman, UAE & Arabian Peninsula. Lonely Planet.