Business etiquette, language & culture Page 1 of 11 Business etiquette, language & culture The UAE has a diverse and multi-cultural society taking into consideration that 80% of the UAE population are expatriates. This has meant that the UAE is regarded as relatively liberal within the region and provides schools, cultural centres and restaurants that cater for international cultures. The national culture mainly revolves around the religion of Islam, although other religions are also respected whereby churches and temples can be found alongside mosques. The Islamic dress code is not compulsory.Most UAE national (Emiratis) males prefer to wear a kandura, an ankle-length white shirt and most Emirati women wear an abaya, a black over garment covering most part of the body. This attire is particularly well suited for the UAE’s hot and dry climate. Western style clothing is, however, dominant due to the large expatriate population and this practice is beginning to grow in popularity among Emiratis. More information can be found on the FCO Travel Advice Centre: www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad Business etiquette Language Arabic is the most commonly spoken language, followed by English, French, Russian, Hindi and more. Almost all official documents, forms, laws and decrees are in Arabic. Therefore, it helps to have a working knowledge of the language. Whilst it is preferable for written correspondence to be in English, Arabic is sometimes preferred within some public-sector organisations. Translators are available, and a list can be obtained from the British Embassy, See the ‘Contacts’ section for more details. Meetings and presentations Personal relationships are key to doing business in the UAE. UK exporters are encouraged to have a face-to-face business dialogue with their UAE counterparts. It is essential to obtain legal, financial and taxation advice, along with undertaking necessary research, all of which are critical when considering new markets. As in other countries, more than anything it is important to target the right person in your contacts, the decision-maker. It is also preferable to establish new business contacts via an introduction by mutual contact, exhibitions, networking receptions or through the Embassy in the form of an Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS). Through an OMIS, the Embassy in the UAE can provide a programme-arranging Copyright © 2013 IMA Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Generated from http://mobile.uae.doingbusinessguide.co.uk/the-guide/business-etiquette,-language- culture/ Saturday, October 02, 2021 Business etiquette, language & culture Page 2 of 11 service, whereby your company would be introduced to the most appropriate contact and an appointment can be confirmed on your behalf. Face-to-face meetings are preferred as phone or emails are sometimes seen as impersonal. Appointments should be made no more than two weeks in advance and confirmed a few days before the actual meeting as priorities may change. The working week within the private sector is Sunday-Thursday from 9am-5pm and within the public sector Saturday-Wednesday from 8am-2.30pm (some offices are open until 4pm). There are many exhibitions that take place in the UAE with some of the largest regional events held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This is a good opportunity for companies to meet potential partners, distributors and clients. Negotiations Personal contact with potential and existing partners/clients and regular visits to the market are of the utmost importance and it is natural for the business relationship to be built with time. It is advised that you consult a lawyer prior to signing an agreement in the UAE. A list of lawyers is available from the British Embassy. See the ‘Contacts’ section for details. Cultural considerations Bridging the divide between cultures is based upon understanding the perspectives of each other. It is not a matter of who is right or wrong, but respecting each-others’ beliefs and way of life. The emirates are a considerably modern country in relation to the rest of the Middle East region. As such, many traditional attitudes and business practices are evolving towards a more westernised approach. Nevertheless, it is still important to be aware and respectful of some of the differences that might exist. Understanding the unwritten rules to gain the competitive edge The working week traditionally starts on Sunday and ends on Thursday. Friday and Saturday are the official days of rest, though in some cases, people will work Saturday. Meetings should be scheduled in advance with extra time allocated in case it should go on longer or start later than anticipated. The customary greeting is “As-salam alaikum," (peace be upon you) to which the reply is "Wa alaikum as-salam,” (and upon you be peace). When entering a meeting, general introductions will begin with a handshake. You should greet each of your Emirati counterparts individually. Avoid shaking hands with a woman unless they extend their hand }401rst. When you are in the UAE, especially on business, coffee, as well as tea, will often be offered to you in offices and at Arab's homes. Offering coffee is symbolic of hospitality. Copyright © 2013 IMA Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Generated from http://mobile.uae.doingbusinessguide.co.uk/the-guide/business-etiquette,-language- culture/ Saturday, October 02, 2021 Business etiquette, language & culture Page 3 of 11 Dos and don’ts The UAE is a Muslim country and the laws and customs are very different from those in the UK. You should respect local traditions, customs and laws at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. Please visit: www.ukinuae.fco.gov.uk for more information. As with any other country, there are certain rules and regulations that must be adhered to in the UAE too, in order to ensure a safe, secular and respectful environment for all. Here’s a checklist of essential dos and don’ts: Dress code Emirati men or Arab citizens from GCC states usually wear the traditional clothing of their native country. Many Muslim women cover their hair with a scarf and wear a long, black robe called the abaya. Drugs and alcohol The UAE adopts a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol – it is a punishable offence to drink, or to be drunk, in public. To purchase or consume alcohol in the privacy of their homes, residents can obtain a liquor licence. However, the licence will be applicable only in the emirate where it has been issued – a permit issued in Abu Dhabi, for example, is not valid in Dubai. Any alcohol consumption is illegal in Sharjah. The penalties for drug trafficking or smuggling are severe. The possession and/or import of even the smallest amount of drugs can result in a minimum prison sentence of four years. Medication Some prescribed and over-the-counter medicines that are available outside of the UAE are considered controlled substances within the emirates. It is best to procure a prescription or prior permission from the UAE’s Ministry of Health before travelling with any such medicine to the UAE. Failure to do this may lead to prosecution under UAE law. For more information and to view the list of controlled medication, visit the Ministry of Health’s website: www.moh.gov.ae Etiquette The UAE is very particular about public displays of affection and there have been several arrests for kissing in public. Sex outside of marriage is considered illegal and unmarried couples indulging in adultery risk prosecution, imprisonment and/or a fine and deportation. If an unmarried woman gives birth in the UAE and is brought to the attention of the authorities, she may face severe punishment – ranging from a refusal to issue a birth certificate to arrest and imprisonment. Cohabitation (including in hotels), cross-dressing and homosexual behaviour are also banned in the country. Copyright © 2013 IMA Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Generated from http://mobile.uae.doingbusinessguide.co.uk/the-guide/business-etiquette,-language- culture/ Saturday, October 02, 2021 Business etiquette, language & culture Page 4 of 11 It is imperative to avoid using obscene language or make rude gestures in public as offenders have, in the past, received six-month jail sentences for such acts. Some have also been deported. Censorship and photography Photography of certain government buildings is not permitted. It is advisable not to photograph people (especially women) without their permission. Do not take pictures of military sites. Avoid bringing any magazines, DVDs or books with pornographic content into the UAE. Certain international magazines and newspaper sold in the UAE are censored – all objectionable material is marked in black, while intimate scenes in films shown in UAE movie theatres are censored. Pets The UAE places no restrictions on bringing pets into the country. However, if an individual opts to rent an apartment, the confined space can prove to be a hassle for both the pet and its owner. Additionally, unfavourable climatic conditions make it difficult to leave pets outdoors. Research and decide on the choice of residence first before deciding to bring pets into the UAE. It is essential to micro-chip all dogs and cats before their arrival in the UAE. The vaccination card would need to display the micro-chipping details. If handwritten, it would need to be stamped by the veterinarian. Education With an influx of nationalities streaming into the UAE each year, catering to multicultural needs and requirements – especially in complex areas such as education – can be a mammoth task. However, the UAE does this with ease. Irrespective of whether an expatriate student is used to an O-level or A-level type of education or has had another educational background, schools in the emirates have courses to suit all.