Doing Business in Saudi Arabia - International Franchise Association

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Chapter 8: Business Travel
The website of the U.S. Commercial Service in Saudi Arabia has a special section on Saudi
Culture, Customs, and Business Etiquette. For more information, please visit our site at
www.buyusa.gov/saudiarabia/en/saudiculturecustomsetiquette.html.
In addition, the following websites of the U.S. Department of State contains a wealth of
information useful to business traveler to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including updated travel
advisories.
http://riyadh.usembassy.gov/service.html
http://www.state.gov/travelandbusiness/
• Business Customs
• Travel Advisory
• Visa Requirements
• Telecommunications
• Transportation
• Language
• Health
• Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays
• Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings
• Web Resources
Business Customs Return to top
While modern Saudi Arabia has adopted numerous business methods and styles of the West,
many cultural differences remain. Most important is that business will generally only be
conducted after a degree of trust and familiarity has been established. Considerable time may
be spent exchanging courtesies, and several visits may be needed to establish a business
relationship. Business visitors should arrange their itineraries to allow for long meetings, as
traditional Saudis often maintain an “open office” in which they will sign papers, take telephone
calls and converse with friends or colleagues who drop by. Tea and traditional Saudi coffee are
usually offered. One to three cups of Saudi coffee should be taken for politeness, after which
the cup may be wiggled between thumb and forefinger when returning it to the server to indicate
that you have finished.
Many Saudi businessmen have been educated or have traveled extensively in the West and are
sophisticated in dealing with Americans. For the most part, travelers can rely on Western
manners and standards of politeness to see them through, with a few additional rules that may
be observed. One should avoid sitting at any time with the sole of the foot pointed at the host or
other guest. Unless one is on familiar terms with a Saudi, it may be discourteous to ask about a
man’s wife or daughters; ask instead about his family. Shoes are often removed before entering
a Saudi living room (majlis). If you are invited to the home of a Saudi for a party or reception, a