Cross-cultural Communication: United Arab Emirates

1. Cross-cultural Communication:

United Arab Emirates

2. The UAE Flag

3. BASIC FACTS

Location: on the Arabian
(Persian) Gulf
Political identification: federal
state
Founded: December 2, 1971
Population: 4.5 million
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Monetary Unit: UAE Dirham.
Languages: Arabic (official),
English, Farsi, Hindi, Urdu

4. BASIC FACTS

Nationalities: 200
Religions: Islam 96%
(Sunni 80%, Shiite 16%),
Christian, Hindu and
other 4%
Literacy rate: 93%
Time difference: +4
hours from GMT

5. BASIC VALUES

Tolerance
Openness
Family
Hospitality
Forgiveness

6. Etiquette

Politeness
Handshaking
Eye contact
Dressing conservatively
Gifts
Avoid using your left hand
while eating or offering something
Avoid crossing your legs while
sitting

7. CONVERSATION NO

anger or impatience.
signs of tension
brash conversation
refusing the offer of
strong black coffee

8. CONVERSATION YES

Eye contact
Accept everything you are
offered
Polite small talk
Learn to relax
A calm demeanour
Non-aggressive body posture

9. CONVERSATION WHAT TO EXPECT

Interrupting the meeting at
any time
Other people entering the
meeting
Be prepared for expansive
conversations.
Do not look for western style
structure in meetings
A negotiating style that is
calm but firm.
Sincerity and trust

10. GIFT-GIVING NO

Alcohol or products that
contain alcohol
Products or foods from
scavengers
Personal clothing items
Dogs
Knives
sculptures, drawings or
photos showing the human
body

11. GIFT-GIVING YES

A good gift: a compass
Open and examine
immediately
The best you can afford
Present with the right or
both hands

12. WELCOME TO THE UAE