Saudi Arabia: Prosperous Entertaining
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Entertaining for business success
Saudis habitually entertain at home but, as a concession to western custom, they will often accept a foreigner's invitation to a hotel or restaurant.
Regardless of who is host, hospitality is merely a courtesy and should not be interpreted as a harbinger of commercial success. In fact, lavish hospitality often serves to soften the letdown of an unsuccessful venture.
A Saudi's concern for helping one save face can border on hypocrisy, as when he publicly greets with particular warmth a man he dislikes. The opposite can also be true, so that being treated in an off-hand manner could be a backhanded compliment, interpreted as, “We are such good friends that I needn't be on my good behaviour with you!” The death knell to beware, however, is “Let's keep in touch.”
When the visitor is entertaining in a restaurant or hotel, tipping is the same as in Europe; ten percent over and above the service charge if merited. Also as in most of Europe, it is not customary to tip taxi drivers.
Not only is it improper to eat with the left hand, it should be reserved only for unclean usage. To offer someone something by the left hand is most rude.
Sharing a meal is the universal best way for people to get to know one another. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly the Hejaz or Western Province, this usually manifests itself in an Anglo/Japanese sense of humour based on practical joking, double meanings and sexual absurdity.
Also like the English and Japanese, the Saudis prefer understatement and deplore exaggeration in normal conversation. Similarly, they appreciate genuine praise but abhor gratuitous flattery. Women are sacrosanct but all other subjects of conversation are acceptable provided the visitor demonstrates an open mind. Saudis tend to respect a man with a firm grasp of his argument.
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