Sa Group Final

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SAUDI ARABIA

The Culture Assimilator

Social and Cultural Overview

Business and Legal News

Business Customs

Verbal and Non-VerbalCommunication

´Saudi Arabia: Lifting the Veilµ

OUTLINE



SAUDI ARABIA

The Culture Assimilator :

THE CULTURE ASSIMILATOR

Emphasizes placing an individual or group inan unfamiliar setting.

Participants are then given choices,reflecting potential reactions to cross-cultural behavior.

Questions about the thoughts, feelings, and

behaviors of the individual follows

Sources:

Fowler, S.M., & Mumford, M.G. (1995). Intercultural sourcebook: Cross-cultural training . Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.



SAUDI ARABIA

THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Sources:

CIA World Fact Book (2007)

Largest petroleum exporter: possesses 25% ofthe world's petroleum reserves.

Birth place of Islam: home to Mecca andMedina.

Flag motto: "There is no God but Allah;Muhammad is His messenger."

Government type: Monarchy

Ruled by Shari'a Islamic law.

Often criticized for violating human rights.



SAUDI ARABIA

Work days: Saturdays ² Wednesdays.

No work during Islamic prayer times; observedfive times a day.

Polychronic time concept: work from 7:30amto 2:30pm, but very flexible with scheduling.

Lunar Islamic calendar, Hijra , has 354 days in ayear. Ex. 2007 = 1428

TIME CONCEPTION

Sources:

U .S-Saudi Arabian business council. (2007) | Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority. (2007)



SAUDI ARABIA

Strict Islamic laws and punishments; No movietheaters, alcoholic beverages, pornographicvideos, eating pork.

No labor unions, major political parties,parliament.

Collectivistic society; strong family bonds, largefamilies.

Limited rights for women; no traveling without amale relative, no shaking hands with men, nodriving.

SOCIAL LIFE

Sources:

U .S-Saudi Arabian business council . (2007). | Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority. (2007).



SAUDI ARABIA

CULTURE ASSIMILATOR EXERCISEFour American business executives are planning their trip toSaudi Arabia for an all-day meeting with their Saudi Arabianpartners on Friday. In the evening, they hope to invite their Saudi colleagues to a nearby restaurant, where they canenjoy some Saudi kebabs and world-famous Saudi baconalong with Saudi beer.

SAUDI CULTURE

A) That the agenda looks great.B) That they should first schedule a visit to St. Riyadh

Catholic Church, as it is a custom to start meetingswith a benediction by a priest.

C) That they should revise the agenda because Saudisdo not consume alcohol or eat pork.

D) That they should not schedule any meetings on Fridaysince it is the weekend in Saudi Arabia.

If you are a Saudi colleague, what would you suggest?:



SAUDI ARABIA

Shari·a Courts to be restructured into separate judiciaries for criminal, commercial, family andlabor disputes.

Creation of a ten-member Supreme Court.

Limited testimony rights for women; there is noindication that the testimony of women will begiven equal footing.

There are no indications for moves towardsincreased legal rights for non-Muslims.

JUDICIAL REFORMS

Sources:

The Economist, ´Law of God versus law of manµ. (2007).



SAUDI ARABIA

A two-year period of attacks began in 2003,starting with suicide truck bombings in Riyadh.

Police crackdown was coupled with domesticmarketing campaign against attacks on Saudis.

Sporadic arrests of militants continue, along with´ re-education campaignµ of 30m U SD in moneyto keep young radicals in line.

Foreigners are still advised to be cautious andhire security when appropriate.

TERRORISM IN THE KINGDOM

Sources:

The Economist, ´The Bad Guys Keep on Comingµ. (2007).



SAUDI ARABIA

Do you:A) Politely decline, stating that you are capable

of driving yourself home.B) Thank him and accept the ride.C) Angrily respond that women in America are

able to drive themselves to and from work.D) Tell him you·ll take the bus.

CULTURE ASSIMILATOR EXERCISEYou are a businesswoman wrapping up ameeting with a Saudi partner. He asks if he can

call you a car service/escort back to your hotel.

NEWS AND CURRENT EVENTS



SAUDI ARABIA

Hand shaking is done exclusively with the righthand, as the left is considered unclean andassociated with ill fortune or malice.

When received by a Saudi host, a guest musttake at least one cup of traditional Saudi coffeeor risk insulting their host.

It is considered offensive to expose the bottom ofone·s shoe.

Upon entering a room it is considered polite toaddress elders before younger individuals.

BUSINESS CUSTOMS



SAUDI ARABIA

Do you:A) The man with the longest beard, clean

shaven faces last.B) The oldest, then working down to the

youngestC) The one seated at the head of the table, no

one elseD) No one; hand shaking is unclean.

CULTURE ASSIMILATOR EXERCISE

BUSINESS CUSTOMS

You walk into a room of executives in a Saudioffice. You're a little nervous as there are clearly

varying ages and ranks spread across the room.Hand-shaking is appropriate, but with who, and inwhat order?



SAUDI ARABIA

Women are advised to wait for a male to offer hishand for a handshake. Male colleagues greeteach other by grasping the right hand and thenexchanging a kiss on the cheek.

Hand holding is not a homosexual act in SaudiArabia, but an affirmation of friendship.

Long periods of silence in business meetings arenot uncommon; Saudi Arabians use this time toreflect on the business deals being discussed.

In Saudi Arabia the "quiet observer" listening tothe meeting is most likely to hold all the realdecision-making power.

VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION



SAUDI ARABIA

Do you:A) Politely decline the gesture, stating that you

are not homosexual.B) Let him grab your hand.C) Think it is a Saudi Arabian custom to hold

hands, and attempt such on your femaleSaudi colleague.D) Refuse to do business in Saudi Arabia again

because you tell your boss that SaudiArabians are "too touchy".

CULTURE ASSIMILATOR EXERCISE

VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATIO

You are a male westerner and a Saudi Arabianbusiness partner attempts to grab your hand as

you walk down the street to grab a bite to eat.



SAUDI ARABIA

´LIFTING THE VEILµ

Sources:

ABC News, October 23, 2007

Documents

Sa Group Final