1. A Cross Cultural Briefing Destination: Saudi Arabia

3. Agenda History and Background Social Customs Cultural Orientation Business Practices Final Tips First Hand Account of an American in Saudi Arabia

4. History and Background Government: Islamic monarchy Language: Arabic; English secondary Religion: Wahabi branch of Sunni Islam Law: Unofficially, the Koran

5. Social Customs - Greetings - Titles - Gestures - Gifts - Dress

7. Cultural Orientation - Cognitive Styles - Negotiation Strategies - Value System - Issues of Equality/Inequality

9. ISLAM Saudi Culture Business Practices

10. - Punctuality, Appointments - Negotiating

12. Business Practices - Punctuality, Appointments - Negotiating

13. Geert Hofstede Scores Saudi Arabia

14. Final Tips -Before you go…

15. Tara Foley Foreign Affairs Officer for U.S. State Dept. An Abaya

16. “ ” From their point of view, they were expressing respect for me by refraining from physical contact. This is something that I comprehend intellectually, but struggle to truly understand in my heart. Culturally, it's just ingrained in me. No matter how much I intellectualize it, it is very difficult for me to accept someone’s signal that they do not view me as an equal– even if that inequality is considered a sign of respect in itself. -Tara Foley, Foreign Affairs Officer for U.S. State Dept.