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https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/saudi-arabian-culture/saudi-arabian-culture-etiquette
Saudi Arabian Culture
Etiquette
Eating
Etiquette
Author
Nina Evason, 2019
Basic Etiquette
Saudis generally observe a separation between the functions of the hands. This custom is tied to Islamic principles that prescribe the left hand should be used for removal of dirt and for cleaning. It should not be used for functions such as waving, eating or passing items. Therefore, one should gesture, touch people or offer items using both hands together. Using the one hand alone can seem too informal, but if doing so, use the right.
Tipping is common in Saudi Arabia, but it is not routine. It is also not required if a service charge is already included in the bill. Saudis usually tip expatriate service people and individual services in hotels despite the overall service charge. For example, it is appropriate to leave -2USD for a porter or housekeeper.
Punctuality depends on the priority of the occasion. Saudi Arabians generally have a more relaxed approach to time-keeping in casual settings. People do not adhere to tight schedules and are quite tolerant of lateness when meeting with friends. However, punctuality is expected and adhered to in professional settings (see Business Culture).
It is considered rude to check the time whilst in conversation with someone or at a social gathering. Time spent with friends is considered time well spent.
Ask permission before taking anyone’s photo or posting it online, especially if they are a woman.
Avoid sitting in any position that allows one’s shoe to face another person. This is considered insulting. Similarly, it is inappropriate to cross your legs when facing someone.
Try to avoid situations in which you will be left alone with a member of the opposite gender (e.g. elevators, cars). If a woman is in a car alone with a male driver, she may sit in the backseat behind the driver’s seat out of his view.
Avoid wearing tight clothes that accentuate the shape of your body or legs. Most Saudis are accustomed to seeing Western clothing. However, it is advisable to ensure your legs, arms and shoulders are covered. Women are recommended to wear a hair/head scarf covering if visiting Saudi Arabia.
Pay respect to elderly in all situations. For example, standing up when they enter a room or offering them your seat.
It is polite to avoid blowing one’s nose or spitting in public.
Casual whistling has suggestive connotations and may be seen as inappropriate depending on the context.
Loud aggression and/or drunkenness is looked upon very poorly.
Offering and Complimenting Items
There is a strong belief in the evil eye in Saudi Arabia whereby one’s misfortune is caused by another’s envy, sometimes taking the form of a curse. Complimenting or praising something too heavily can cause some Saudis to be wary that the evil eye will be jealous of it or curse it. People say “Mashallah” (May God bless) to ward off the evil eye after a compliment and avoid hurting people’s feelings. This phrase comforts people as it lets them know that you are giving an innocent compliment and do not wish harm. Expect to hear it highly frequently in conversation, and say it after every compliment.
In Saudi Arabia, people generally extend an offer multiple times. It is often polite to decline gestures initially and accept once the person has insisted. This exchange allows the offering person to show their sincerity in the gesture, and shows the receiver’s humbleness.
Be sure to offer everything multiple times in return. If you only offer something once, a Saudi person may respond, “No, it’s okay”, out of modesty and politeness even though they meant to accept on the second offer.
Be careful when you compliment an item in a Saudi person’s house, as they may feel compelled to offer it to you as a gift. If they try to give it to you, insist that you appreciate their gesture but do not want to take it. A Saudi person is likely to offer the object out of politeness, and if you accept, they may end up giving you something they wished to keep.
It is thought to be more sincere if compliments are given out of sight or earshot of the person who owns the possession or thing you are praising.
Show gratitude and humility when offered a compliment. This is done by responding with an equally respectful compliment on the same subject. If they are Muslim, you may wish them Allah’s (God’s) blessings.
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