A PROJECT REPORT ON CROSS CULTURAL TRAINING

UAE
SUBMISSION DATE: 17th August, 2013

AUTHOR: Group 7
ANKIT ARORA (95)
SANJULA SHARMA (96)
AKSHAY GULATI (97)
BASANT SINGH (98)
PINAZ GUPTA (99)

SUBMITTED TO: Prof. Shivdasini Amin

(Senior Faculty, LBSIM)
SIGNATURE:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..III
LIST OF FIGURES & TABLES..IV
INTRODUCTION... 5
FINDINGS... 6

DAY1: SESSION 1...... 6

DAY1: SESSION 2.. 9
DAY1: SESSION 3.. 10
DAY2: SESSION 1..13
DAY2: SESSION 2..14
DAY2: SESSION 3..17

ADDENDA..19

REFERENCES.19
APPENDIX A...20
APPENDIX B...24

II

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The project presents the training module for the employees of the client company as they are to
visit UAE for business purposes. The employees are to be trained in two stages namely, prearrival phase and post-arrival phase. 1st stage is to be conducted in India itself at consulting
firms site. It comprises of six training sessions to be conducted in the time span of 2 days and
the sessions would covers both social and business aspects in UAE.
The 2nd phase of training will be carried out in UAE at the site of the consulting firm. The session
will be for feedback and doubt clearing as the employees would have witnessed a lot of different
situations. Moreover, a complete training guide would be given to the client for future reference.
The training module has been developed after a thorough research on social and cultural aspects
of UAE. The research work has been carried out over internet through various research papers,
cross-cultural training websites and e-books

III

LIST OF FIGURES & TABLES

FIGURES:
1. Geographic location of UAE on the mapPage 6

TABLES:
1. Few Arabic translations to English..Page 14
2. Public Holidays in 2013 in UAE.Page 21

INTRODUCTION

The project is about cross-cultural training for the client companys employees visiting United
Arab Emirates from India. India and UAE have striking differences in terms of culture, religious
dominance, politics and societal practices. Business conduct and meetings in UAE are informal
and business is given to trustworthy people only. So, to conduct business activities in UAE, the
employees need to understand the basics of the above aspects.
The employees are to be given training regarding the cultural and social aspects in order to make
them fit into the Emirati culture. Once they understand the know-how of Emirati business world,
they are good to go.
The training module has been designed after conducting a thorough research on UAE. The
research was carried out on socio-cultural and business practices being followed in the country.
Also, the research was conducted over the internet through various websites, research papers and
e-books.
The employees are to be trained in two stages namely, pre-arrival phase and post-arrival phase.
1st stage is to be conducted in India itself at consulting firms site. It comprises of six training
sessions to be conducted in the time span of 2 days and the sessions would covers both social and
business aspects in UAE. The 2nd phase of training will be carried out in UAE at the site of the
consulting firm. The session will be for feedback and doubt clearing as the employees would
have witnessed a lot of different situations.

FINDINGS
DAY 1
SESSION 1
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is a constitutional federation of seven emirates; Abu Dhabi, Dubai,
Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. The federation was formally
established on 2 Dec, 1971. Four-fifths of the UAE is desert, yet it is a country of contrasting
landscapes, from awe-inspiring dunes to rich oases, precipitous rocky mountains to fertile plains.
The United Arab Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing tourist destinations, has all the
right ingredients for an unforgettable holiday, sun, sand, sea, sports, unbeatable shopping, topclass hotels and restaurants, an intriguing traditional culture, and a welcoming environment.
Location
United Arab Emirates occupies a total area of about 83,600 square kilometers (32,400 square
miles), along the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula between 2250 and 26N and
between 51 and 5625 E. Qatar lies to the west and north-west, Saudi Arabia to the west and
south and Oman to the north, east and south-east. The capital and the largest city of the
federation, Abu Dhabi, are located in the emirate of the same name.
Figure 1

Figure 1: Geographic location of UAE on the map.

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Climate
Climatic conditions in the area are strongly influenced by the Indian Ocean, since the country
borders both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. This explains why high temperatures in
summer are always accompanied by high humidity along the coast. There are noticeable
variations in climate between the coastal regions, the deserts of the interior and mountainous
areas.
From November to March daytime temperatures average a very pleasant 24 C (75 F). Nighttime temperatures are slightly cooler, averaging 13 C (56 F) and less than 5 C (40 F) in the
depths of the desert or high in the mountains. Summer temperatures are high, and can be as
high as 48 C (118 F) inland, but it is lower by few degrees in coastal. Humidity in coastal
areas averages between 50 and 60 per cent, touching over 90 per cent in summer and autumn.
Inland it is far less humid.Local north-westerly winds (shamal) frequently develop during the
winter, bringing cooler windy conditions. Prevailing winds, which are influenced by the
monsoons, vary between south or south-east, to west or north to north-west, depending upon
the season and location.Average rainfall is low at less than 6.5 centimeters annually, more than
half of which falls in December and January.
Source:http://www.emirates.org/the_country.html(14/8/2013 at 10:20 PM)

Introduction to Emirati Culture

Language: The official language of the United Arab Emirates is Arabic. Modern Standard
Arabic is taught in schools, and most native Emiratis speak a dialect of Gulf Arabic that is
generally similar to that spoken in surrounding countries. A number of languages are spoken
among the expatriate community, including various dialects of Pashto, Hindi, Balochi, and
Persian. English is also widely spoken.
Islam: Religion has played an important and influential role in shaping the society and culture of
the UAE. Islam is the official and majority religion and pervades almost every aspect of life.
Laws, education, food, clothes, daily routines and even conversations are all strongly influenced
by Islam. The Islamic faith places great emphasis on behaviours such as generosity, respect and
modesty which most Emiratis will display. Understanding Islam and the influence it has on
everyday life and Emirati business culture is the first step to conducting successful business in
the UAE.
Family: Family and tribal connections form the basis of Emirati social structure. The family and
tribe are highly influential and play a role in shaping a persons values and behavior. It serves to
support its members both financially and emotionally and as such, the family comes before
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anything else and its honor is protected by doing whatever necessary. Loyalty between family
and tribe members carries over into business where it is not uncommon for companies to be run
by and employ several members of one family or tribe.
Hospitality: Hospitality is an essential part of Emirati culture and applies to both social and
professional contexts. Guests will be received with enormous generosity. In the home this
usually comes in the form of a feast of traditional Emirati food, especially during the holidays,
while in a business context, meetings are almost always accompanied by traditional Arab coffee
and pastries. The emphasis placed on hospitality is closely connected to the importance of
relationships. Foreigners should show their gratitude and dedicate time to cultivating
relationships with their Emirati counterparts.
Food: Emirati cuisine is a blend of many Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines.
The modern diet of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is cosmopolitan, featuring dishes from
around the world. A lot of people confuse Levantine food as being Emirati/Khaleej,
but shawarma, hummous, tabbouleh, and mixed grill, whilst having similar characteristics, are
fairly recent additions and do not do justice to the "soul food" that makes up the Emirati menu.
Due to harsh desert conditions, the traditional food of the United Arab Emirates uses a lot
ofmeat, grain, and dairy. Vegetables are easy to grow in some areas, and are strongly featured in
the diet.
Meats traditionally used were chicken or small fowl, such as Houbara bustards, and goats. As
camels are highly prized for their milk and transporting ability, the eating of camel meat is
normally reserved for special occasions.
The dishes are usually like stews, as everything is often cooked in a single
pot. Saffron,cardamom, turmeric, and thyme are the core flavors used in Emirati cookery. The
introduction of rice to the diet came when the traders moved to the region. Leaves from
indigenous trees, such as the Ghaff, were also used to stuff small birds, releasing their flavor
during the cooking process.
Breakfast in the UAE usually features breads like raqaq, khameer, and chebab, served
with cheese, date syrup, or eggs. These were made over a curved hot plate, resembling a stone,
which would have been used by the Bedouins. Balaleat is another dish, but its advent again with
the traders, who introduced pasta.
Sweet options include luqeymat, a deep fried ball of pancake batter that is rolled in sesame
seeds and then drizzled with date syrup. Other desserts include khabeesa, which is flour bread
crumbs blended with sugar, cardamom, and saffron or bethitha, a semolina blended with
crushed dates, cardamom, and clarified butter.

At the close of the meal, it is usual to be served with a red tea infused with mint, which aids the
digestion. Other traditions to the meal include a welcome with dates and gahwah (Arabic coffee),
which are offered on arrival and are kept available through the guests visit.
Significance of Colors:

Red: blood or war and love.

Black: the dark days our ancestors faced to survive; also represents mourning, and a
sign of Satan as in a black cat.The black in our UAE flag was believed to represent
the discovery of oil.
White: purity, a new beginning and spirits and ghosts.
Green: gardens, life and linked to Islam as seen on mosques.
Brown or gold: represent desert and beautiful sand dunes, and is linked to traditions
and culture.
Violet: seen as cultural and traditional in some parts of the country such as the city of
Al Ain.

Session 2
Dress Code
A modest dress code should be followed in the U.A.E. for both men and women, avoiding bare
shoulders and legs. More conservative values are observed outside the major cities, particularly
in rural areas, and such areas have stricter decency rules, that among other things, prohibit
women from wearing clothing that is not at least knee length.
Women: They should avoid wearing shorts. Dresses or skirts should be at least knee-length, and
it is more appropriate to keep shoulders covered.
There are two distinct types of womens clothing in the region: one for locals, the other for
expatriates. Outside the home, most Arab women dress according to religious custom, which
means that they must cover most of the body, from head to foot. The traditional black
overgarment( abaya) is ankle length with long sleeves and a high neckline, and the hair is
covered. Some Arab women are totally covered, including their face and hands, especially Saudis
and those with strictly religious husbands. This is meant to protect women from unwanted
attention, and in Saudi Arabia even foreign women must wear an abaya outside the home; the
religious police will stop any woman who has her head uncovered and direct her to cover her
hair immediately. In other UAE states, foreign women may wear western clothes but should
always dress conservatively.

In a business setting, it is appropriate for women to wear conservative suits, in the form of darkcolored trousers or skirts that fall below the knee. The Elbows should also be covered at all times
with a shirt or vest.
Men: They are also expected to dress demurely with no bold overtones. Men wouldnt be really
welcomed in UAE if they go over the top with eccentrically designed crazy or tacky clothes.
Arab men wear the thobe, a loose, ankle-length robe made from fine white cotton (or heavier
woolen material in winter). There are different styles of thobe, both in the cut of the cloth and in
the fastenings at the neck and front. Perhaps the most distinctive are those worn by the Omanis,
which sport a tassel. The thobe can be worn for all occasions, either social or business. An outer
cloak, the bisht, is worn on formal occasions and can be very costly, with border embroidery in
gold thread and the material itself of the finest quality.
The traditional, distinctive head covering is the guthra, a white or red and white checkered cloth
held in place by the agal, a black rope which was originally a camel tether. There are different
types of agal: for example, Qataris normally wear a more African-style headdress, with two long
tails reaching down the back. Arab men sometimes wear casual dress on very informal
occasions or at the beach.
Foreign men arent expected to wear Arab garments, and western dress is the norm. Men should
avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts in the street, as is these are regarded as excessively
casual, although with the development of tourism, this attitude is softening. However, suits are
rarely worn in the Gulf, except for important business meetings and related social events.
Standard wear in the office is a shirt (usually long-sleeved), tie and lightweight trousers.

Session 3
General Attitudes
Arabs are generally known for their informal, relaxed demeanor, good manners and
consideration of others. Impatience is regarded as a sign of poor manners and a raised voice or
displays of annoyance or agitation will not earn respect in business or social interactions. The
quality of sabur, which means both patience and steadfastness in adversity, is much admired.
In business situations, it may take some time before the topic of conversation is directed to your
main reason for meeting, but this process should not be hurried. Similarly, conversations should
be allowed to end gradually and congenially

Gestures
Arabs, in general, make liberal use of gestures, especially if they are enthusiastic about what they
are saying. Men use gestures more than women. To greet with respect or sincerity, after shaking
10

hands, place the right hand to the heart or chest. Failure in shake hands while meeting someone
or saying goodbye is considered rude.

People in Middle East communicate through vocal and body language. So dont get
upset because of it.
Responding to anger or seriousness with light laughter or smile is common there. So
dont think that they are not taking you seriously
Dont get intimate or show affection in public.

How to sit and what should be the posture?

One should never show the bottom of ones shoes when sitting in a meeting. This is a sign of
great disrespect and is a common mistake by Westerners during meetings. As a general rule,
displaying the sole of ones foot or touching somebody with ones shoe is considered rude.
The Chin Scratch: Scratching or holding of a chin or beard is an indication that someone is
thinking. It might be wise to wait until the person has finished thinking this before continuing
talking, if it takes place during a moment of silence.
Conversational staring: If an Arab stares you in the eye as you speak, it means that he is giving
you his full attention. If he doesn't, it means that he may not care what you are saying. Bear this
in mind and reciprocate giving eye contact.
The sideways finger bite: If an Arab bites their right finger, it is a sign of contempt and that you
are not liked, and this will usually be accompanied by a muttering of some sort of curse.
The cup: The hand signal of putting all your fingers and thumb together, sort of cup like, means 'Wait
just one minute' or 'slow down'. This sometimes may be used to indicate that the person is getting
impatient at your speed.

Unacceptable gestures: Showing your middle finger: This has been judged to be indecent and illegal
and will be punished by deportation.

Complete NO NO

Clenching your fist and grasping the elbow with your other hand: According to Dubai
Police quoted in 7 Days, this is the most offensive gesture of all.
Sticking out your tongue.
Making a circle with your first finger and thumb (A-OK): In Arab cultures, this
signifies the evil eye and means I wish evil upon you.

Acceptable gestures

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Shway-shway: All fingers and thumb of one hand put together pointing upwards while moving
hand up and down a little: Arabic gesture for meaning have patience or wait. L for loser
sign: Acceptable, though possibly not understood by other cultures. Snapping the head upwards
while clicking the tongue: This means I dont believe you.
Touching
Arabs will interpret your behavior negatively if you behave with too much familiarity toward a
person of the opposite sex. Behaviors such as overly enthusiastic greetings, animated and joking
conversations, and casual invitations to lunch can be easily misinterpreted. The public display of
intimacy between men and women is strictly forbidden by the Arab social code, including
holding hands or linking arms or any gesture of affection such as kissing or prolonged touching.
Space
Arabs of the same gender will typically stand very close to the person when in a conversation. If
the person tries to keep a greater distance, they may believe that the person finds their physical
presence distasteful or is a particularly cold individual. When standing in conversation with
someone, leaning against the wall or keeping hands in pockets is taken as a lack of respect

Body Language
Its my Obligation: The gesture of placing the right hand or its forefinger on the tip of the nose,
on the right lower eyelid, on top of the head, on the mustache or beard has the meaning of "its in
front of me, I see it or its on my head to accomplish."
Come Here: Right hand out, palm down, with fingers brought toward oneself repeatedly in a
clawing motion, is the sign for calling someone to come.
Im thinking: Grasping the chin with the thumb side of the right fist is a sign of wisdom or
maturity.
Slow down: By holding the fingers in a pear shaped configuration with the tips pointing up at
about waist level and moving the hand slightly up and down signals "wait a little bit" or "be
careful. " This gesture can be observed extensively when driving in the crowded streets of the
Arab cities. In such a locale, it may be accompanied by curses from an anxious taxi driver or a
pedestrian trying to cross the street.
Thank You: Placing the palm of the right hand on the chest, bowing the head a little and closing
ones eyes means "Thank You" (in the name of Allah).
No: A quick snap of the head upwards with an accompanying click of the tongue means: "No",
"Unlikely", or "What you say is false.
In a foreign country one needs to listen with the ears, eyes and the heart. This means that paying
attention to body language is very important in a society such as the UAE. Body language, such
as gestures have hidden meanings. Since the Arabs are high context communicators there is a lot
of broader meaning to the words that they use. For this reason body language and the mood of
the meeting needs to be taken into consideration, not only what has been said.
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DAY 2
Session 1
Greetings
Its already been noted by now that Arabic people are open at the same time being conservative;
Arabic handshake engrosses touching the heart with the right palm after every shake and visitors
are requested not to offer their hand, in the form of greeting, to any Arab women unless she,
herself, extends hers first. Holding hands even for a long period after shaking hands is common
place and a sign of friendship.
How to address an Arab when you meet him/her?
It is customary to use Sheikh (chief) (or Sheikha for a woman), Sayed (Mr.), Sayeda (Mrs.), etc.
Arabs generally address people by their first names, so John Smith will be addressed as Mr.
John.It is important to greet and acknowledge the most senior person in the room first.
Which hand is advisable to be used?
Always use the right hand. Among Muslims, the left hand is reserved for bodily hygiene and
considered unclean. The right hand should be used for eating, shaking hands, or handing over an
item.
Note: Special respect is paid to older people in many circumstances. This can include standing

when older people enter a room, always greeting older people first, standing when speaking to
ones elders, and serving older people first at a meal.
Man greeting Man: A light handshake and sometime a kiss on the nose or both cheeks are
common. Placing your right hand on the heart or chest after shaking hands is a show of great
respect to the person you are greeting. Handshakes may linger a bit. A more traditional greeting
between men involves grasping each others right hand, placing the left hand on the others right
shoulder and exchanging kisses on each cheek.
Woman greeting Woman: Friends and family usually kiss on the left cheek three times, or at
least touch their left cheek to the other womans right cheek three times.
Man greeting Woman: There is little to no touching between men and women during greetings
in public. Women may extend a sleeve-covered wrist or hand to be shaken. Always wait for the
woman to initiate, if at all.
After handshaking, its customary to enquire after the other persons health and other matters
(Dont enquire after the health of the female members of an Arabs family, however, but restrict
your questions to those regarding the family in general or the sons.)
Rubbing noses: It is a tribal custom and way of greeting that represents the values of respect,
pride and Bedounism mostly practiced by Arabs in the Gulf region. The nose has a valuable
symbol for the Arabs because it is in the center of the face -- it is the place where they greet
13

someone with respect (or hit someone when they mean disrespect). Arab men inherited this
tradition as a way of greeting generations from the past.
How to greet Arab in Arabic?
The customary greeting is As-salamalaikum, (peace be upon you) to which the reply is
Waalaikum as-salam, (and upon you be peace).Goodbye is Ma salamaa .Please is Min
Fudlek and thank you is Shukran.Inshallah means God willing and is a common response
when agreeing on next steps or a particular course of action.
If one can show that he/she has taken the time to learn some basic Arabic words and phrases, this
will be very much appreciated as the language is a core part of the culture in the United Arab
Emirates and will enhance the formation of business relationships. Being able to speak even a
few words will be seen as demonstrating respect for the country and its people (who are very
proud of their country and its achievements). There are differences in Arabic across the gulf
region, and as you would expect there are various dialects and some variations in pronunciation.
Table 1

Tasharafna

Pleased to meet you

Forsa saeeda

Nice to meet you

Ismi John

I am John

Aasif (to male)/Aasifa (to female) alaltakeer

I'm sorry I'm late

Haazacartee

Here is my business card

Mumpkinaakhuzcartak

Can I have your card

Table 1: Few Arabic translations to English

Session 2
Hospitality
An invitation to dinner is the most common form of hospitality extended by a host and will
usually be to a hotel or restaurant. Customarily only men would attend such a function, although
a separate function for women may be organized to coincide with the event. The host will be
expected to pay. The person should not offer to pay in this situation as it is considered to be his
duty to be hospitable during the stay in his country. The people of the UAE have a tradition of
hospitality and will be very welcoming to guests. This attitude arises from the ancient custom of

14

providing shelter to any traveler in the desert. The best advice if you are not sure what to do is to
observe the behavior of others around or to ask discreet questions about appropriate etiquette.

Eating

Arabs are restricted by Islamic conventions from eating pork, most carnivorous animals,
and unscaled fish. Alcohol is forbidden.
Meat must be butchered in line with Quranic ritual (know as Hallal = permitted)
The staple of the Arab diet is dark pita bread. The UAE is known for the quality of its
seafood. Fruit and vegetables and a range of breads also form the basis of the local diet.
Lamb is the most common meat.
Always offer snack foods to visitors and accept what is offered to you as a guest, but only
after modestly refusing the first offer.
When served a beverage, accept with the RIGHT HAND ONLY! When eating, drinking,
offering, or passing use right hand only!
When eating with Arabs, especially when taking food from communal dishes, the left
hand must never be used, it isconsidered unclean.
Not eating everything on ones plate is considered a compliment. It is a sign of wealth
when an Arab can afford to leave food behind. If invited to an Arab home, leave shortly
after dinner. The dinner is the climax of conversation and entertainment. Avoid
discussions on political issues (national and international), religion, alcohol, and malefemale relations over dinner or tea.

Drinking

Men and women will usually socialize separately. The men will receive their guests in a
room called a majlis. When entering the majlis, one should greet the group while
approaching and they will respond with a standard greeting and rise to their feet.
It is important to move towards the host and shake hands. All men in the majlis are
treated as equals.
The ritual of taking coffee is central to social occasions in the United Arab Emirates.
Coffee is served at the start and end of business meetings and social events.
Guests are served coffee by an attendant when they arrive. The attendant will work
around the room from the right. One should take the egg-cup sized vessel in the right
hand when it is offered by the attendant.
There is no need to thank the person serving. As the coffee is usually quite hot it can be
swirled around and sipped at.
When the coffee is finished wait for the server to return and repeat the process a further
two times before shaking the cup to indicate that you have finished. It should be held by
the fingertips and not be put down on the ground or a table.
Tea and soft drinks will follow the serving of coffee.
The serving of coffee is followed by the serving of sugared, black tea in small glasses.
Tea glasses may be placed on the floor when finished with.
15

Alcohol is served to non-Muslim guests at internationalhotels and restaurants. As in any

culture, moderation isappropriate. Public drunkenness is a legal offence andhighly
scrutinized.

Greeting Gifts
Gifts are appropriate particularly if the discussions occur in a home. Gifts must be wrapped.
Politely refuse gifts at least twice. Do not open a gift in front of the gift-giver. Gifts may be
presented publicly to the group at the meetings end.
Tipping
It is entirely up to the individual whether to tip for services and it is not a fixed expectation as
you find in other countries. Some people in UAE choose not to tip at all, but for those who feel
that the service was worth recognizing, the usual amount is 10% and tips are greatly appreciated.
An increasing number of restaurants now also include a service charge on the bill, although it's
not clear whether this ever sees the inside of your waiter's pockets, so some people add a little
extra. Tips in restaurants and bars are often shared with other staff. But also remember that
restaurants and cafs operating outside hotels are forbidden by law from adding a service charge,
so if you see this appearing on the bill you can refuse to pay it. This law was introduced in 2010,
because it was found that many service charges were finding their way into the pockets of
restaurant owners, rather than the staff. But you should, of course, still feel free to leave some
cash on the table when you leave in recognition of good service. If there is a tips jar, you can ask
the manager how the money is divided and add to it if you feel comfortable doing so.
When it comes to tipping in Dubai or Abu Dhabi hotels, here is some advice:
Be careful where you tip. Some bills already contain a service charge as well as a tourist
tax - and any additional amount may not go to the person that served you.
If one wishes to tip, try and do it in cash, and up to 10%.
Tipping earlier during your stay will ensure consistent service from the concierge or
bellboy for example, 5 Dhs tip to a bellboy is always appreciated
If you want to tip cleaners of rooms, leave 20 or 30 Dhs in your bedroom at the end of
your stay.
Be aware of the staff that are probably paid very close to nothing - and live on tips.
Photography
Dont photograph people especially women without their consent and refrain from capturing
government buildings too. Be careful what else is in the background of the photograph you are
taking.

16

Session 3
Structure and hierarchy in Emirati companies
There is a strong vertical hierarchy in most Emirati companies. Many are owned and run by one
powerful person who makes all of the decisions. This person must be treated with respect and
deference.
Status is important and must be recognised by using the correct title such as Shaikh (Chief),
Mohandas (engineer) and Ustadh (professor). If you are unsure of someones title, find out
beforehand or ask the person who introduced you.
Notes:

Arabs do not place much emphasis on written communications as they are a highly verbal
society.
Meetings can often appear unstructured with no (or little reference to) agenda. People
may be present who are, seemingly, nothing to do with your meeting.e an active listener.

People do not like to say no or deliver negative news. It can be very difficult to fully
understand exactly how interested people are in your propositions. Only perseverance and
patience will reveal the true picture.

It is not uncommon to arrive at your meeting to find your host in a meeting with several
other people and that these other people could be meeting your host about completely
disconnected issues.

Conversation
Conversation will usually commence in a good-humored tone with general talk, often about the
health of the other person. Enquiries are never made into the health or wellbeing of female
relatives, especially wives.
During initial meetings it is not necessary to participate in conversation beyond what could be
described as small talk. Answering general enquiries is enough until you are known better by
the group or individual involved. Trying to monopolize a conversation is considered impatient
and rude.

Low literacy rates increase the importance of verbal communication.

Arabs love poetry and creative speech. They are fond of bestowing flowery blessings and
colorful swearing.

17

When speaking with Arabs keep in mind that they believe that words have power. Arabs
shun speaking about unpleasantries out of fear that negative speech compels negative
results.

Importance of relationships in doing business in UAE

People in the UAE prefer to do business in person. Relationships and mutual trust are
paramount for any successful business interaction and can only be developed through face-toface meetings. It is important to spend time with your Emirati business counterparts and ensure
future meetings take place to continue cultivating the relationship.
It is important to have connections to someone in the UAE who can introduce you before
attempting to do business there on your own. Emirati people prefer to do business with those
they know, so having someone to introduce you will be of immense benefit to your business
relationship.
Family and friends come before anything else. As a result, it is not uncommon for an Emirati to
reschedule or cancel something to accommodate their needs or wishes.
Take the time to get to know your business counterparts on a person level so that you can
develop a friendship with that person and therefore be in a better position of priority for business
dealings.
When it comes to communication (unlike the west that prefers written communication) the Arabs
prefer personal visits, which have the biggest impact, or phone calls when visits are not possible
and these have more impact than a series of emails. Emails often get ignored, overlooked or take
very long time to be replied to. Arabs are hospitable and place a great deal of emphasis on
outward expressions, and the Emiratis are no different. They love to entertain and this is also a
great way to form a bond with the Emiratis. This is why invitations need to be accepted
graciously and expatriates should learn appropriate etiquette before attending the event. Once
there is a bond established with the Emirati and an expatriate they consider the expatriate as a
friend and business dealings can commence.
Time and Timing
The Arabs respect westerners who come on time to meetings even if they themselves are late.
However, to Arabs time is not as important as to the westerners. In the Arab world there is more
emphasis on harmony. This means that in order to maintain harmony being late to meetings,
delays and interruptions during meetings are common and are tolerated. However, the locals do
recognize that delays, lateness, interruptions and that time is an unlimited resource can cost them
money and perhaps lose them business deals with outsiders. Nevertheless, being time conscious
and on time is hard for the Arabs as they cannot do that at the expense of personal relationships.
Business cards
Have your business cards printed in both your language and Arabic and show respect when
receiving and reading the business card.
18

REFERENCES
Arabic Phrases and Words to use in Abu Dhabi , Retrieved August 15, 2013,
http://www.abudhabibusiness.co/Doing-Business-In-AbuDhabi%2FArabicPhrases.asp

Communicaid Group Ltd. 2009, Doing Business in the UAE accessed on August 15, 2013

Abu Dhabi Business Etiquette, Abu Dhabi Business Portal, retrieved August 9,2013
http://www.abudhabibusiness.co/Doing-Business-In-AbuDhabi%2Findex.asp

Business Etiquette in the U.A.E., US-UAE Business Council, retrieved August 9, 2013
http://usuaebusiness.org/about-the-uae/business-etiquette-in-the-uae/

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR INTELLIGENCE

US ARMY TRAINING AND DOCTRINE COMMAND
FT. LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS
JANUARY 2006,ARAB CULTURAL AWARENESS: 58 FACTSHEETS
, Accessed on August 16, 2013

Bennett, Rita; Aston, Anne; Coiquhoun, Tracy, CROSS-CULTURAL TRAINING: A

CRITICAL STEP IN ENSURING THE SUCCESS OF INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS,
Retrieved August 14, 2013, http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=e6h&AN=13643809&site=ehost-live

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Appendix A
UAE Indian Community
The Indian community in the UAE, numbering 1.75 million, constitutes 30 per cent of the total
population. It is the largest expatriate community in the country. It uniquely provides a breadth in
terms of numbers and depth in terms of categories of workers employed which distinguishes it
from every other expatriate community in the UAE.
The profile of the community has changed with the evolving needs of the country: in the 1970s
and 1980s, when the principal requirement here was for blue collar workers, the Indian
community was blue - collar to the extent of 85-90 per cent, with a negligible percentage of
professionals. In the 1990s, as the need for professionals to meet the need of the expanding
Service sector emerged, the profile ofthe community changed, and today, 15-20 per cent of the
Indian community is made up of professionally qualified personnel!
Up to the early 1990s, the Indian workers used to face serious problems in regard to the failure to
implement contractual obligations by employers as also in respect of their working and living
conditions. Grievance redressal mechanisms were also grossly inadequate and frequently biased
in favor of the employer.
Over the last five years there has been a steady improvement in the situation both in respect of
the treatment of workers as also with regard to grievance redressal mechanisms. Today, the UAE
Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs are working closely to evolve a
new arrangement that would make the system of recruitment and contracting more transparent.
In 2007, the UAE authorities were deeply concerned when two strikes involving Indian workers
took place. In one instance, there was violence on the streets against police personnel, while in
the other, Indians, along with workers of other nationalities were involved in a coordinated sitin involving over 40 thousand workers at 26 sites across the UAE. While initially the UAE
authorities tended to think in terms of extremist conspiracies, we were able to persuade them that
the principal source of the workers anger was the fact that the UAE Dirham was pegged to the
US Dollar and was thus yielding for the lowest category of workers at least Rs. 1000/- less per
month than what his wages had yielded earlier. The grievances of these striking workers were
settled through a ten per cent increase in wages across the board.

20

An analysis of the situation of the workers reveals the need for considerable reform at home,
particularly in regard to the functioning of recruiting agencies and their role in promoting the
scourge of illegal, as also the need to finalise legally binding and enforceable contracts in India
itself before the workers reach the UAE. Happily, given the positive and constructive approach
of the UAE Government, the stage is now set for a significant improve in regard to the welfare of
our people in this country.
Demographic Profile
The UAE population presently is estimated to be around five million of which 2/3rd are
immigrants from foreign countries, including India. The break-up of Indian emigrants in UAE is
as follows:

65% belong to the blue-collar category (employed mostly in construction companies,

municipalities, agricultural farms)
20% belong to the white collar non-professional (clerical staff, shop assistants, sales
men, accountants, etc) and
15% are professionals and businessmen and their family members.

Source:http://indembassyuae.org(14/8/2013 at 10:50 PM)

Holidays and Leaves

The UAE Labour Law includes a number of provisions that aim to ensure the physical and
mental well being of workers and boost their productivity by granting them days for rest on
certain occasions and when health problems prevent them from attending regular work.
The following list shows the public holidays in the UAE for the year 2013. The official reference
to determine Islamic occasions, such as the beginning of Ramadan or Haj, is the Hijri Calendar.
It is based on the phases of the moon. Hence, the exact dates of Islamic events vary from one
Gregorian year to another as they depend on the local sightings of the moon.
On December 2nd of each year, streets and buildings across the country are lit up and decorated
to celebrate the founding of the union of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE National Day is
accompanied by a series of events and programmes lasting several days.
Table 2

Occasion

Gregorian Year 2013

Hijri Year 1434 Holiday Duration

New Year

1 Jan 2013

19 Safar
21

Prophet Mohammeds Birthday* 24 Jan 2013

12 Rabi'
Awwal

Al-1

Israa&Miaraj Night*

6 Jun 2013

27 Rajab

Ramadan expected to begin*

10 Jul 2013

1 Ramadan

Eid Al Fitr*

8 Aug 2013

1 Shawwal

Arafat Day*

14 Oct 2013

9 Dhu Al-Hijjah 1

Eid Al Adha*

15 Oct 2013

10 Dhu Al-Hijjah 3

Hijri New Year's Day*

4 Nov 2013

1 Muharram 14351

UAE National Day

2/3 Dec 2013

Table 2: Public Holidays in 2013 in UAE

*Islamic holiday exact dates are subject to moon sighting and may differ from date given.
Source:https://www.abudhabi.ae/egovPoolPortal_WAR/appmanager/ADeGP/Citizen?
_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=p566&did=153040&lang=en
Weekly Holiday
Friday is the weekly holiday for all employees except for daily wage workers. If circumstances
require that an employee works on this day, he shall be entitled for another day off or be paid his
basic pay for normal working hours plus an increase of not less than 50% of that pay.
Official Holidays
Workers are entitled for an official holiday with full pay on the following days: one day for Hijri
New Year, Gregorian New Year, Isra and Miaraj (Accession day), Prophet Mohammad's Birthday
and National Day, 2 days for Eid Al-Fitr and 3 days for Arafa Day and Eid Al Adha.
Working on Official Holidays

22

If the worker was required to work on an official holiday, he shall be granted another day off
with an increase of 50 percent on his wage. If he was not given another day off, the increase shall
be by 150 percent of his basic wage.
Annual Leave
The worker is not entitled for annual leave if his service period is less than six months. If his
service is more than six months but less than a year, he shall be entitled for an annual vacation of
not less than two days for each month. If the service is more than a year, he is entitled for 30
days vacation. The duration of annual leave shall not be decreased, but it may be increased.
The employer has the right to specify the beginning of the annual leave and he can divide the
leave, when necessary, in order to ensure smooth operation of the establishment. The leave may
be forwarded to the next year, but it may not be suspended for more than two years.
The worker shall receive his basic salary specified by the employment contract as his leave
salary, plus housing allowance. If the leave is postponed to the following year, he shall receive
his basic salary and all allowances, plus remuneration of the leave.
Sick Leave
If a worker suffers from an illness which is not work-related, he shall notify the employer
within 24 hours from his illness by any available means and the employer may put him under
medical examination in order to establish authenticity of the illness.
The employer is not allowed to deprive the worker from his sick leave.
Pay During Sick Leave
The maximum period of sick leave for non-professional diseases is 90 days for every year of
service and the worker shall be entitled for full pay for the first 15 days and half pay for the next
30 days.
Paid sick leave is not applicable to workers who are still under probation period, workers who
successfully completed the probation but their period of service after that is less than three
months and those who are appointed without probation period system.
Pilgrimage Leave
The worker is entitled for a one time pilgrimage leave of 30 days without pay during the years of
his employment contract.
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Source:https://www.abudhabi.ae/egovPoolPortal_WAR/appmanager/ADeGP/Citizen?
_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=p566&did=255698&lang=en(15/8/2013 at 10:20 AM)

Appendix B
Employment Contracts and Durations
An Employment Contract, as defined by the UAE Labour Law, is any agreement, either for a
limited or for an unlimited period, concluded between an employer and an employee. The
employment contract should state the starting date, type of employment, location, terms and
conditions, duration and the salary.
Worker transfer permit
It is the permit which allows a citizen or resident who is already working in the UAE to move
from one establishment to another.
Part-time work permit
This permit enables citizens or residents to take up jobs with fewer hours than normal
working hours of full-time employees who undertake the same jobs at the establishment.
Work permit for dependants
This permit allows dependants who are sponsored by one of their family members to undertake a
job.
Probation-Period
The probation period of the employee shall not exceed six months and shall not be extended for
another term. The probation period is optional and the employer has the right to dismiss the
employee during this period without a notice and end of service benefit. However, if the
employee successfully completed the probation period and continued in service, the probation
shall be calculated as part of his service.
Useful Tips
Once you have accepted a job offer, you may be asked to sign a copy of your contract in
Arabic as well as in English. Be sure to check the Arabic translation before you sign, as
this will be taken as the legal default if there is a dispute.
24

If you are sponsored by your spouse and wish to work, you will need to obtain a No
Objection Certificate (NOC) from him/her before signing a contract with your new
employer. Your employer will then apply for your labour card. This card is very
important; it is a valid form of identification and should be carried with you at all times.

Source:https://www.abudhabi.ae/egovPoolPortal_WAR/appmanager/ADeGP/Citizen?
_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=p566&did=20180&lang=en(14/8/13 at 11:58 PM)

UAE Labour Law

The Federal Law No.(8) of 1980, or the UAE Labour Law, is a comprehensive law that regulates
all aspects of labour relations between employers and employees.
Articles of the Law
The law outlines everything from employee entitlements (working hours, holidays, leaves, end of
service gratuity, workers compensation, etc.) to employment contracts, labour dispute
settlement, disciplinary rules, safety and protection and labour inspection, among others.
Article-27
Women may not be asked to work at night from 10 PM to 7 AM.
Article-37
An employee may be appointed for a probation period of not more than 6 months and the
employer can terminate his service during this period without giving a notice and end of service
benefits. An employee may not be appointed on more than one probation period with one
employer.
Article-38
The employment contract can be made for a limited period or unlimited period. In case of a
limited contract, it shall not exceed 4 years and may be renewed with mutual agreement once or
more for a similar or shorter period.
Article-65
The maximum normal working hours for adult employees is 8 hours per day or 48 hours per
week. In case of commercial establishments, hotels, restaurants, watchmen and other similar
professions, this period may be extended to nine hours a day by a decision of the Minister of
Labour. The normal working hours will be reduced by two hours during the holy month of
Ramadan.
Article-67
If the nature of job demands employing workers beyond normal working hours, the additional
25

time will be considered overtime and will entitle the employee for remuneration corresponding
to normal working hours, plus an additional pay of not less than 25% of the remuneration.
Article-68
If circumstances require that an employee works overtime between 9 PM and 4 AM, he shall be
entitled for remuneration of regular working hours pay, plus an increase of not less than 50% of
that amount.
Article-70
Friday is the weekly holiday for all employees except for daily wage workers. If circumstances
require that an employee works on this day, he shall be entitled for another day off or paid his
basic pay for normal working hours plus an increase of not less than 50% of that pay.
Article-74
Employees are entitled for an official holiday with full pay on the following days: one day for
Hijri New Year, Gregorian New Year, Isra and Miaraj (Accession day), Prophet Mohammad's
birthday and National Day, 2 days for Eid Al-Fitr and 3 days for Arafa Day and Eid Al Adha.
Source:https://www.abudhabi.ae/egovPoolPortal_WAR/appmanager/ADeGP/Citizen?
_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=p20160&lang=en(15/8/2013 at 00:40 AM)

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