Ryan Nilsson Katelyn Hornecker

• Ryan Nilsson

• Katelyn Hornecker

• Lowyn Hardy

• Dominant language is Arabic

• Culture centers on Islam

• Patriarchal society

• Most people belong to the lower class

• The region’s income comes primarily from oil and gas

Some Nations led by a monarchy

• Some Nations led by a monarchy

• Lower-level politics influence day-to-day life

One God, called “Allah”

• One God, called “Allah”

• Prophets sent to guide humans

• Muhammad is the most recent prophet

• Based on five pillars

Might be hard for a women to do business

• Might be hard for a women to do business

• Men’s Dress: formal business & modest lightweight casual

• Women’s Dress: longer hemlines and sleeves

• Printed materials and videos may be offensive if women in revealing clothing

• Middle Easterners may not be punctual

• Doing business moves slow

• Developing personal relationships is key

• Socializing and discussing “unrelated” topics can take days
• Personal continuity; don’t change company reps

During Ramadan

• During Ramadan

• Annual, month-long fast
• In most Middle Eastern countries it is illegal for even foreigners to consume food or water in public between dawn and dusk
• Business hours limited

• Friday is holy day of the week

• Between 1 pm and 3 pm

Shake with the right hand

• Shake with the right hand

• Drink the small, bitter coffee in one shot

• Unless the host encourages it avoid direct acknowledgement of Muslim women

• Leave your alcohol at home

• Avoid humor

Respect hierarchy and address senior executive; maintain eye contact

• Respect hierarchy and address senior executive; maintain eye contact

• Use a technically sharp presentation

• Remember that Middle Easterners read from right to left

• Allow for significant time for bargaining

• Prepare and understand audience

Browaeys, M.-J., & Price, R. (2008). Understanding Cross-Cultural Management. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.

• Browaeys, M.-J., & Price, R. (2008). Understanding Cross-Cultural Management. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.

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• Cuno, K. M. (2010). Middle East. Retrieved May 15, 2010, from World Book Advanced: http://0-www.worldbookonline.com.darius.uleth.ca/advanced/article?id=ar360160&st=Middle+East

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• Gerner, D. J., & Schrodt, P. A. (2008). Middle Eastern Politics. In J. Schwedler, & D. J. Gerner, Understanding the Contemporary Middle East (pp. 85-135). Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc.

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• King-Irani, L. (2008). Kinship, Class, and Ethnicity. In J. Schwedler, & D. J. Gerner, Understanding the Contemporary Middle East (pp. 309-344). Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc.

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• Manners, I. R., & McKean Parmenter, B. (2008). The Middle East: A Geographic Preface. In J. Schwedler, & D. J. Gerner, Understanding the Contemporary Middle East (pp. 9-36). Boulder: Lynne Rinner Publishers, Inc.

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• Robinson, T., Rodrigues, H., Linville, J., & Harding, J. (2006). World Relgions: A Guide to the Essentials. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.

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• Spellberg, D. A. (2005). Gale Virtual Reference Library. Retrieved May 15, 2010, from Gale Virtual Reference Library: http://0-go.galegroup.com.darius.uleth.ca/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=RELEVANCE&inPS=true&prodId=GVRL&userGroupName=leth89164&tabID=T003&searchId=R1&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm¤tPosition=1&con

• Harris, P. R., Moran, R. T., & Moran, S. V. (2004). Managing Cultural Differences. Ansterdam: Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann.

• Laroche, L., & Boulby, M. (2001, January). Doing Business in the Arab World. CMA Management , pp. 53-54.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bspFbFytRiM

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bspFbFytRiM