Modern business culture in the Middle East is globalised, as Mikhail Tugin, client relations specialist at NSV Consulting, points out. One of the most important cultural characteristics is the reverential attitude towards people of a higher age and position. A new team member should therefore first introduce themselves to the company’s most senior employees. The process of getting to know an Arab team is practically no different from that in other cultures. Act as usual.

Fridays are a flexible half day, so it is better to schedule meetings in the first part of the day. Government employees are allowed to work at home on Fridays.

For federal agencies, the workday starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 3:30–4:00 p.m

In private companies, the workday starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m

The birthday culture in Dubai is similar to that in the West. “Usually companies congratulate their employees with a cake and have a short 15-minute celebration,” said Mr Nasseri, a businessman who works at the DIFC.

It is worth noting that “corporate parties” are not really widespread, except in the private sector, without being tied to specific holidays, Mr Tugin said. Exceptions can be major religious holidays, such as the end of Ramadan.

For companies in the Middle East, it is common to organise classic team-building activities such as a joint lunch or a meeting with colleagues even on days off, says Mr Hilal.

Workplace friendships are certainly welcome in the Middle East, but are not additionally encouraged, says Mr Tugin.

According to Vera Surzhenko an independent communications coach, it is appropriate to use the following greeting: Dear Mr (Mrs, Ms) + name (for C-level or clients), Dear + name (for a colleague)

Kimberly Washington, executive vice president of Deep Space Biology & founder of Space4Girls, recommends using the following greeting for others:

• for senior government appointees (ex: ambassadors, government ministers): Your Excellency (abbreviate for H.E. or His/Her Excellency)
• for princes and princesses: Your Royal Highness
• embassy staff: Counsellor + full name

If the person holds Sheikh title, but is not a government minister, ambassador, or prince, then one should address them: Sheikh + full name

Discussing a standard project with a colleague or client using a set procedure, it’s okay to be more specific and set shorter deadlines, says media manager Dr Alzubaidi. In other cases, it’s better to avoid strict short deadlines.

It’s better not to give a colleague an exact deadline because that might make a manager seem too pushy, Mr Tugin said. However, if a deadline is necessary, plan the time with a reserve and state the exact day and hour by which something should be done.

Business letters should be as precise as possible, said Mr Tugin. Informal work letters for colleagues, for their part, must use simple wording and not too many polite phrases.

Should you be the first one to ask for a meeting? How late is too late and rude? These ones and more questions are answered below.

During a business meeting, you should not refuse the tea, coffee or water offered, says Kristina Tantsyura, managing partner of SKY Consulting Group. Exceptions are the holy month of Ramadan, when, on the contrary, it is inappropriate to ask for drinks or food at a meeting during the day, as the Arabs themselves observe fasting and do not drink or eat anything from dawn to dusk.

note: during the holy month of Ramadan, the suggestion to meet in a café can be taken as an insult, says Mrs Tantsyura.

If you want to be taken seriously, dress business-like, recommends Mrs Tantsyura. Whether you wear jeans and a shirt or a suit depends on the occasion. Do not come to a business meeting in the UAE in shorts, T-shirts and other casual clothing. This will not help to make the meeting less formal, but may cause confusion.

Although in other countries it is considered acceptable to be 15 minutes late, you should not be late, said Mrs Tantsyura. However, an Arab colleague may be late, but in this case you should not scold your counterpart or make serious remarks, even if they are very late.