Making the most of Meetings
Business meetings often begin with a fairly
leisurely chit-chat. You'll find that Emiratis
tend to be proud of their country's fast
development. A question about Dubai's
latest projects is a good way to break the ice.
Make sure you keep it light though; it's
advisable to tread carefully when discussing
religion and politics. Few Emiratis will
welcome a critique of their system of
government from a foreign visitor.
Basic Arabic
Although expatriates can live in Dubai
quite comfortably without uttering a word
of Arabic, knowing a few handy phrases is
often well received and could really help
your cause.
Arabic is the official language in Dubai
but with such a richly diverse population,
English has become the go to language to
bridge international barriers.
Ramadan
Don't expect your office to close
for Christmas! See below how
your working day could be
affected during Ramadan.
More tips for meetings
Arabic phrase guide
Working through
Ramadan