International Communication
An international business communication report based on the assumption of doing business to United Arab Emirates
Researched and Presented in UCI IBOM class
4. BACKGROUND GEOGRAPHY
• Capital: ABU DHABI
• Official languages: Arabic
Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
• Religion: Islam
Muslim 94%, Christian, Hindu
• Currency: UAE dirham (AED)
• Electricity: 220/50Hz (UK plug)
• Country code: +971
• Time Zone: UTC+4
• Population: Emiratis 20%
50% from the Indian Subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh)
15% other parts of Asia (Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka)
5-6% Western countries (Europe, Australia, America)
5. BACKGROUND DUBAI
• The transport and commerce center of the UAE
• Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert
• Citizens of the U.S. may obtain a free visa on arrival valid
for 30 days
Established in December 1971
A federation of seven emirates
6. BACKGROUND TRANSPORT
CAR:
- The UAE has modern road system
- Have road from Saudi Arabia in the south and Oman in the east
- Rent or drive require an international driver's license
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
- building extensive Metro, monorail and tram networks
- also invest heavily in the local bus network
7. BACKGROUND FOOD
• Traditional food: been rice, fish, and meat
• Popular beverages: coffee and tea
• Alcohol:
- Only allowed served in hotel restaurants and bars
- All nightclubs are permitted to sell alcohol
- Specific supermarkets may sell in separate sections
- It is illegal to be intoxicated in public
8. BACKGROUND ARAB MANAGEMENT STYLE
Directive and Paternalistic !
The boss is the “father” and the employees are the “children”
9. BACKGROUND ARAB TEAMS
Strongly hierarchical cultures
Work vertically rather than horizontally
Consisted of extended family members
10. BACKGROUND ARAB COMMUNICATION STYLES
Offer compliments to your host
Good and Strong eye contact
Questions about marital status, children, religious convictions
and personal wealth are commonplace
12. DO’s & DON’Ts DO
Use SUNGLASSES and SUN CREAM
as sunburn and heat can be unbearable
Change your money only from AUTHORIZED MONEYCHANGERS or
BANKS in Dubai
Make sure you have a VALID PASSPORT and VISA to enter any
emirate of UAE.
Indulge in some HAGGLING while buying goods without price tags
whenever you go shopping in UAE.
Always be careful of the belongings you carry with you.
Taking of photographs can be sensitive
ASK permission first and avoid secure areas
13. DO’s & DON’Ts DON’T
Do not PHOTOGRAPH Muslim women, airports, docks,
telecommunications equipment, Government buildings,
military and industrial installations
Don't SWEAR - > as you can get fined and sent to jail
Don't use your LEFT HAND while greeting or handing
over things to people
Don't TOUCH anyone's head -> Offensive
Avoid TIGHT and EXPOSING clothing
14. DO’s & DON’Ts UAE DRESS CODE
Avoid tight and exposing clothing
Please wear respectful clothing
Shoulders and knees should be covered
16. TOP 5 TIPs TIP 1
Meetings can often appear unstructured with
no (or little reference to) agenda
• In Arab culture you don’t exist until you’re on the ground
• Weekends are Friday/Saturday, with Friday being a worship and family day.
• Also consider checking your emails on Sundays when it’s the beginning of
the week here.
17. TOP 5 TIPs TIP 2
Meetings will not always start on time
• Levels of lateness can vary from a few minutes up to more than an hour
• Try not to arrange too many meetings on the same day as lack of
punctuality
• Don’t be surprised if you don’t manage to set up (too many) meetings
before arriving and keep some time to be flexible and open to last minute
arrangements.
18. TOP 5 TIPs TIP 3
In meetings, it’s not rude to check their phone
• people will check their emails, pick up their phone, walk in and out, don’t
be put off or think they are being rude!
• It would be rude not to respond their phone , it might be urgent!
• In most cases, don’t even bother to leave a voicemail on an office phone
• People are not picked up and hardly ever returned
• Make sure you always get a mobile number – it’s not rude to ask
19. TOP 5 TIPs TIP 4
Don’t take ‘yes’ to mean ’yes’ every time
• It could be being used as a delaying tactic
• Always find a solution so that people don’t lose face
20. TOP 5 TIPs TIP 5
Never lose your temper
• Don’t show that you are frustrated or upset
• Stay calm and friendly
• Even if you think it’s going nowhere
• Even if you have the feeling of going in circles
• Be firm but look for compromise and offer solutions