United Arab Emirates

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Country guide

United Arab Emirates Business etiquette and meeting customs

Asia/Dubai

What kind of meeting?

Moderate punctuality

A few minutes late is tolerated, but let people know if you'll be later.

Meeting Culture

Recommended duration60+ min
Communication StyleFormal, relationship-driven
Greeting StyleHandshake (same gender) or salaam

Daily Schedule

Work Hours08:00 – 17:00
Breakfast07:00 – 08:00
Lunch12:30 – 13:30
Dinner20:00 – 22:00
Sleep23:30 – 06:30

Tips for Meetings

For the kind of meeting you chose above.

Dress Code

Business formal, modest, kandura accepted

Tone

Formal, relationship-driven

  • ·Schedule around five daily prayer times
  • ·Arabic coffee and dates are served — always accept
  • ·Building personal trust precedes any business discussion
  • ·Use your right hand for greetings, eating, and passing objects — the left hand is considered impolite

General Tips

  • ·Building trust is more important than punctuality
  • ·Respect prayer times — 5 daily prayers
  • ·Business is conducted over meals and coffee
  • ·Ramadan significantly affects work schedules

Cultural Notes

  • ·Weekend is Saturday-Sunday since 2022 (Friday is a half-day)
  • ·Ramadan significantly affects schedules

Meeting someone from United Arab Emirates?

Find the best time

Cultural information is for general guidance only and may not reflect every individual's practices.

See something inaccurate? Let us know