Different Business Approaches Between Romanian and Arabic Culture

ARABIC CULTURE

Many westerners say that Arabic society is temporarily bound only on the income of petrol but in fact the Arabs are very aware of the civilization that was once led by them, based on beliefs and taking into consideration their way of thinking to be morally repeated. Religion is what influences mostly the attitude in social, politics and business. Your own personality status conveys in the Arabic world through social class and facts that do not intervene in breaking honor. Interesting to say the modern world of Arabic is keeping up with the technology and techniques such as the western world, but also trying not to destroy old and valuable traditions.

It’s important to know that talking about your integrity, leaves a good impression from an Arab, getting full respect as a loyal person. A friend is a tricky word to use, because it’s not just a regular person who you enjoy having good company, it’s someone that can never refuse a request and vice-versa. They always have a tendency to talk a lot about their family and acquaintances which kind of shows their each individualistic character.

One of the traditions you could say for its culture is the difference between men and women. As a man you have more priority but as a woman is more delicate, such as anywhere she will go in public, mostly referred as public space of men, women have to wear a veil that covers the whole body up until only the eyes can be seen. Arabic women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, they can travel and go shopping of course, but only at places in which is not exclusively for men. Western women are allowed to wear anything that is traditional and appropriate from their side of culture.

Other characteristics about the Arabic culture is the arranged marriages that are strictly taken care of the higher ups. In general, these are very stable and has a mutual ground of respect one another. Pork is considered taboo for the Arabic people compared to the westerns.

The most important fact to be always taken into consideration when it comes in contact with an Arab or its family, is to avoid any situation that they consider offensive or harmful. An example would be the alcohol consumption, indecency outfit, hyperbolic behavior towards women that are allowed to be met and being challenged of their Islamic essentials.

From the very beginning when you discuss with an Arab, you need to keep in touch more often with him rather than a British or a German. If you keep a distance, the Arab will think that his presence is not pleasant or you are not a caring person. Arabs also like being praised of their country, arts, clothes and food, so do not hesitate to applaud them for such, but this is not valid for women.

Keep in mind though, not to show any indifferences in yourself and do not refuse to accept favors. This is a benefit which will bring good trust because your Arab connection will ask the same in return. Since the family tree is an important capital in Arab life, you need to pay close attention to all members of the family. It’s good to hold an interest for their well-being and happiness for their brothers, uncles, cousins and sons. It’s simple tactic to get their affection and loyalty from their part of the bargain.

ARABIC CULTURE IN BUSINESS

Arabians are more relaxed in business, such as they like to take their time when it comes to social occasions or business meetings that do not require to start or end at a fixed hour. When talking about business, you always have to show a powerful and personal implication on the approach given to them. Once you actually want to make business, get close into ending a deal with a certain persona instead of always having a keen personal interest.

If an Arab praises about his relations or interconnections, this means he wants to demonstrate the value of personal relations, and if his uncle for example is an important influence at a governmental department, he awaits to see you delighted thinking this will help promote the business. A behavior in which is easily noticeable, would be their way of giving bad news to you when it comes business, it’s always hard for them, so pay attention into seeing a gloomy mood.

In the western culture we all know that when it comes to a meeting with a business man, you usually wait for them in a room where the secretary informs you to stay, this is a normal thing for most of our countries, but in Saudi Arabia people escort you directly into the office to talk with the partner in mind.

Here lies a small problem to which occurred a lot in the past, meaning your tone is what matters in a conversation. Do not expect for you to be the only one in the room, actually expect to be many other Arabs that are trying to communicate with the boss about future business, the only way to get his attention is by raising your tone high enough that he takes your ideas into consideration also. Do not think that once you got his attention, he started ignoring others around him, he will listen to 4 to 5 speakers at once and your effort might not be of his best interest.

The only way to get any proposals accepted is by getting as close as possible to him, talk as much as you can about the ideas, do not be modest otherwise your effort is irrelevant, always have your paperwork ready and do not hesitate.

Arabs admire a lot the preparation and ability from other countries which are less arrogant as opposed to Americans, French and British.

What is important for the Arabs would be to provide a real interest of their culture, praise and flatter them instead of criticizing, get a general intellect based on their religion, dress up nicely, accept and do any favors they might ask, show a decency of respect towards the elderly and traditions, also be very flexible and relaxed all the time.

In conclusion, even though there are extreme differences between the Western and Arab culture, there are pretty favorable chances to get a good impression if you respect what you have learned so far.