Blacktower FM - Issue 18 - 2026 Magazine - Flipbook - Page 106
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E IDTIITOI O
C U LT U R A L I N T E G R AT I O N
observe halal dietary prac琀椀ces, which means certain
foods, such as pork, are forbidden, and meat must be
prepared according to halal guidelines. Avoid ordering
pork or non-halal dishes when dining with Emira琀椀
colleagues, as it can be considered disrespec琀昀ul.
direct or high-pressure tac琀椀cs, and give your host the
chance to share their views fully. If decisions aren’t
reached immediately, respect the process—Emira琀椀
professionals value though琀昀ul delibera琀椀on and may
prefer to reconvene for follow-up discussions.
Guidelines Around Alcohol: While alcohol is available
in many restaurants and hotels in Dubai, it’s advisable
to avoid ordering or consuming it in business se琀�ngs
unless your host does so 昀椀rst. In par琀椀cular, alcohol is
prohibited in Emira琀椀 homes, and you should never
bring alcohol as a gi昀琀. Even in more liberal se琀�ngs,
showing restraint around alcohol demonstrates
respect for the cultural context.
Tip: Bring a small notebook or a phone to jot down
notes discreetly, but avoid using your devices during
the meal. Taking handwri琀琀en notes if needed shows
you’re engaged without the distrac琀椀on of technology.
Being Mindful of Ramadan Observances: During
Ramadan, ea琀椀ng, drinking, or smoking in public
during daylight hours is prohibited for everyone,
including non-Muslims. If you’re dining with Emira琀椀
clients or colleagues during Ramadan, understand
that they may be fas琀椀ng un琀椀l sunset. Business meals
are usually planned around I昀琀ar, the evening meal
that breaks the fast.
Follow-up is an important aspect of Dubai’s business
culture, as it reinforces the connec琀椀ons made during
a meal and expresses gra琀椀tude for the 琀椀me shared.
Tip: If o昀昀ered alcohol in a business se琀�ng and you’re
unsure whether to accept, politely declining with
a simple “no, thank you” is perfectly acceptable. In
Dubai, respec琀椀ng personal and religious beliefs
around alcohol is seen as a sign of cultural sensi琀椀vity.
BUSINESS DISCUSSIONS AT MEALS: KNOWING
WHEN AND HOW
Business meals in Dubai o昀琀en blend social and
professional interac琀椀ons. While it’s common to
discuss business, the 琀椀ming and manner of bringing
up work topics require cultural awareness.
Allowing Small Talk to Lead: In Dubai, business
discussions are o昀琀en preceded by small talk and
personal conversa琀椀on. Take 琀椀me to engage in lighthearted topics and build rapport before shi昀琀ing to
business ma琀琀ers. Jumping into work discussions too
soon can be seen as impersonal, as the emphasis is
on rela琀椀onship-building.
Reading the Host’s Cues: In many cases, your host
will indicate when it’s 琀椀me to discuss business. This
cue could come a昀琀er the meal or toward the end of a
leisurely conversa琀椀on. If they don’t bring up business,
it’s wise to wait un琀椀l the end of the meal or un琀椀l a昀琀er
co昀昀ee is served to raise any work-related topics.
Pacing the Conversa琀椀on: Business conversa琀椀ons
may take on a relaxed pace, as Emira琀椀 professionals
o昀琀en prefer a pa琀椀ent approach to nego琀椀a琀椀ons. Avoid
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FOLLOW-UP ETIQUETTE: MAINTAINING
CONNECTIONS AFTER THE MEAL
Expressing Apprecia琀椀on: A thank-you email within
24 hours of the meal demonstrates respect and
apprecia琀椀on for your host’s hospitality. If possible,
include a personal remark about the meal or a
par琀椀cular dish you enjoyed. This gesture adds a
personalised touch and shows genuine interest.
Arranging a Future Mee琀椀ng or Follow-Up Call: If
the meal involved business discussions, men琀椀on any
agreed-upon next steps and express your enthusiasm
for the partnership. Avoid pushy language, and
instead, use polite phrasing to convey interest in
future collabora琀椀on.
Respec琀椀ng Cultural Prac琀椀ces Around Gi昀琀s:
While gi昀琀-giving isn’t mandatory, small gestures of
apprecia琀椀on are some琀椀mes welcomed. If your host
presents you with a gi昀琀, it’s polite to accept graciously
and reciprocate with a modest token. Keep in mind
that gi昀琀s shouldn’t be too extravagant, as they may
come across as insincere or transac琀椀onal.
Tip: Avoid follow-ups over social media unless
you’ve established a close connec琀椀on. Professional
follow-ups via email or formal business channels are
preferred for maintaining decorum and respect.
Dining with Emira琀椀 colleagues and clients o昀昀ers an
enriching opportunity to engage with Dubai’s cultural
values. By understanding tradi琀椀onal dishes, observing
dining e琀椀que琀琀e, and handling business discussions
with care, you can make a las琀椀ng impression that goes
beyond the meal. In Dubai, respect and apprecia琀椀on
for local customs help set the stage for strong
business rela琀椀onships, turning each shared meal into
a meaningful step toward mutual understanding and
successful collabora琀椀on.
