Blacktower FM - Issue 18 - 2026 Magazine - Flipbook - Page 81
D II TT II O
ON
N
L EDGUABCAYI EE D
C U LT U R A L I N T E G R AT I O N
HIERARCHY AND RESPECT:
RECOGNISING AUTHORITY
Hierarchy is important in Emira琀椀 culture,
and this o昀琀en translates into the
workplace, where seniority and rank are
respected. Mee琀椀ngs and introduc琀椀ons
may follow a par琀椀cular order, with
deference shown to senior execu琀椀ves.
In mee琀椀ngs, senior leaders o昀琀en ini琀椀ate
the discussion, and their perspec琀椀ves
are given due considera琀椀on.
Do: Recognise and respect the
hierarchy in mee琀椀ngs, giving senior
members the opportunity to speak
昀椀rst. When introducing yourself, use
琀椀tles and full names, and extend this
courtesy to others by using their 琀椀tles
when addressing them.
Don’t: Interrupt or speak over a senior
colleague. In cases where mul琀椀ple
levels of authority are present, it’s best
to defer to senior members to lead
the discussion, especially in the ini琀椀al
stages of a mee琀椀ng.
HANDLING BUSINESS
CARDS: THE FORMAL
EXCHANGE
Business
cards
hold
signi昀椀cant
importance in Dubai’s business
interac琀椀ons, and the way you present
or receive a business card can leave
a las琀椀ng impression. Cards are
typically exchanged at the beginning
of a mee琀椀ng, and receiving one with
both hands and studying it brie昀氀y is
considered polite.
Do: Present your business card with
both hands, and take a moment to
look at any card you receive as a sign
of respect. Ensure your card is in good
condi琀椀on and contains accurate, up-todate informa琀椀on.
Don’t: Pocket a business card
immediately without looking at it, as
this may come across as dismissive.
Avoid placing it in your back pocket, as
this is considered disrespec琀昀ul. Instead,
keep it in a dedicated cardholder or in a
safe place.
MODESTY AND
PROFESSIONAL
BOUNDARIES
Modesty extends beyond a琀�re and into
professional interac琀椀ons, par琀椀cularly
when engaging with colleagues of
the opposite gender. While Dubai
is mul琀椀cultural and professional
interac琀椀ons are common, respec琀椀ng
cultural norms around personal space
and modesty is essen琀椀al.
Do: Maintain a respec琀昀ul distance
in conversa琀椀ons and use respec琀昀ul
language. A slight nod or a hand over
the heart may be a suitable gesture if
a handshake isn’t o昀昀ered by an Emira琀椀
professional, especially in interac琀椀ons
between men and women.
Don’t: Ini琀椀ate physical contact unless
you’re certain it’s appropriate. In some
cases, men and women may avoid
shaking hands, and it’s best to wait
for your Emira琀椀 colleague to o昀昀er a
handshake 昀椀rst.
GIFT-GIVING ETIQUETTE:
WHEN AND HOW TO OFFER
A GIFT
Gi昀琀-giving in Dubai can be appropriate
in certain circumstances, such as
holidays or when a business rela琀椀onship
has been well established. However, it’s
best to avoid extravagant or personal
gi昀琀s, as modesty and though琀昀ulness
are key.
Do: If o昀昀ering a gi昀琀, keep it modest
and ensure it aligns with local values.
Suitable gi昀琀s might include quality items
like tea sets, sweets, or leather-bound
notebooks. For business occasions,
small corporate tokens are generally
acceptable.
Don’t: Give overly personal items
or alcohol, as these may not be well
received. If invited to someone’s home,
a small token like dates or chocolates is
appreciated, but extravagant gi昀琀s may
be seen as inappropriate.
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