Personal relationships are very important. They are the key of 【S1】__

doing business in Arab countries. Try to identify the decision-maker

regarding as your product or service immediately and get to know him 【S2】__

on a friendly basis. Do your homework. Be prepared to discuss details

of your product or proposal. Be ready to answer technical question. 【S3】__

Familiarize yourself to the Moslem and national holidays. Avoid a 【S4】__

visit during Ramadan, the Moslem month of fasting. Most Arab countries

have a six-day workweek from Saturday through Thursday. When matching

with the Monday to Friday practice in most Western 【S5】__

countries, it leaves only three and a half workdays shared. Remember

this in planning your appointments. Moslems do not eat pork. Some are

strict about the religion's prohibition for alcoholic beverages. If 【S6】__

you are not sure, wait your host to suggest the proper thing to drink. 【S7】__

When an Arab says yes, he may mean "maybe". When he says maybe, he

probably mean "no". You will seldom get a direct "yes" 【S8】__

from an Arab because it is considered impolite. Also, he does not want

to close his options. Instead of "no", he will say "inshallah", which

means "if God is willing". On the other hand, "yes" does not necessary 【S9】__

mean "yes". A smile and a slow nod might seem like an agreement, but in

fact, your host is being polite. An Arab considers it impolite to agree 【S10】__

with a guest.

【S1】