Travel Etiquette
Saudi Arabia
Currency
Riyal
Official Language
Arabic
Dress
Modest clothing is key in Saudi Arabia. Do
not try to adopt their traditional dress, as
this may be considered offensive.
Concealment is the goal of clothing in
Saudi Arabia. Skirts should be well below
the knee or ankle length and necklines
should be high. Men should not wear
jewelry and women should keep a scarf
handy to cover their hair if necessary.
It is common to remove your shoes before
entering a building, so make sure your
shoes can be slipped off easily.
Meetings
Your host may excuse themselves
from a meeting for 10-20 minutes for
daily prayer.
Gifts
Gifts in Saudi business are not necessary.
Hand Gestures and Body Language
Do not point or eat with your left hand as
it is considered unclean.
Men may walk down the street hand in
hand as this is considered a sign of
friendship.
Do not cross your legs when sitting and
never show the bottoms of your feet.
The “thumbs-up” sign is obscene in
Saudi Arabia.
Formalities
Do not discuss the subject of women, not
even to inquire about the health of a wife
or daughter.
