UAE
Etiquette
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Meeting People
Most Emiratis do not develop personal relationships with expatriates that extend beyond the workplace. For the most part, the Emirati culture is hidden from expatriates, although this is changing as the culture moves away from its Bedouin roots and embraces international influences.
Although women play a greater role in UAE society than in other Gulf countries, they seldom socialize with men in public.
Greetings are generally between members of the same sex. They are given with a sense of enthusiasm and general pleasure at meeting you or seeing you again.
Men shake hands. Good friends may greet each other with a handshake and a kiss on each cheek, starting with the right.
Women generally hug and kiss close friends three or four times on alternating cheeks.
When Emiratis greet each other they take their time and inquire about the person's health, family, and business success. Greetings are important and are never rushed.
Each person is greeted individually and should be said farewell to individually when departing.
Naming Conventions
Emirati names detail a person's paternal lineage.
The first name is the personal name. It is usually taken from the Koran or a paternal grandparent. People are generally called by their first or personal name.
The second name is the father's personal name.
The third name is the grandfather's personal name. If it is a name that denotes the family lineage, the name will start with the prefix "al-".
