Customs & Etiquettes

General

If you’re invited to the home of an Arab, you should always accept. You should generally take every opportunity to become acquainted with local people and avoid the natural tendency to stay within the social and physical confines of your foreign ‘ghetto’. Your Arab host will be interested in you and your views. However, you should avoid politics and religion as subjects for discussion; your opinions might be regarded as ill-informed or even offensive, even if they seem acceptable to you from a western perspective.

You should accept refreshment whenever it’s offered, but note that you should always use your right hand for drinking and eating, as the left hand is regarded as unclean (as it’s used for ‘toilet purposes’). Similarly, you should avoid showing the soles of your shoes or feet, which implies that you think the other person is ‘dirt’, which is obviously highly offensive. You should therefore keep your feet flat on the ground and not cross your legs.

You should also never call at an Arab’s house without warning him that you’re coming. If the women of the family are present, this won’t be appreciated. You should also avoid expressing admiration for any of your host’s possessions, as tradition dictates that he must then offer it to you. Although this tradition isn’t followed by everybody, it can nevertheless cause embarrassment. What’s more, the correct response is for the recipient to give an even more valued gift in return, so think twice before admiring an Arab’s Rolls Royce!

Pointers

Don’t offer alcoholic drinks to an Arab, unless you’re certain that he drinks alcohol. This can cause great offence.

Don’t walk on a prayer mat or in front of any person at prayer and try not to stare at people who are praying.

Don’t try to enter a mosque without first asking permission. It’s unlikely that you will be allowed in.

Avoid blasphemy, particularly in the presence of Muslims. Remember that there are many non-Gulf Arabs working in Bahrain, who aren’t always as relaxed or tolerant as locals are.

Avoid putting an Arab in a position where he might suffer a ‘loss of face’ in front of other Arabs. He will appreciate this, if he notices your action.

Don’t beckon to people with a finger, as this is considered particularly impolite. Arabs might use such a gesture to summon a dog.

Avoid shouting and displays of aggression or drunkenness at all times, as such behaviour is rarely tolerated.

During Ramadan, don’t eat, drink or smoke anywhere where you can be seen by Muslims during the hours of daylight and don’t engage in any noisy behaviour or embrace or kiss anyone in public.

Don't discuss business at a social occasion.

Under no circumstances should you slap a Bahraini on the back.

Don't try to schedule meetings in July and August as many Bahrainis leave the country during the worst of the summer heat.

Don't use only the first name until expressly invited to drop the titles.

Leisure Tips Bahrain

Customs & Etiquettes

General

Pointers

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