The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a fascinating country that includes the larger than life city of Dubai, the government and banking powerhouse of Abu Dhabi, and the serene ocean views of Fujairah, as well as five other unique emirates.

In addition to glittering cities, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers a melting pot of cultural influences through its vast expat community and unique “Middle East meets West” business climate. If it weren’t for the desert and Emirati national dress (women wear the black Abaya robe and Shela headscarf to cover hair and body, men wear the distinguished Kandora robe or dishdash which varies from white to brown depending on the season and the Guthra scarf), you may think he was doing business in any major Western city.

Don’t be fooled by the seemingly casual and unassuming business climate. Emiratis (UAE nationals) are proud, family-focused people who take great care in selecting business partners and friends. Before traveling to the United Arab Emirates for business, follow these smart strategies:

• Leave the travel books in the library. Visit websites and blogs to get the “real” information you need. While travel books and tourist information can provide an overview, the information is often out of date and too formal. Visit websites like: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates and blogs like: grapeshisha.blogspot.com/ to get the real “flavor” of the country and its people.
• Get an Arabic tape or find a person who speaks Gulf Arabic to teach you basic phrases. In the business world of the UAE, almost everyone speaks English and you are likely to be greeted in English. You will make a great impression if you return the greeting in Arabic and continue to greet people by saying, “as-salaamu ‘alaykum” (spelled phonetically). Once there, ask to learn one new phrase a day and practice using the new phrases often. What better way to show your host and business associates that you’re making a long-term commitment to your relationship?
• Pack business clothes that cover as much skin as possible (especially for women). Compared to other countries in the Middle East (such as Saudi Arabia or Iran), the United Arab Emirates is more open and informal when it comes to dressing for business and vacation. During your stay in a hotel, you will see a wide range of outfits. Don’t let this lead you to believe that it is socially acceptable to wear clothing that shows too much skin in the general public. Men find it easier, as business suits are perfectly acceptable when visiting clients. For women it can be a bit more complicated. If you are visiting a Western business and run efficiently by expats, you will see a much more casual business dress code. Women are more likely to wear skirts (no pantyhose), short-sleeved shirts, and tops that are sometimes low-cut (even by American standards). Avoid this “misstep” and dress conservatively in a business suite with long pants, closed-toe shoes, and a blouse or shirt that doesn’t show skin beyond the collarbone. A pashmina scarf is a great addition to a backpack as it can be used to cover both the head and the body when needed. You never know who you will meet and respecting the culture of the UAE and its people should be your number one priority.
• Leave the alcohol at home. It may seem obvious that you shouldn’t bring alcohol into a country where it’s illegal to drink in public (except in hotels), but it bears repeating. While it is legal to bring a certain amount from the duty free store, avoid it as any mishandling (even if unintentional) can lead to serious repercussions (such as jail time and deportation). When dining out with business associates, avoid drinking alcohol even if other Westerners do.
• Learn about your host’s business, family, and experiences. Today, finding information about a person is just a “Google” away. Remember to do your research before you go. Emiratis build long-term business relationships with people they consider friends. By showing a genuine interest in them, their business, culture and country, you will find it easier to connect. Look for things such as where you went to school, employment history, political and government commitments, and published writings and ask additional questions where appropriate.