Using Key Cultural Factors developed by Edward T. Hall, I explore the fundamental differences between these two cultures. Our experiences of the world vary greatly depending on the culture we are a part of. Understanding the basics of other cultures helps us communicate and form better relationships.

1. SAUDI ARABIA
Cultural Differences of
MOTAZ HAJAJ &
Charis Intercultural Training

2. Culture as an Iceberg
Many cultural differences are obvious, while others are rooted deeply within.
SEX ROLES
MUSIC & ART
GIFT GIVING
BUSINESS PRACTICES
GESTURES
LANGUAGE
DRESS
FOOD & DINING
PERSONAL SPACE
HOLIDAYS
COMMUNICATION STYLES
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
TIME ORIENTATION
ASSUMPTIONS & ATTITUDES DECISION-MAKING METHODS
PERCEPTION OF SOCIETAL LAWS
LEARNING STYLES
VALUES, BELIEFS & NORMS

3. HIGH CONTEXT VS.
LOW CONTEXT
Communication Styles

6. High Context Low Context
Different levels of
rank or position are
respected at a
meeting, with junior
employees rarely
speaking up
Negative
feedback can
be quite
direct
Resources such as a help desk or internet
browser are the first place to go to have a
question answered
Business plans are introduced with market
research, rational logic, or facts to interest
the listener
Everyone at a meeting
is expected to
contribute by speaking
up, regardless of
status, gender or
seniority
Before a mid-level manager can commit, he
must go through many layers of gaining
permission, approvals and building
consensus.
When a person
wants to say “no”
to refuse work or
decline an
invitation, but feels
it will hurt the
relationship, he can
say “yes,” “I’ll try,”
suggest an
alternative or
remain silent

7. High Context
Taking the time to get to know
someone allows effective
communication.
Overt conflict is avoided.

8. When you have spoken the word,
it reigns over you.
When it is unspoken,
you reign over it.
Saudi Proverb

9. MONOCHRONIC
VS.
POLYCHRONIC
AttitudesTowardTime

11. Monochronic Polychronic
For an 8:00 meeting,
they arrive at 7:55
and wait for others to
arrive
Family and friends
are asked to use their
influence to find jobs
Meetings and business lunches do not have
fixed beginning or ending times
Decisions take a long
time, but that doesn’t
cause impatience
because the
stakeholders have a very
long term view.
When interrupted, they stop what they are
doing to help the person right away
When interrupted,
they check the time
and schedule a time
to talk later
When they know
they can’t make
the deadline, they
give their boss as
much notice as
possible.
When they can’t meet a
deadline, they work long
hours and may not finish
on time.
People extend
themselves to
do favors, pay
for things or
help a person
because they
believe it will
increase their
network.
To show their
integrity when
borrowing
something or
receiving a favor,
the item is returned
as soon as possible.

12. INDIVIDUALISM
VS.
COLLECTIVISM
View of Identity

14. Collectivism- Family Comes First
The importance of relationships in
Saudi Arabia cannot be
overstated.
Belonging to a group (or tribe) is a
matter of economic and social
survival.
Loyalty to family takes
precedence over personal needs.

15. POWER
DISTANCE
View of Authority

17. Power & Hierarchy
Most of the Arab world has:
• An unequal distribution of
power
• A low degree of disagreement
with authority
• Class differentiation based on
position
• A tendency for autocratic
decision-making

19. Want more information on Saudi
Arabian Culture?
Saudi Arabia
+1 925 931-0555
Connect with us to learn how to work across cultures.
Motaz Hajaj
ChessTag
motaz@chesstag.com
United States
Marian Stetson-Rodriguez
Charis InterculturalTraining
info@chariscorp.com
@motazhajaj

20. THANK
YOU
Information in this presentation is based on Edward T. Hall’s Key Cultural Factors