Greeting

Qatar is a multinational state where people from a wide range of cultures can be found. The largest population group—about 40%—is made up of Arabs. There are also people from India (18%), Pakistan (18%), Iran (10%), and other Arab countries. The proportion of Qatari nationals, the indigenous population of the country, is relatively small—around 12%.

Due to this ethnic diversity, various cultures coexist in Qatar, each with its own forms of greeting. However, in the business environment, the traditional form of greeting is a handshake, which is usually exchanged between men.

Physical contact between the sexes is generally not accepted due to strong Muslim traditions in the country. Foreign women should wait for the man to initiate a handshake before extending their hand in greeting. The same applies to foreign men, who should observe the woman's behavior in such situations before offering a handshake.

Sometimes, as a gesture of greeting a woman, a man places his hand over his heart and slightly bows his head while smiling. This is considered an alternative (non-contact) form of greeting of women in both business and social settings.

A handshake is always accompanied by a verbal greeting commonly used in the Arab world: “As-salamu alaykum,” which means “Peace be upon you.” The proper response is “Wa alaykum as-salam,” meaning “And upon you be peace.”

The entire greeting procedure among locals is generally quite formal and fairly lengthy. In addition to a handshake, people may clasp each other’s arms at the elbow or shoulder, exchange cheek kisses (a light cheek-to-cheek touch), or even touch noses (“nose rubbing”). The latter is reserved only for close friends.

During greetings, as well as any business conversation, it is important to maintain eye contact with the other person. However, this applies only to interactions between men. If a woman is present in the conversation, a man should avoid making direct eye contact with her, staring, or complimenting her appearance or clothing.

Foreigners should not imitate traditional Arab greeting customs when interacting with their Qatari counterparts. Such gestures are only appropriate once close business or even friendly relationships have been established.

Introduction

In official, formal, and business settings—especially during initial interactions—the accepted form of address is Mr (for men) followed by the first name, not the surname, for example: Mr Omar. The same applies to women: Mrs Aisha. Surnames in Qatar are primarily used in written correspondence.

Titles, ranks, and academic degrees are very important. When meeting a high-ranking government official or a member of the ruling family, the correct form of address is Your Excellency. If you are meeting a sheikh who holds a formal title or rank, it is important to use that title, especially in written communication.

If the rank or academic degree of your Qatari counterpart is unknown (or if they do not have one), use polite forms of address such as Mr, Ms, Mrs, or Miss, followed by the person’s first name.

If your counterpart has a doctoral degree, you should address them using the title Doctor.

In Arabic names, you may often see the words “ibn” and “bint”—for example: Mohammed Khalfan Bin Kharbash or Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. “Bin” means “son of,” followed by the father’s name, and “bint” means “daughter of,” followed by the father’s name. Sometimes, an additional generation is mentioned (the grandfather), but the current trend is to include only the father's name. The surname typically appears at the end of the full name.

Exchange of Business Cards

In Qatar, exchanging business cards is a common practice—almost everyone has one. It is advisable to always carry a sufficient supply of business cards with you.

A business card should include a standard set of information: your first and last name, job title or position, company name, and all relevant contact details. The mobile phone number is particularly important (though it is recommended that women avoid including it).

If you hold an academic degree or professional title, or have a qualification such as engineer or doctor, be sure to clearly display this on your business card in a way that draws attention. Such credentials are highly valued in Qatari society.

The text on the business card should be in both Arabic and English. When handing it to your Qatari counterpart, the “Arabic side” should face upward.

Typically, business cards are exchanged after introductions and greetings, with the guest initiating the exchange.

There is no specific ritual for handing over business cards in Qatar. Bear in mind that like all documents and papers, business cards should be offered and received with the right hand, not the left.

Small Talk: Overview

A business conversation in Qatar is typically preceded by small talk, which serves as a kind of prelude to the actual negotiations. For Qatari businessmen, it is important to get to know their potential partner better, as building relationships is the foundation of any business. These informal conversations help establish a sense of trust, which is a crucial concept in the Arab world.

Do not rush through the small talk in an attempt to get to business matters quickly—doing so may cause your project to end before it even begins. Show genuine interest in your counterpart—their interests and preferences, such as sports or travel. Be natural, friendly, and sincerely engaged.

When communicating, especially in the company of older people, it is important to be as polite and respectful as possible. Arabs generally hold guests in high regard and expect the same respectful treatment when they themselves are guests.

During the conversation, avoid asking general questions that require a simple “yes” or (especially) “no,” particularly if your question can be interpreted as a request. Your Qatari counterpart may agree out of politeness, even if they are unwilling to fulfill the request. Instead of giving a direct refusal, they may politely but vaguely agree. It’s important to pick up on non-verbal cues that reveal their true intentions. The tone and warmth of their response—whether enthusiastic and expressive or distant and cautious—can serve as an indicator.

Preferred Topics

Positive remarks or compliments about Qatar, its landmarks, and famous buildings or structures are always well received.

Especially appreciated are favorable comments about Qatar’s achievements, including its economic growth, prosperity, and its oil and gas industries. Sincere praise of this kind will be valued by your Qatari counterpart.

Sports, particularly local football teams, are also a good topic of conversation.

Safe general topics include weather, sports (especially equestrian sports), entertainment, cars, travel (including desert safaris), and more.

International events that are widely discussed and non-controversial can also be good conversation starters.

Taboo Topics

Controversial topics, especially political statements, should be avoided.

Religion and anything related to Islam is a rather sensitive subject and is best not brought up in conversation.

Do not ask personal questions during a first meeting, such as about your Arab partner’s family or children. Such topics may only be discussed after a considerable amount of time has passed and the relationship has become closer and more trusting.

Under no circumstances should you ask a colleague from Qatar about his wife, not even general questions, such as whether she works or what her profession is.

Do not bring up topics related to the status of women in Qatar or societal attitudes towards them.

Alcohol and various brands or types of alcoholic beverages are taboo topics.

Personal Space

The comfortable distance for communication varies depending on the gender of the participants. Men tend to stand quite close to each other during conversations, but this distance increases significantly when a woman is involved in the discussion.

People in Qatar actively use body language during communication. Physical contact, including prolonged handshakes and holding the arm near the elbow or shoulder, are common gestures. However, this applies only to men — under no circumstances should a man touch a woman.

Remember the “right-hand rule”: pass by someone on their right side, greet the person on your right first, and always hand over documents with your right hand.

If you are sitting at a low table or on the floor during an event, pay attention to your posture. Your conversation partner should not see the soles of your shoes — this is considered very rude, even insulting, as feet are regarded as the dirtiest part of the body.

Communication Specifics

This Arab country is characterized by extraordinary cultural diversity. In business settings, you may encounter people with various cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, and educational levels. It is important to be mindful of your language and avoid any evaluative comments that could unintentionally offend someone.

Qatari speech is not typically direct. On the contrary, their expressions often carry underlying meanings shaped by factors such as the relationship between speakers, their social status, and the context of the conversation. Implicit messages, specific gestures and facial expressions, tone of voice, and culturally nuanced word meanings all play a significant role.

It is important to understand that Qataris may sometimes say what they believe others expect or want to hear, rather than expressing their honest opinion directly. This behavior stems from the long-standing tradition of Arab families living together in close-knit communities, where maintaining harmonious relationships on a daily basis was essential.

Since in Arab communities personal or family ties often overlap with business ones, this indirect and often highly nuanced style of communication has also become typical in the business sphere.

Such hidden meanings are well understood within Arab society. However, foreigners will need time to learn to recognize and respond to them appropriately. Therefore, during communication, it is advisable to gently and tactfully clarify what your partner has said.

In Qatari culture, as in many other Arab countries, emotional and expressive speech is highly valued — it is often quite loud and accompanied by active gesturing. In contrast, a quiet and unexpressive speaking style is perceived as insincere. Often, how something is said is more important than what is said.

The exchange of compliments among Arabs is not unusual. They frequently and elaborately praise one another. If a foreign businessman receives a compliment, it is expected that he will respond appropriately — that is, by offering a series of complimentary remarks in return. It is important to note, however, that under no circumstances should Arab women be mentioned in such statements.