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Tips for fitting in new Dubai job with an" Arab corporate culture"

31

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 12:36

I will be joining a new company in Dubai in a few weeks and would appreciate some tips from those who have been there/done that.. until now I've worked in a more western environment with a diverse mix of people, but the new job is with a heavily Arab/ethnic base .. as a women joining this company, any tips for do's and don'ts to get started off on the right foot?

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313

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 14:50

Just be yourself.....

993

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 14:33

I have heard that I have to be totally no nonsense, tough, and even borderline rude to my subordinates from day one to be taken seriously.. is this true?? Not necessarily. You may hear "advice" on how to make life **** for those under you so they "respect" you. People still think that respect is obtained by bullying people and not earning it. You have to be assertive from Day 1, if you give someone a task and they dont do it/update you, let it be known immediately so tasks dont disappear. Dont be rude, but yes, dont smile too much

1120

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 14:22

I have heard that I have to be totally no nonsense, tough, and even borderline rude to my subordinates from day one to be taken seriously.. is this true?? Yes, I think so. There are still many people with backwards mindsets who may not like having you as a manager or in a position that gives you authority over them. You don't need anyone to like you, persay, but you do need them to respect you. As someone already stated, you've been hired for a reason.

31

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 14:22

great advice Marroosh... def will do this, be formal and give instructions in a firm way.. another question, what about smiling? I have a tendency to smile a lot, even when I talk sometimes..but I have seen this totally misconstrued, even just when I am out and about in Dubai :\

2738

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 14:18

wow I like that Lolacat, count to 10 before speaking your mind! and I really appreciate the insight I am hungree, this is a local, private company as well.. so honestly the thing I am most nervous about with the new job is being able to interact and deal with my colleagues.. I will be in a managerial role and I plan to def dress conservatively and deal conservatively with ppl, but I am worried about other things, like automatically being perceived as "weak" because I am a woman, when in fact I have a very strong personality.. in usual work settings, I start off as friendly and warm (but def not chatty) and earn my colleagues/superiors' esteem over time by my work and professional contributions.. but in this type of setting, I have heard that I have to be totally no nonsense, tough, and even borderline rude to my subordinates from day one to be taken seriously.. is this true?? They have obviously employed you for this reason, will they back you up when the proverbial hits the fan, which it will at some point, well that's the question. "Yes i have done it", does not always mean yes i have done what you asked me to do, initiative can be a dangerous thing. lol Depends on who you are dealing with, use your most educated and open minded to help and communicate with. Figure out quickly who you have to work with, their back grounds and personalities. A chat with each can tell you quite a lot in a short time. In fact many times you may have to count to 50 or take a walk and come back to a situation, sit down have tea, have more tea and then bring the matter up having asked about other things. It can be a process.

Anonymous (not verified)

0

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 14:16

Just be formal, especially with men. Give instructions in a firm but respectful way, don't discuss not work related stuff, at least for now. As you said, dress conservatively, and don't extend you hand to men. You are right, for western people the hand shake is a sign of being polite. Here it's different. I get western men trying to shake my hand, perhaps because they see I'm European. I def don't shake hands though lol. Other than that, just be yourself!

31

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 14:09

see and the handshake thing -- we are all taught to always have a firm handshake and always offer a hand, here its like total opposite!! I didn't extend my hand during the interview and felt so strange!!

31

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 14:07

wow I like that Lolacat, count to 10 before speaking your mind! and I really appreciate the insight I am hungree, this is a local, private company as well.. so honestly the thing I am most nervous about with the new job is being able to interact and deal with my colleagues.. I will be in a managerial role and I plan to def dress conservatively and deal conservatively with ppl, but I am worried about other things, like automatically being perceived as "weak" because I am a woman, when in fact I have a very strong personality.. in usual work settings, I start off as friendly and warm (but def not chatty) and earn my colleagues/superiors' esteem over time by my work and professional contributions.. but in this type of setting, I have heard that I have to be totally no nonsense, tough, and even borderline rude to my subordinates from day one to be taken seriously.. is this true??

247

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 14:01

When in doubt, be conservative. Dress conservatively for the first few days till you get more comfortable with your new workplace environment. I would suggest not to offer your hand for handshake in the beginning, at least till you get the idea of how 'Arabic' your work culture is (I learnt it the hard way!).

2738

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 13:48

I will be joining a new company in Dubai in a few weeks and would appreciate some tips from those who have been there/done that.. until now I've worked in a more western environment with a diverse mix of people, but the new job is with a heavily Arab/ethnic base .. as a women joining this company, any tips for do's and don'ts to get started off on the right foot? Learn about cultural sensitivities asap, inc dress, what is ok to discuss, your place as a woman, ie hand shakes. How you look will without question decide how you are thought of. Learn to count to 10 before speaking your mind. Have fun!

1120

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 13:41

I think it depends if it's private or public sector, even predominately Muslim or Christian, etc., and how senior you are. Can't really generalize, but you probably have already gotten a taste of it from the interview and HR process.

25

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 13:37

Hi bennet, congratulations on the job! My first job in Dubai was with a local firm so I will share my experience. I hope I don't get slack for this but working with Arabs was a different experience for me than working with a western company. I feel this region in general still has to grow when it comes to work and office culture. My old company was a tight run ship and although I was in a post which had I been in a more western company would have been able to contribute more, my input was very limited especially creatively I felt I was shunned and on multiple occasions felt as though there was not much respect for what the women had to offer in the office (when I had joined there were 5 girls but by the end it was just me and one more girl). Was there for 2 years and was always pro active and brimming with new ideas but was more often than not dismissed. I didn't have a choice at that time to leave so I stayed until I finally got mentally tired and resigned without even having a new job because I just couldn't do it anymore. I'm NOT saying all Arabs are like this, this was just my experience and the work environment I was around. I hope that your colleagues will be more open minded and accept you as an equal and not as a weaker person and respect the ideas and input you have to offer. Attire-wise I guess just follow the usual guidelines of being decently covered and you should be fine (:

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