Communication in Eua

Western corporations have extended their operations to the UAE. Consequently, some problems can arise because many expatriate managers cannot adjust to such a foreign environment. Hence, many projects are likely to fail. However, adequate expatriate preparation can reduce or even prevent expatriate failure. Cross-cultural training intends to assist expatriates enhance their knowledge and skills, which in turn can help the expatriate practice in an unfamiliar host country and to be more productive.

There are significant cultural differences in UAE between local culture and Western cultures. If we are looking to move to the UAE, we should be aware of cultural differences and working environment in the region.

If you live in Latin America, the Arab part of the Middle East, or sub-Sahara Africa, you live in a polychronic culture.

Attitude to time

With polychron people, it is acceptable to be late, and sometimes it is even desirable to come not too soon. Polychrons consider a schedule to be less important than interpersonal relations. So they will, for example, be glad to stop what they are doing to talk to someone, or take a phone call, or to send email. During a business meeting, a business partner can hang his phone and interrupts the conversation, although polychrons like to handle more than one task at a time. To a polychronics, all time is the same, and they tend not to separate their work time from their personal time.

The importance attached to courtesy and hospitality can cause delays that prevent keeping to a strict schedule. It is therefore customary to make appointments for times of day rather than precise hours.

And we can see that in launch time. For example, in my family, when I invite people and I told them that dinner will start at 8h00, they come at 21.30. They are really not respectfull towards schedule. 3

Power distance and hierarchy

Arabic countries are more collectivist, and loyalty is an important element. For example the...