A graduate of Canterbury University with a PhD in criminology, Dr. Nicholas Janitsary founded New Dimension Group as a global consultancy that helps clients strategize in the areas of business development and business culture. Based in Singapore, Dr. Nicholas Janitsary often travels for work throughout Asia and the Middle East.
People in other countries generally appreciate it when foreigners observe their rules of etiquette when visiting. When in the Middle East, both men and women should dress modestly. Specifically, women are advised to wear a headscarf, in keeping with regional customs.
Good manners extend to such typical tourist activities as taking pictures. Out of respect, always ask before snapping a picture of another person, especially a woman. Many Bedouin, a people who hail from the Syrian and Arabian Deserts, believe that photographs steal the soul, so it is best to ask. Another good rule of thumb is to avoid taking pictures of government personnel or locations they appear to be guarding.
Carrying along trinkets helps when haggling with vendors in a souk, or “outdoor marketplace.” Vendors enjoy bartering and may cut prices when guests bring gifts, such as a pack of cigarettes, because exchanging gifts changes the dynamic of the relationship from customer-vendor to friend-friend.
