Saudi Arabia

The significance of this picture is very strong knowing that Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country and daily prayer is a huge aspect in the religion. In Islam, prayer is key and nothing should come before it. There are set times in which muslims pray, five times a day, and in Saudi Arabia, all shops and businesses shut down for prayer. Due to the fact that there are set times for prayer, and prayer must always come first, you must assure that you never set up a business meting or anything during these prayer times for it will be considered rude for you are interrupting there prayer, when conducting international business with Saudi Arabia. The differences in the Canadian culture compared to the Saudi Arabian culture in terms of prayer time is that Saudi Arabia shuts down all their businesses to perform prayer. While on the other hand Canada never for any reason shuts down their businesses for their isn't a common belief between the people. This may not create any opportunities, but rather create challenges for companies involved in doing business internationally. This is because it can cause some conflicts or issues, because when doing business internationally its difficult to conduct business meetings due the differences in the time zones, and this just adds to the difficulty.

The image displaying the track mark of a boot represents the sole of a shoe. The symbolism behind this is to illustrate the fact that it is considered an insult to show the sole of your shoe to a parson in the Saudi culture. The reason behind this is because the bottom of a shoe is considered unclean and it is taking to offense when it is shown. A way this can affect international business between Saudi Arabia and another nation is that if there is ever a face to face meeting set up between you and the Saudi's counterpart, and you mistakenly show the sole of your shoe, that can decrease the chances of continuing business with them for you have unknowingly disrespected them. This is also the challenges that companies may face when doing international business with Saudi Arabia. The difference between Canada's culture and Saudi Arabia's culture in this case is that in Canada it is okay to show the sole of your foot when crossing your legs for example when seated, but in Saudi Arabia that would be considered an insult.

If you don't already no, Saudi Arabia is a 100% muslim country. In Islam Friday is a holy and religious day. In the Saudi culture, Friday is given as a holiday for people to pray and practice islam instead of working. That is exactly what the image represents, where people take Friday's off to pray and get closer with god as we see the man along with thousands praying in unity. The ways this cultural factors influences international business is that you must make sure that you change your business schedule to make Friday a holiday if you plan on expanding your business to Saudi Arabia. The cultural difference between Canada and Saudi Arabia is that Canada doesn't have a "religious day" as the population is mixed with so many different religions, but Saudi Arabia does, which gives them a weekend one day ahead than we are used to. This can create possible challenges for you will have to change your business schedule to make sure that every Friday is a holiday and that Sunday isn't.

When knowing that Saudi Arabia is a 100% muslim country, almost all of the people who live there fast during the month of Ramadan for it is compulsory in Islam. This picture shows a group of muslims about to break their fast in the mosque which symbolize the beliefs of muslims that all of Saudi Arabia follows. During the month of Ramadan, everything slows down in Saudi Arabia, all businesses close down early, they cut down on employees ect. This is all because it may be difficult to continue daily activities during the fating times. When doing international business, that is one thing that you must consider, noting that you'll most likely have make changes to your business schedule if you ever expand your business to Saudi Arabia during this time. The difference in culture is evident, Canada as a nation doesn't practice what is done during the month of Ramadan, while Saudi Arabia does. One thing to keep in mind as well is to never eat in front of anyone who is fasting, for that is considered rude. Say for example you have a business meeting set up in Saudi Arabia during the month of Ramadan, and there are refreshments set up for you, even then you should not take eat or drink any of those refreshments in front of the Saudi counterpart for they are most likely fasting. This can create opportunities for companies doing business internationally for they can take advantage of the fact that all businesses in Saudi Arabia slow down during this time, so their business can stand out from the rest, if they choose to expand during this time. This can also create challenges for companies as well for they will most likely have no choice but to follow the culture of Saudi Arabia and possibly slow their businesses down and fast with nation, for it may be considered rude if they don't.

As we see in the picture, we can assume that the man and women seem relatively comfortable standing side by side each other discussing business related ideas. In Saudi Arabia's culture business women cannot meet with business men without a male in her party, or cant meet with them at all in many public places. The way this cultural factor affects international business is that, it may cause many difficulty for business to occur between two countries, for example, if a business women from Canada wants to do business in Saudi Arabia, it most likely will not happen for she wont even be aloud to have a meeting the the male counterpart in Saudi Arabia The key difference in culture between the two countries is that women are a strong part of the business world in Canada but the same can not be said in Saudi Arabia for all the limitations put on women in that country. This can cause many challenges such as business not occurring between the two countries for half the gender in looked upon worthy to do business. This can also create opportunities for business in Canada make Saudi Arabia aware that women can do a lot for a business if they are just given a chance.

In Saudi Arabia, business women, along with every other women are expected to wear an abaya. Indoors, there clothes should be loose and cover their collar bone, elbows and knees. This can affect how business is conducted for women are going to have to change they dress in order for business to occur. The key cultural difference is that business women dress very different in the two countries. In Saudi Arabia women are not allowed to wear any revealing clothing what so ever, but in Canada you are allowed as long as it is appropriate in a business setting. This can create some challenges for all business women and workers will be forced into wear the Saudi Arabian attire, which may be difficult for some.

In the Saudi culture it is key that you never use your left hand to shake someone's hand, or even use it to hand someone or receive something. The way this influences international business is that if there is ever a face to face meeting set up, the counterpart from the Saudi businessman must ensure to keep this cultural difference in mind for it might be taken as a sign of disrespect. The key cultural difference is, is that in the Canadian culture it is okay to give or receive something using any hand, but in the Saudi culture, you must only use your right hand for things like this, because the left hand is used for other use when going to the washroom for example. This can create come challenges, for if you mistakenly use your left hand in any one of these cases, it can jeopardize your chances of business going through.

Saudi Arabia

Doing Business on Fridays

Businesswomen

Using the Right Hand

Time of Prayer

Melina, A. (2003). Muslims in prostration in Syria (online image) Retrieved November 13, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salat

Handshake Shaking Hands PartnersHandsBusiness(online image).(2013) retrieved November 16,2014 from http://pixabay.com/en/handshake-shaking-hands-partners-148695/

Man Woman Tie Suit Black Business Negro People (online image). (2013) Retrieved November 16, 2014 from http://pixabay.com/en/man-woman-tie-suit-black-business-158378/

Mansuri,A(2003).Supplicating Pilgrim at Masjid Al Haram. Mecca, Saudi Arabia (online image). Retrieved November 13, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque

This image illustrates a small group of muslim men praying together side by side in the bowing position.

This image displays two people formally shaking hands using there right hand

This image displays a man and women side by side, possibly talking in business clothing

This image displays a man along with thousands of others gathered and praying for Friday prayer

The month of Ramadan

Women Clothing

Showing the sole of your shoe

Footprint Tracks Boot Shoe Sole Hiking Trekking (online image) November 13, 2014 from http://pixabay.com/en/footprint-tracks-boot-shoe-sole-155457/

Iftar in Istanbul Turkey(online image). (2002)Retrieved November 14,2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan#mediaviewer/File:Iftar_in_Istanbul_Turkey.jpg

This picture is very self explanatory, displaying a track mark of a boot,

Manal al-Shraif(online image). (2011) Retrieved November 16, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manal_al-Sharif#mediaviewer/File:Manal_al-Shraif.jpg

This image displays two men setting up dinner for the locals at Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey so they can break their fast.

This is a picture of a muslim women wearing a Hijab and abaya