Hello all,

Arrived in Dubai and started new job this week. All was going OK until i totally embarrassed myself today................ We had a project meeting with a mixed bunch of customers / contractors of all nationalities, all male except me.

I started introducing myself and shaking hands with everyone and when i came to the Emirate guys they made it very clear they did not want to shake hands with a women. I was completely mortified and felt incredibly ignorant and embarrassed that i might have caused offense.

I'm going to be working a lot with these people, and people from Japan, India and all over the place, and obviously want to have a good working relationship with them and hopefully earn their respect.

Can anyone give me any tips / let me know of any other cultural faux pas i should avoid!!!

Thanks,

Rachatron