The Saudis, being reserved and careful in their dealings, entertain business at home. Most business deals are negotiated and clinched at their homes. However, in order to suit other customs, it is not uncommon to invite them for business entertainment in hotels or restaurants. This is particularly if they are dealing with non-muslim foreigners. When they travel to other countries for business negotiations, they will be comfortable if you invite them to your home.

Such business entertainment is not taken by the Saudi to mean success of business negotiation or to influence a business negotiation. It remains just that, entertainment. So if invited to a lavish entertainment by a Saudi just before the proper negotiation, one should not consider the deal clinched, it usually turns out to be the opposite. Likewise, if you organize a lavish entertainment to a Saudi just before negotiation, he/she wont take it as a big deal, it will remain as such.

The Saudis have a way of dealing with business negotiation failure. One rarely notices any change in their attitude or behavior. A business negotiation is just that, it is not mixed with any other issue. You will find a Saudi with whom you are not in good terms embracing you as if there is nothing between you two. On the other hand, the fact that you are well acquanted with a Saudi does not mean that you stand a higher chance of clinching any business deal with him/her. Those are two different issues that are dealt with differently.

Tipping in hotels and restaurants is a common practise the world over, and the Saudi are not left out. They offer good tips if the service is exceptional. The Saudis have a dislike for the left hand. It is considered unclean. It is very rare to find a Saudi offering or giving out something using the left hand, unless he/she dislikes you as well. Using the left hand is the most rudenness one can show. Eating and doing things the right way is by the right hand, unless one was created left-handed, the work of Allah is unquestionable.

Sharing of meals, especially in one's house shows closeness and trust that a Saudi bestows on his visitor. This shows that the Saudi has total faith in the visitor unreservedly. This is also true to other countries of the world except, of course, the western world where sharing a meal remains just that. And, in any case, it is rare for a westerner to invite you to his/her house for a business negotiation and a shared meal!

The sacrosantity of Saudi ladies is unquestionable. They literally keep off any person they consider not to have an open mind. A lot of carefullness is necessary when negotiating with a Saudi lady, or else the negotiation collapses fast. Saudi ladies generally abhor flattery. However, they are open and participate in discussions and negotiations effectively.

While the Saudi may seem reserved, they are quite easy and interesting to have any business negotiations with, especially if you know and understand the details of your discussion or negotiation.