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Arab Customs & Etiquette
Social customs and etiquette across the Arab world - greetings, hospitality, gift-giving and visiting - with clear do and don’t guidance.
Sample customs
السلام عليكم
As-salamu alaykum
Literal: Peace be upon you
The standard greeting in Arabic-speaking cultures. It is both a greeting and a prayer for peace. The response is وعليكم السلام (wa alaykum as-salaam - and upon you peace).
Usage: Used as the primary greeting in all Arabic-speaking countries, among Muslims and in many mixed settings. It is appropriate for formal and informal contexts.
Do
- Always respond to the greeting with وعليكم السلام at minimum
- Greet first - the one who greets first is considered more virtuous
- Use it when entering a room, meeting someone, or arriving anywhere
- Add ورحمة الله وبركاته for a more complete and respectful greeting
- Use it in phone calls and messages as well
Don’t
- Never ignore the greeting when someone says it to you
- Do not mumble the response - say it clearly
- Do not confuse it with مرحبا (marhaba) which is more casual
المصافحة والتقبيل
Al-musaafaha wal-taqbeel
Literal: Handshaking and kissing
Greetings involve handshakes between men, cheek kisses between close friends and family. Gender-specific customs apply based on religious and cultural conservatism of the setting.
Usage: Physical greetings vary by country and religiosity. In conservative settings, opposite-gender physical contact is avoided. In more liberal settings, handshakes and even cheek kisses between genders occur.
Do
- Shake hands with same-gender individuals as standard greeting
- Follow the other person's lead on cheek kisses - right, left, right is common
- Place your right hand over your heart after shaking hands as a sign of warmth
- Wait for a woman to extend her hand first if you are a man in conservative settings
- Greet elders first in any group
Don’t
- Do not extend your hand to a woman in conservative religious settings unless she extends hers first
- Do not grip too hard - a moderate handshake is preferred
- Do not rush through physical greetings - they are meaningful social rituals
- Do not skip greeting someone in a group - greet everyone individually
القهوة العربية
Al-qahwa al-'arabiyyeh
Literal: Arabic coffee
Arabic coffee is a symbol of hospitality and honor. The coffee ceremony, especially in Gulf countries, follows specific protocols regarding serving order, cup handling, and refills.
Usage: Served to guests upon arrival, during business meetings, at celebrations, and in daily family gatherings. The way coffee is served communicates respect and social hierarchy.
Do
- Accept at least one cup when offered - refusing is considered rude
- Receive the cup with your right hand
- Drink in small sips - Arabic coffee is strong and served in small cups
- Shake or tilt the cup gently when you have had enough
- Accept dates or sweets served alongside
- Compliment the coffee to honor the host
Don’t
- Do not refuse the first cup entirely - take at least a sip
- Do not serve yourself before the guest or elder
- Do not fill the cup completely - fill only one-third (filling it full is a sign you want the guest to leave)
- Do not use your left hand to receive the cup
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