Cultural Etiquette and Norms for Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia

Do you intend to work in Saudi Arabia as a domestic worker? If you’ve already arrived and are embracing the novel experiences and obstacles that accompany relocating to a different nation, then worry not! We’ve provided some fundamental guidelines for local customs and etiquette in this post to aid in your quicker adaptation. We know how difficult it can be to acclimate to a foreign environment that is drastically different from your native country.

Faith and convictions

All Saudis follow Islam, which dictates every aspect of their personal, political, economic, and legal existence. Islamic origins are in Saudi Arabia, and as such, millions of Muslims travel there annually. The majority of Muslims in Saudi Arabia are Sunni, however there are significant populations of Shiites on the east coast and other smaller sects close to the Yemeni border.

Muslims are required to pray five times a day: 

1. In the morning, at midday, in the afternoon, at sunset, and in the evening. Every day, the precise times are announced on television news and in the local newspaper.
2. For Muslims, Friday is a sacred day. All of the doors are closed. Since Thursday is a holiday for many businesses, Thursday and Friday are considered the weekend.
3. All Muslims are required to fast from sunrise to sunset and are only permitted to work six hours a day during the holy month of Ramadan. Eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing gum are all prohibited during a fast.
4. It’s not necessary for expats to fast. They are not permitted to chew gum, consume alcohol, smoke, or dine in public, though. Once you are familiar with the fundamental legal and cultural guidelines, you may begin your job hunt on job boards like Layboard.

Significant events/secular celebrations

1. The month of Ramadan comes to a conclusion on Eid al-Fitr. The Islamic lunar calendar causes the date to fluctuate annually. if we are able to take a 10- to 14-day break.
2. On Eid al-Adha, sometimes referred to as “the day of sacrifice” in English, an animal is sacrificed in honor of Abraham and the Hajj pilgrimage comes to a close. Usually lasting three days, many individuals take a rest during the Hajj season.
3. Saudi Arabia’s National Day is September 23.

Family

1. The family and tribe form the cornerstone of the social system.
2. Saudis are aware of their background, clan, and extended family in addition to their immediate family, as evidenced by their naming practices.
3. Saudis are very serious about their obligations to their families.
4. Large families are the norm, and extended families have tight relationships.
5. A person’s family provides support during difficult times and access to a social network.
6. Nepotism is viewed positively since it suggests that hiring individuals you know and trust is crucial. You can adjust to society more quickly if you are aware of the fundamental customs and behave appropriately toward family, friends, and coworkers. Several resources, including https://layboard.in/vacancies/jobs-in-saudi-arabia/speciality/house-maid, can help you locate the ideal specialization fast.

Class division in society

In Saudi society, there are social divides mostly between natives and foreign laborers. The top of the hierarchy is occupied by Saudis, then other Arabs, then European expats, and last Asian expatriates, who are typically involved in hard labor. Saudis themselves differ slightly from one another in terms of tribe membership, Sunni/Shia, geography (rural vs. urban), and educational attainment.

It goes without saying that Saudis with royal family ties are powerful and influential. Economic obstacles are surmounted by shared attitudes, ideas, and practices; familial and religious relationships also play a role.

Gender expectations

1. State and culture support strict gender segregation.
2. The only contexts or settings in which males and females are observed together are families.
3. A woman may work, but typically in settings that are exclusive to women, like government agencies, colleges, or schools.
4. A large proportion of Saudi women are unemployed.
5. Men are granted greater legal privileges than women. For instance, women could not travel without a male guardian’s consent or supervision and were not permitted to drive until 2018.
6. Women may, however, spend their own funds in commercial ventures and possess real estate in their own names.
7. Women have a far higher position in families since they are viewed as the primary caregivers and pillars of the household.

Socialization

Over the past 40–50 years, Socialization has undergone a dramatic change in Saudi Arabia. In the past, mothers would give birth at home and then raise their infant there with the help of family members or a nurse. This ingrained language, culture, and religion.

These days, a maid or domestic helper has a lot of responsibility for parenting kids. Because of this, children nowadays grow up speaking English and picking up cultural norms and morality from foreigners—typically Filipinos or Sri Lankans, for example.

Finance

Since its discovery, Saudi Arabia’s primary revenue source has been oil. All of Saudi Arabia’s basic foods, including rice, cotton, cardamom, sugar, tea, coffee, and tea, were produced there prior to the discovery of oil. Sheep, horses, dates, and camels were the main exports.

Nowadays, it imports the great majority of its manufactured goods and staple foods, producing virtually little else other than minor agricultural products. Religious travel to Mecca and Medina, as well as the yearly Hajj pilgrimage, provide Saudi Arabia with a little amount of additional revenue.

Conventions for naming

A person’s name can reveal a lot about their background and place of origin. In Saudi Arabia, they are highly esteemed, and a large deal of individuals can name their great-grandfathers by memory.

The structure of each name is the same: first name – father’s name – grandfather’s name – son or daughter’s name – surname / generational / dynastic surname. A man might be called Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abdullah al-Saud, for instance. Thus, this is Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, who belonged to the al-Saud tribe. The female will have the same structure, but bint will be used in place of ibn; so, Maryam bint Ali Al-Ahmadi is Maryam, the Al-Ahmadi tribe’s daughter of Ali.

Saying hi and getting to know one another

Men greet each other with handshakes. After shaking hands, close friends may give each other one or sometimes three cheek kisses. It is usual to extend a handshake beyond what is expected in Western culture. Women typically give close friends hugs and kisses, and they frequently shake hands or put their hands over hearts when conducting business.

Unless they were related, men and women would not greet each other in public. Foreigners are exempt from this. Saudis take their time greeting one another and converse about everyday topics.

Mode of communication

The necessity to maintain one’s dignity, honor the Prophet Muhammad, and adhere to the Sunnah, or his example, tempers Saudi communication style. They will constantly seek to save face, if it’s theirs or somebody else’s, because in Saudi culture, being impolite, offending someone, or appearing disrespectful is worse than dying.

Consequently, you will notice a generally cordial, easygoing, and indirect communication style. Saudis, particularly when interacting with outsiders, have a tendency to say “yes” to almost everything and “no” to very little. They can, however, be extremely straightforward with those who are beneath them in the hierarchy.

Rarely do people have emotional outbursts, and when they do, it usually means they are dealing with major issues. Particularly between close friends or coworkers, it is typical to witness highly focused disputes with a lot of angry body language. Since everyone is aware that the conversation is absurd, this is seen as passion and interest in the subject at hand.

Saudis enjoy showing off to their visitors. This should be received with a cheerful and kind attitude, and ideally responded in the same manner. You will frequently be asked extremely private questions about your family or way of life, This is a show of curiosity rather than being obtrusive.