Please tell me how to greet properly in Saudi Arabia, I'm going to Khobar this month,do they shake hands, bow?

Answer 1

Salaam alaykum .. this is the proper greeting.. means "may peace be upon you"...
if you are a male, and especially a westerner, just offer to shake hands. The Saudis do the "kiss the air besides the ear" method upon meeting friends, but this might be a bit personal for you.. You can just take the lead of the person you meet..
Never though offer to shake a hand of a lady.. You can just politely overt your eyes and say modestly. Salaam to her.. But if you are at a business meeting and there is a western minded Saudi executive female, she might offer her hand to be shaken in western style.. I myself am of Aramco oil company family.. We've worked there for years. and there are many women executives there, they act just like they do in any western business situation.. You sort of just have to see how the other person does first.. but a good offer of your hand to the men will always be acceptable...
Welcome to Khobar.. "lil' America" as we call it here!

Answer 2

Bow?
looooooool you are going to Khobar not Agrabah !!

Hand shake is proper and sufficient.

I agree with *nono, women generally don't shake hands with men so don't be offended if they don't reciprocate.

Kissing is not advisable unless it is someone close like a friend though the hand shake is usually enough.

Answer 3

shake hands with males only. if there was a female companion to the group u are seeing, don't shake hand with the female unless she took the initiative or she was an expatriate. Kissing between men is normal but limited to very close males such as old friends or very dear business associates.

Answer 4

The better way of greeting is shake hands.

Answer 5

Only shake hands. Tip: Don't be insulted if a women refuses to shake ur hand.

Answer 6

Most Arabs kiss their business partners on both cheeks upon meeting, especially if its an important person