Bahrain Culture Tips
+ Bahrain was one of the first countries in the Gulf to discover oil and build a refinery, thereby becoming wealthy before most of its neighbors.
+ Bahrain is one of the few Gulf countries where nationals represent the majority of the population. Many Bahrainis are of Persian rather than Arab descent, (73,000 according to Wikipedia).
+ The country’s population is majority Shi’a and minority Sunni, representing the two primary sects of Islam. The ruling family is Sunni.
+ Bahraini’s view time as something that is fluid and adjusts to changing circumstances. The expression “insh’allah” literally means “If Allah wills it”, and is an explanation for much behavior. Personal relationships are so important that they take precedence over strict adherence to time.
+ While women are more publicly active in Bahrain than in most Middle Eastern countries, it is still important to establish a businesswoman’s credentials to avoid any misconception about her role. To do so, it’s a good idea to forward a brief bio including academic background, title, and professional accomplishments.
+ A personal introduction can open doors that might otherwise be closed. Bahrainis prefer to do business with those whom they have a personal relationship. A letter of introduction from someone they know allows you to be treated with the respect and trust of the other person.
+ As Bahrainis judge people on appearances, it is a good idea to stay in a high standard international hotel when traveling for business. Wearing good quality, conservative clothes marks you as someone of status. They respect education; mention if you have an advanced degree from a prestigious university, without appearing to boast.
-from RW3′s CultureWizard® Country Profiles
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