Brunei

Greetings

Man greeting Man – Firm handshakes with the right hand are the most common form of greeting. They are usually not to prolonged. Many people use a two handed handshake when greeting and departing

Woman greeting Woman- Two kisses on the cheek if they are acquainted, but if not, a gentle handshake using both hands, or just a slight nod of acknowledgment will do

Greetings between Men & Women - While handshakes are a common form of greeting, many times a simple nod or slight bow will do as many men and women generally do not engage in physical contact. To be sure, let the woman offer her hand first.

Note: It is taboo for religiously observant men to touch women and vice-versa.

Communication Style

• Bruneians tend to favor an indirect style of communication.
• People are rarely direct especially when handling sensitive topics, or when a superior is talking to his subordinates in the office environment.
• Navigating the communication styles does require some creative speaking and listening techniques, for example, many times things are expressed in a question form even when one is really expressing a statement.

Personal Space & Touch

• The appropriate amount of personal space tends to be approximately at arms’ length. When conversing with friends and family this distance is usually a bit less.
• Amongst friends and close acquaintances of the same sex, there is some light touching during conversation.
• It’s best to avoid touching between members of the opposite sex while conversing.

Eye Contact

• Eye contact is important but not crucial. Some conversations between male and females have very little eye contact due to religious reasons. However, most people maintain direct eye contact to signal interest
• Staring is extremely rude and should be avoided.

Gestures

• Pointing is done by using the thumb. Using the forefinger is considered impolite, and using the mouth/lips is considered uncouth.
• Always present and receive items with your right hand.

Views of Time

• It is quite common knowledge that most everyone is pretty much always late. But being late is definitely not a virtue, and people certainly get criticized for it.
• Buses and other services are not punctual per se but are “approximately” on time.
• In business or social situations, everyone is required to come earlier than the guest of honor. It is important to never let the guest wait. But for the guest of honor in the particular function, it is not uncommon for them to arrive “fashionably” late.

Gender Roles

• Bruneians value equality and work opportunities for women are equal as men.
• Women nowadays are expected to have a job and in many families, it is not uncommon to hear that the women earn more than their male counterparts due to them possessing higher educational qualifications. Women however, are not allowed to hold specific responsibilities, such as being an Imam to lead prayer, when a man is around, or become the kingdom’s ruler.
• Women are also forbidden to play soccer, following the State Mufti’s Friday sermon saying that it is a contact spot that is too rough and promotes defeminizing of women. However, futsal (indoor soccer) is still acceptable, and so are many other kinds of sports.
• Foreign women have more freedom with daily attire compared to local women, where it is more acceptable for foreign women (especially Caucasians) to wear revealing clothes such as short skirts and sleeveless tops and dresses. However, Bruneians tend to respect those who choose to wear more “coverage”.

Taboos

• Clapping during religious functions is considered a big faux pas.

• Extreme physical contact and public displays of affection between male and female is considered obscene due to the country’s religious background. While holding hands is considered common practice, kissing, or being overly affectionate is not.

• Being overly loud in private conversations is considered rude, as is pushing and engaging in bodily contact while queuing up for lines.

• Staring is extremely rude and should be avoided.

Law & Order

• Brunei is a “dry” country and alcohol is not sold anywhere. However, one may consume it in the privacy of their own homes.
• There is no smoking age enforced, and penalties for the possession of illegal drugs tend to be harsh and heavily enforced, ranging from the death penalty to many many years in jail without pardon, mostly accompanied with extremely heavy fines.
• Immigration laws are strongly enforced for foreigners overstaying their visas.

• When driving on the road, be aware and take note of traffic police asking you and all other drivers to pull over to the side because that usually means the Sultan, or the Crown Prince is about to pass by.

Dress

• For Men- It depends on their position (and temperature in the building), but they generally wear proper shirts, tailored pants and matching ties. In the Ministry of Religious Affairs and other government building like the Syariah Court, it is compulsory to wear the national dress for men. For foreigners, conservative colored suits with shirts and ties. Jackets are not a must but good to have just in case. Being well groomed is appreciated.
• For Women- Women have more variety in clothing options than men. Those in the government sectors are required to wear the national dress of baju kurong with a headscarf. It is rare to see business suits and in government offices, but in private offices they are acceptable, with or without the headscarf. The non-Muslim are encouraged to wear the headscarf but it is not compulsory. For Muslims, the headscarf is compulsory and required. For foreigners, conservative skirts (below the knee), pants, suits, and blouses are appropriate. Avoid short, tight fitting, and sleeveless attire if possible. Being well groomed is appreciated.
• Jeans and casual-wear is not common and is considered a big faux pas.

Titles & Business Cards

• For Doctors and people with PhDs, it is customary to refer to them with their titles. The rule also applies for teachers, who are referred to as “Cikgu” even if he/she already changed profession.
• Careful also when addressing people with “Pehin”, a title granted to them by the Sultan, at the beginning of their names. They should be addressed as “Pehin” (pronounced pee-heen)
• For anyone with a “Haji”, “Hj” (men), “Hajah” or “Hjh” (women) prefix to their names, it is a sign of respect to refer to them as Haji (men) or Hajah (women). The prefix denotes that they have done the holy pilgrimage to Mecca.
• It is unusual for people to be called by their last names.

• When presenting or receiving business cards, always use your right hand. This applies to anything you give or receive anything from anyone.

Meetings

• Punctuality is highly valued so it is best to arrive on time for meetings or even a few minutes early.
• Meetings are usually preceded by a short prayer and some small talk. Meeting agendas are common and usually followed quite carefully.
• Meetings tend to take a lot of time, and are usually followed up by another meeting.
• There is a common euphemism; MIB (which stands for Meeting Inda Beranti) loosely translated as Non-Stop Meetings.

Gift Giving

• It is not common practice to give gifts in a business setting as they are generally seen as a bribe of sorts.

In the Classroom

• Universities classes usually run from August-November and then January-April. In between the terms there is a lengthy semester break of 1 month. And when the two semesters are over there is a three month long “summer” vacation from May to July.

• Officially, the dress code is the national dress, complete with headscarf, but many students come to classes in various clothes. The key here is to dress smart and clean.

• Grades are given on a scale of A-F, with F being the failing grade.

• The form of teaching depends on the subject. The humanities course generally require more discussion than lecture.