Oman

Greetings

Man greeting Man - Men greet one another using the phrase As-salaa, aleikum (it means peace be upon you). The appropriate response is Wa'aleikum as-salamma ( which means and on peace be you). This is accompanied by a light handshake and sometime a kiss on the nose or both cheeks. Placing your right hand on your heart or chest after shaking hands is a show of great respect to the person you are greeting. Handshakes may linger a bit.

Woman greeting Woman - Women greet each other in a similar manner to men. Handshakes and kisses on both cheeks are the most common.

Man greeting Woman - There is little to no touching between men and women during greetings in public. Women may extend a sleeve-covered wrist or hand to be shaken. Always wait for the woman to initiate, if at all.

Communication Style

• Omanis favor an indirect style of communication over a direct style. Avoiding confrontation and saving face is paramount.
• Periods of silence are to be expected during conversations.

Personal Space & Touch

• Omani's feel comfortable standing a little less than an arms length apart from one another. This space is greater between men and women.
• There is fair amount of touching between men. It is common to see men holding hands as it is a sign of close friendship.
• There is no touching between men and women in public places.
  

Eye Contact

• Omani's favor direct eye contact in conversations.
• While staring is not considered rude or an invasion if privacy, it is best for foreign men to avoid staring directly into the eyes of an Omani woman.

Gestures

• Always give, pass, and receive objects (including food) with your right hand as the left is viewed as unclean.
• Always use the whole hand when beckoning someone.
• The thumbs up gesture means "very good" or "I approve."

Views of Time

• While punctuality is appreciated, relationships tend to take precedence over tight schedules.
• Prayer times occur five times a day. During these times everything stops so it's best to plan schedules around them.
• Prayer times 4:30 am, noon, between 2:00 and 4:00 pm, sunset, and an hour after sunset.

Gender Roles

• Oman is still very much a male-dominated society.
• It is rare that men and women are seen alone together as public displays of intimacy is forbidden.
• Mixed gender activities always take place with other people present.
• It is best for women to keep their arms, legs, and heads covered and avoid tight fitting revealing clothing.
• Avoid direct eye contact with men. A simple smile can be severely misinterpreted.

Taboos

• Don’t point the toe or heel or any part of the foot at any person.
• Don’t show the sole of your foot or use the foot to move anything as it is viewed as the lowliest body part.
• People can be imprisoned for acts of homosexuality.
• Do not take photos of people without their permission.
• It is illegal to use aggressive, obscene or abusive language or gestures in public. Penalties range from fines to deportation or even imprisonment.

Law & Order

• Alcohol and pornography are not allowed to be brought into Oman, but non-Muslims are allowed to bring in small quantities of alcohol.
• The legal drinking age is 21.
• The legal smoking age to purchase tobacco is 18 but is not heavily enforced.
• Penalties for possession, trafficking, or use of illegal drugs are serious. Offenders can expect jail sentences and/or heavy fines. Death sentences are also possible.
• It is illegal to use aggressive, obscene or abusive language or gestures in public. Penalties can range from deportation or fines to imprisonment.