Don’t Rush the Personal Minute

The Story
In Riyadh, a visitor kept trying to move the conversation “back to the agenda.” But the host wanted to begin with family, travel, and general wellbeing. Once the visitor relaxed into it, the actual business moved far more quickly.

Cultural Principle
The personal minute is not separate from the meeting. It is how the meeting becomes human enough to work.

Takeaway
Let the opening breathe. A few sincere moments of human connection often save you twenty minutes of resistance later.

Warmly,
Taqua

Tune into The Souk Stories podcast for native reflections on culture, etiquette, and the human side of doing business in the Gulf.