- The Souk Secrets
- Posts
- Offer the Seat, Gain the Meeting
Offer the Seat, Gain the Meeting
He stood when the elder entered. The agenda moved without asking.
The Story
In Riyadh, a foreign partner rose to offer his seat near the host when an older cousin arrived. The gesture cost nothing; it signaled upbringing. The room softened, and a stalled approval became a green light.
Cultural Principle
Visible respect creates invisible leverage. In honor-based cultures, small courtesies carry strategic weight.
Takeaway
Stand for elders, offer prime seats, and accept the host’s rearrangement graciously. Etiquette is momentum.
With insight,
Taqua