Hospitality First in Saudi Arabia

The main room in every Arabian house is the coffee room. Here is where the men meet at all hours and talk and drink the Arabian coffee, which is so strong that it is apt to keep the guest awake all night. There is no furnishing in the room, save rugs. On these beautiful rugs, one sits, and is very careful not to let his foot stick out in front of him. For in an Arabian house, feet are to he used, but never seen.— photo source, Pinterest 

Arabs Will Quarrel Over the Privilege of Entertaining a Visitor—Strict Rule of Etiquette

Although most Arabs are Bedouins or nomads, many of this ancient place live in towns. To the traveler unused to the swaying and almost “mal de mer” inducing motion of the camel for this is the mode of locomotion in Arabia — it is a great relief to come to one of these dingy, yet picturesque towns. With a sigh of relief the careworn and dust-covered voyager crosses the dry moat and passes through the city walls. All Arabian towns have walls and turrets. The traveler wonders what the great standpipe is, rising up above the houses, and if, by chance, there might he some industry connected with it. But on inquiring he finds that it is the watch tower — a remnant of the Middle Ages when only spears and lances were used in warfare. Today the tower would fall quickly if it were hit by the shell from a five pound gun. 

To visit in one of the Arabian houses is indeed a great pleasure, for the Arabs are most hospitable, and treat their guests royally, asserts Temple Manning in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. In fact, the whole town will squabble over the privilege of entertaining a visitor. No mention of the length of a visitor’s stay or where he is going is alluded to —this would be the height of ill manners. For this handsome and bold race are gallant and courteous to the last degree, and some of their forms of conduct are difficult for the Westerner to adopt. 

Although it is fascinating to live us a guest of an Arabian family, it is really difficult, and one must be on his guard if he cares to be invited again. The main room in every Arabian house is the coffee room. Here is where the men meet at all hours and talk and drink the Arabian coffee, which is so strong that it is apt to keep the guest awake all night. There is no furnishing in the room, save rugs. On these beautiful rugs, one sits, and is very careful not to let his foot stick out in front of him. For in an Arabian house, feet are to he used, but never seen. If you should visit in the land of  “A Thousand and One Nights,” be sure to tuck your feet under you, no matter how uncomfortable, because if you don’t, you will be considered bad-mannered and will not be asked to call again! — Hanford Journal, 1922

Etiquette Enthusiasts, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia©️ Etiquette Encyclopedia