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  5 0 Don't get too worried about it. Keep in mind that your guests are Arabs already living in the United States. They can be expected to know more about American customs than you know about Arab customs. The fact that you are actually conscious of their etiquette already puts you ahead of most people. Chances are they won't be that offended by any gaffe anyway. For example, Friday. Not a big deal, or they wouldn't have accepted your invite. Mahtli69 answered in Other-Food & Drink 7 months ago | Report 2 comments by Mahtli69 and TVDinner Redux… 1 0 Heh heh ... one thing is they probably consider themselves Arabs, not Saudis, unless they are part of the House of Saud royal family. Mahtli69 commented 7 months ago | Report 0 0 That's good to know, Mahtli! Thanks. TVDinner Redux commented 7 months ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  2 0 What a great question! This certainly sent me searching to learn more. So basically I am reporting what I learned by reading not from prior knowledge. Others that report here from experience and training will probably be better resources. I surmise that some of the big points would be to ALWAYS eat with the right hand (serve with the right also), do not blow on foods to cool them especially when you are handling the dish being served from, remember that food is not eaten hurriedly but with respect for God the provider, and certainly not eaten to excess. Dining etiquette More strict etiquette references I would say one of the most respectful things to do would be to express your desire to make the meal as appropriate and enjoyable for your guests and that you would love for them to instruct you in the proper etiquette. If you provide the appropriate foods and a welcoming atmosphere and then ask for guidance in how to best conduct yourself and how the meal should proceed, then you will allow them to teach you and all will go wonderfully. The fall back position is to do everything just a little behind your guests so you can watch and learn how to emulate their manners.   Russ Campbell, NWEBS answered in Other-Food & Drink 7 months ago | Report 1 comment by TVDinner Redux… 0 0 Fucking hell, I'm left-handed. Thank you for this, Russ. It's great info. I'll advise my husband to eat slowly and not blow on his food. I might ask him to serve, as well, since he's right-handed. TVDinner Redux commented 7 months ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  1 0 It's hard to know what might be offensive to your friends without knowing anything about them. Here are some things to think about, based on my limited experience: I think if your classmate always wears a hijab (or other head covering) and dresses modestly, it would be respectful for you and your husband to also dress modestly - long sleeves and long pants/skirts, nothing too tight or revealing. I'm not saying to put on a burqa, but no mini skirts or shorts or having visible underwear. There might also be something about the bottom of feet being offensive, so maybe wear socks too? I'm sure Miss Manners has the same clothing standards for dinner with guests, now that I think about it. Also it seemed that the meals I've been at with more strict Muslims had gender separated eating arrangements - some totally segregated tables, other tables mixed but people didn't sit next to a person of another gender unless they were married. It's a bit awkward to be seated next to a literal gender gap for a post-liberation woman, but I got over it. I also don't recall shaking hands with the Muslim men I've known. I think once I asked about which hand to eat with, and the right-hand-only thing is more of a custom in places where everyone grabs food out of big communal dishes with their hands or bits of pita (no utensil barrier). Basically nobody cares which hand you use to eat food from your own plate, but anytime you are dishing food out of a serving dish try to use your right hand just in case. After all that, if your classmate doesn't wear a hijab or something similar I don't think you should worry too much about Muslim dining customs. You should probably worry that they are gluten-free or allergic to nuts or something like that. Also don't forget to put away your autographed Abu Ghraib prints, and save the Christian conversion talk until the third dinner. asteria answered in Other-Food & Drink 7 months ago | Report 1 comment by Russ Campbell, NWEBS… 0 0 Good points, especially the point of shaking hands, very important for your husband. We are so conditioned to shoving our hands out when meeting folks. For your husband to do that to your friend would be inappropriate. I remember in the school setting when meeting parents to keep my hands at rest in front of me when meeting women (especially with head scarves) and greeting them verbally only. Of course, if a hand is extended to you (or your husband) then it is obviously alright to respond. Russ Campbell, NWEBS commented 7 months ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  1 0 Somebody correct me if I'm wrong--but I'm not sure the cats need to be banished. Muhammad was a famous cat fancier(one tale says that he once cut off the sleeve of his robe rather than disturb his cat, who had fallen asleep on it). Dogs, they're traditionally less fond of, but cats, as far as I understand, are a-ok. marymc answered in Other-Food & Drink 7 months ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  1 1 They might not have acclimated to the American custom of arriving on time. It is my understanding that the arrival times for invitations to dinners/parties in Saudi Arabia is quite fluid. It is likely that they have adapted to our custom if they have been here for a while but you might want to be prepared for a "fashionably late" sitch. Dan Williams answered in Other-Food & Drink 7 months ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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