Recognize Long-standing Traditions.
Recognize that manners and customs in the Middle East go back to the beginnings of civilization. Long-established practices and conventions--fashioned over centuries within the harsh desert environment--govern interactions between individuals. 
 
Greetings 
Shaking Hands.   Handshakes, though regarded as important, usually do not possess the same firmness as handclasps of many Europeans or Americans.  We usually shake hands only the first time we are introduced to someone. Most Arabs shake hands every time they meet you and every time they leave you. This applies whether they meet you on the street, in an office, at a conference, restaurant, or at home. The pattern in Saudi Arabia is to shake hands on meeting, chat a bit, and shake hands again on leaving--even if you meet ten times a day.

Small Talk and Ritual Greetings.  Middle Easterners often greet each other with a number of ritual phrases and fixed responses. Ancient custom governs these interactions. To Western eyes, profuse greetings, inquiries about health and well-being, often take up inordinate amounts of time but it is important in establishing friendly relations.
 
Hospitality.  Giving a warm reception to strangers harks back to the culture of the desert. Developed over centuries, where the desert environment bound traveling nomads to depend on the graciousness and generosity of others, hospitality enabled inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula to survive thirst, hunger and sudden raids/attacks. Many Middle Eastern peoples continue this custom of showing courtesy and consideration to strangers. Demonstrating friendliness, generosity and hospitableness become expressions of personal honor, even sacred duties.
 
Touching.  Long handshakes, grasped elbows, even walking hand in hand by two males is common place in the Arab world. Contact between the opposite sex in public is considered close to obscene.
 
Distance in talking with one another (body space) may be much closer with Middle East peoples than with Westerners. 
 
Eye contact during discussions--often long and direct--is important. Staring is not necessarily rude (except gazing at women).
 
Gestures
Arabs, like most people, use gestures and body movements to communicate. It has been said that "To tie an Arab’s hands while he is speaking is tantamount to tying his tongue." However, Arab gestures differ a great deal from American (or Western) ones.
 
Although there are numerous other gestures associated specifically with the Arab culture, the following have been identified as some of the most common and widespread in the Arabian Peninsula. 

The gesture of placing the right hand or its forefinger on the tip of the nose, on the right lower eyelid, on top of the head, on the mustache or beard has the meaning of "it’s in front of me, I see it or it’s on my head to accomplish." Another meaning is "it’s my obligation."

Right hand out, palm down, with fingers brought toward oneself repeatedly in a clawing motion, is the sign for calling someone to come.

Placing the palm of the right hand on the chest immediately after shaking hands with another man shows respect or thanks. A very slight bow of the head may also be added.

Touching the tips of the right fingertips to the forehead while bowing the head slightly, or kissing the back of a dignitary’s hand also connotes "Respect." 

Grasping the chin with the thumb side of the right fist is a sign of wisdom or maturity.

By holding the fingers in a pear shaped configuration with the tips pointing up at about waist level and moving the hand slightly up and down signals "wait a little bit" or "be careful. " This gesture can be observed extensively when driving in the crowded streets of the Arab cities. In such a locale, it may be accompanied by curses from an anxious taxi driver or a pedestrian trying to cross the street. 

Hitting the side of one’s face with the palm of one hand, head slightly tilted, and eyes wide open, is meant as an expression of surprise. Flicking the right thumbnail on front teeth can be translated to mean "I have no money" or "I have only a little."

Biting the right forefinger, which has been placed sideways in the mouth, may be a threat or an expression of regret. · In Western culture the "OK" sign is a positive gesture. However in the Arab world, if the gesture is shaken at another person it symbolizes the sign of the evil eye. An Arab may use the sign in conjunction with verbal curses. 

Hitting the right fist into the open palm of the left hand indicates obscenity or contempt. 

Placing the tips of the left fingers and thumb together so that the hand faces right, then placing the tip of the right forefinger directly on the left fingertips indicates an obscenity or insult directed at one’s birth or parentage. Specifically "You have five fathers." 

Placing the palm of the right hand on the chest, bowing the head a little and closing one’s eyes connotates "Thank You" (in the name of Allah). 

Touching noses together three times when greeting is a Bedouin gesture of friendship and respect. 

Two men kissing each other quickly on the lips when greeting is an expression of friendship. 

A quick snap of the head upwards with an accompanying click of the tongue connotates: "No", "perhaps", or "What you say is false."

By joining the tips of the right thumb, forefinger, and middle finger and then moving the configuration rapidly in front of the body, an Arab will add emphasis to his speech. 

Patting another person’s shoulder with the right hand is a conciliatory gesture. 

Before serving coffee, a bit of it may be poured onto the ground. This is a Bedouin gesture of sacrifice. 

During the Hajj (pilgrimage), people may kiss only on the shoulders as a gesture of friendship and greeting. 

Flipping the hand near the mouth and simultaneously making a clicking sound with the tongue and teeth is used to indicate that a person is not to worry. 

By holding the right hand in front of the face with the back facing forward and then flipping the hand so that the palm is up, the Arab will indicate that the person asked for is not present. 

If an Arab rubs his earlobe with the tips of his right forefinger and thumb, he may be asking, "Do you want me to answer the question for you?" 

Placing a half closed hand in front of the stomach, and then turning it slightly connotes that the person to whom the gesture is made is a liar.

By first touching the tip of the right forefinger on the tongue and then placing it on the tip of the nose, an Arab gives a sign for a person to hurry.
 
Be aware of appearing to be in a hurry when you are among Arabs. For example, during a business appointment or social visit with an Arab, do not look at your watch or otherwise act as if you have little time to talk. Arabs can be very offended by this. Time is much less rigidly scheduled in Arab countries than in the U.S.
 
Pointing your finger or a pencil at anyone while speaking, or beckon anyone with your finger. It is considered a threat, and only animals are treated in this manner. 
 
No.  The gesture "no" may often be done by tilting the head backward, raising eyebrows, jutting out the chin or making a clicking sound with the tongue.