Communicating with Saudi.

[chunkolini]

Interesting one, I have been asked about a project in Saudi, sounds way above my capacities but It might be sensible to make a good impression and stay on the books for the future.
The persons name is (not) Ahmed Ali.
Do I reply Dear Ahmed or Dear Mr Ali?.
Small things but it is good to get them right.

Cheers all.

 

[bump]

From the work I used to do with UKTI, Dear Mr Ali, would be the correct form.

However, if you have a Saudi that actually uses technology then you are well ahead and could probably be a little less formal. I used to have all of my work printed in the UK and shipped out there.

 

[chunkolini]

Cheers Bump, I guessed that was the way, just wanted confirmation before I email him back.

Done that, I was asked about 'Huge Metal Sculpture'. for me huge is about 5m in one direction. I think in Saudi they mean bloody enormous.
I have asked to be kept on his books.

 

[MattF]

Generally, I'd go with the formal approach too, until things are obviously into a more familiar stride, or until they say otherwise. Least chance of offending anyone that way.

 

[bump]

Done that, I was asked about 'Huge Metal Sculpture'. for me huge is about 5m in one direction. I think in Saudi they mean bloody enormous.
I have asked to be kept on his books.

Asking for huge, I'd expect to be building that in container sized sections for on site assembly! They go scarily big out there.

Though it might be worth doing the work out there from a tax position.

Hope it comes off for you.

 

[madkayaker]

Try to Arrange to do your thing on site I will come and sort the power and keep the stereo cool in fridge.


There is a downside you might not be that creative after the cider wares off as its a dry country

 

[DrNik]

do i detect a free holiday, pick me please......

 

[Robotstar5]

Make sure you have an area large enough for a helicopter to land near you. I was doing some work at at Westley Richards when one of their Arab customers dropped in to pick up his guns, landed on the university rugby pitch next door!

 

[chunkolini]

I have seen the drawings, way out of my league.
Two sculptures each measuring about 100m square.
One is a curly thing that looks like my work, but the tubes are about 2m in diameter.
Flattered to have been asked.

 

[Wedg1e]

DrNik, Madyaker, have you ever been to Saudi? If the World ever needs an enema, that'll be where they shove the syringe. The place, the climate and most of the people are the most unpleasant experience you could wish for.

I worked over there for several short periods between '97 and '03 and hated every minute.

Having someone lob a chunk of concrete off a building down onto the 4x4 I was sat in on the day our forces went in to get Saddam out of Iraq was the last straw; we were hundreds of miles from Iraq but someone clearly didn't think we were welcome.

You genuinely get the impression that most Arabs would smile to your face then knife you in the back as soon as you turned round.