Bahrain
Business meetings in Bahrain are formal by regional standards and suites, ties and conservative dresses (long-sleeve, ankle-length) should be worn. Personal contact, frequently renewed, is key to doing business successfully in Bahrain. Visiting businessmen should be prepared to spend a portion of any business call on socializing and on getting to know their counterparts, although in general the atmosphere here is more time-oriented and "businesslike" than in other countries of the region. Nearly everyone with whom a business traveler is likely to come into contact with speaks at least some English, and Bahraini government officials and businessmen are usually fluent in the language.
Bahrain's weekend is officially Thursday and Friday, with most government offices operating Saturday through Wednesday while most private companies operate full days Saturday through Wednesday plus half-days on Thursday. (Employees of offshore financial institutions often follow a more Western workweek.) Customary office hours are shown below.
Government offices: 0700-1415 Saturday to Wednesday.
Commercial organizations: 0800-1530 or 0800-1300 and 1600-1930 Saturday to Wednesday or Thursday.
Shops and supermarkets: 0830-1230 and 1530-1930 Saturday to Thursday. Markets and shops open Friday mornings.
Commercial banks: 0730-1200 and some also 1530-1730 Saturday to Wednesday. 0730-1100 Thursday. (HSBC’s main branch in Adliya is open 7 days a week, from 7am – 7pm).
The crime rate is low, and violent crime is rare. However, burglary, petty theft, and robberies do occur. Visitors should take the same security precautions as in any major city. Lock hotel room doors whether you are there or not, and store valuables in hotel room safes when they are available. Women should keep their purses firmly under their arms, and men should avoid keeping their wallets in their hip pockets while in the old market area (Souk). Travelers using local taxis should insist on the use of a meter since drivers may otherwise charge unexpectedly high fares.
Although reports of assaults on woman are not common, female visitors should take care when travelling alone at night and are advised to use one of the reputable taxi companies.
If possible, use ATMs only within bank or hotel lobbies. In 2006, reports emerged of a sophisticated scam at ATM machines. A “skimmer” is mounted to the front of the normal ATM card slot that reads the ATM card number and transmits it wirelessly to the criminals sitting in a nearby car. At the same time, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a leaflet holder and is mounted in a position to view PIN entries. The thieves copy the cards and use the PIN numbers.
Bahrain has a professional, well-trained police force, and visitors are encouraged to contact the police if problems are encountered.
Bahrain has many first-class hotels catering for the business community, but there is little in the way of cheaper accommodation. Hotel accommodation ranges from 5-star comfort, to family run hotels and 1-star budget establishments. All hotels are equipped with reliable phone and fax service, and many hotels also provide news agency and business wire services.
Full Telephone IDD service is available. Country code: 973. Outgoing international code: 0. Bahrain Telecommunications Company (BATELCO) operates a Fax service from the Batelco Building on Government Avenue. Bahrain possesses one of the most modern international communications networks in the Gulf. A 24-hour Telex/telegram service is run by Cable and Wireless, Mercury House, Al-Khalifa Avenue, Manama, as well as at the airport. Airmail service to Europe takes three to four days. The main post office is at Manama. Efficient 1-day international courier services operate out of Bahrain.
Electricity: Manama and other towns is 230 volts AC, single-phase and 400 volts, 3-phase; 50Hz. (Awali, 120 volts AC, 60Hz.) Plug fittings are normally the 13-amp pin type.
230 volts AC, 50Hz (Awali, 110 volts AC, 60Hz). Lamp fittings are of both the bayonet and screw types. Plug fittings are normally of the 13-amp pin type.
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There is a good selection of restaurants serving all kinds of food, including American, Arabic, Chinese, European, Indian, Japanese, Lebanese and Mexican. Arabic food is mainly spicy and strongly flavored. Lamb is the principal meat with chicken, turkey and duck. Salad and dips are common. Strong Arabic coffee and tea is also widely available.
Things to know: The sale of alcohol is not encouraged, although it is available to non-Muslims in nightclubs, good restaurants and luxury hotels, except during Ramadan. Muslims in Bahrain are not allowed to drink alcohol at any age. Non-Muslims
over the age of 18 are allowed to drink, but are not allowed to transport any alcohol and must drink their alcohol where they buy it. Even non-Muslim adults are forbidden to drink during Ramadan. National specialties:
• Machbous is fish or meat served with rice.
• Muchammar is brown, sweet rice served with sugar or dates.
• Baba ghanoush is a delicious dinner of pureed garlic, aubergine, yogurt and sesame paste, usually served with vegetables or pita bread.
• Falafel is widely eaten.
• Shawarma is lamb or chicken carved from a rotating spit and wrapped in flat bread.
• Small fried potatoes are a popular accompaniment.
• Sambousan are crisp pastry cases filled with meat, cheese, sugar or nuts. National drinks:
• Arak (grape spirit flavored with aniseed).
• Beer is commonly drunk.
• Gahwa (coffee) often has cardamom and saffron added to it. Tipping:
10 per cent is expected by taxi drivers and waiters, particularly when service is not included, and is normal practice. Airport porters expect 100 fils for each piece of luggage.Nightlife
Restaurants, nightclubs and cinemas showing English and Arabic films can be found in the main towns.
