Saudi Arabia part 2

Assalamualaikum and have a nice day guys. :)
Let's continue with the next entry on Saudi Arabia.

Diet

The Saudi diet varies by lifestyle. A farmer consumes different foods than a nomad, and a city dweller may eat traditional Saudi cuisine as well as Western food. A staple of the Saudi diet, regardless of lifestyle, is dates. They are eaten either raw or cooked, and come in red and black varieties. The diet of a farmer is based on grains, such as millet, rice, barley and wheat. Fruit and dates are eaten regularly. Lamb is the most commonly consumed meat, occasionally supplemented by goat and camel meat. The nomadic diet depends on milk products from goats, sheep or camels. Milk is consumed fresh or made into yogurt and cheese. Meat is only eaten on special occasions or when wild game is available. When nomads visit a town they purchase fruits and vegetables to eat. The main meal for nomads is at the end of the day, accompanied by coffee and tea. Saudis who live in towns and cities have a variety of foods available to them. A typical Saudi meal consists of rice with spiced chicken or lamb, or kebabs, with dates, and dairy products. The meal is accompanied by flatbread. Commonly prepared dishes are tabbouleh, a salad made with bulgar (cracked) wheat and mint; hummus, a dip made from chick peas; mutabak, pastry turnovers stuffed with cheese, banana or meat; salig, lamb cooked in a mild spiced sauce and served with rice; mihammar, stuffed lamb in a yogurt sauce; kabbza, lamb or chicken with onion, tomato, cucumber and grated carrot; thurid, chicken in a cream sauce served on leaves of dough; sambustik, triangles of dough filled with spicy meat and onion and then fried in oil.

Coffee is offered at every social gathering, business meeting and meal. To accept less than three cups of coffee is considered impolite. To indicate that one is done, wobble the cup before giving it back to the host. Food and beverages cannot be consumed in public during the holy month of Ramadan, even by non-Muslims.

The South Asian diet includes biryanis (rice with saffron, meat, fish, or chicken), dhal (a lentilbased soup), and several types of bread. Cows are sacred to Hindus; chicken and lamb are the most commonly consumed meats. The Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan diets contain more rice and fish than the Indian and Pakistani diets.

Etiquette and Customs in Saudi

Meeting Etiquette
- Men shake hands. Good friends may greet each other with a handshake and a kiss on each cheek.
- Women generally hug and kiss close friends.
- Men and women would not greet each other in public I from outside the family.
- When Saudis greet each other they take their time and converse about general things.

Gift Giving Etiquette
- Gifts are not the norm as in many other countries.
- If you are invited to a Saudi's house bring something small as a thank you.
- Flowers do not make good gifts from a man, although a woman could give them to her hostess.
- Never give alcohol unless you are positive they partake.
- Gifts are not opened when received.
Dining Etiquette
- Saudis socialize primarily in restaurants and international hotels when entertaining expatriates whom they do not know well. After some time you will be invited to the home.
- Entertainment will generally be same-sex only. If both sexes are included, they will be in separate rooms.
- If you are invited to a Saudi's house, you would usually remove your shoes.
- Dress conservatively.
- Try to arrive at the invited time. Punctuality is appreciated but not crucial.
- Show respect for the elders by greeting them first.
- Accept the offer of Arabian coffee and dates even if you do not normally drink coffee.
- If you are invited for a meal, understand that there will be a great deal of socializing and small talk before the meal is served.

Table manner
- If the meal is on the floor, sit cross-legged or kneel on one knee.
- Eat only with the right hand as the left is considered unclean.
- Try a bit of everything that is served.
- Meals are generally served family-style.
- Honoured guests are often offered the most prized pieces such as a sheep's head so be prepared!
- There is often more food than you can eat. Part of Saudi hospitality and generosity is to shower guests with abundance.
- There is little conversation during meals so that diners may relish the food.
(credits to https://lostinriyadh.wordpress.com/ )