Libya

Facts and Statistics

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia

Capital: Tripoli

Climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior

Population: 6,173,579 (July 2008 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Berber and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians)

Religions: Muslim 97%, other 3%

Government: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils

Language in Libya

The main language spoken in Libya is Arabic, which is also the official language. Tamazight (i.e. Berber languages), which do not have official status, are spoken by Libyan Berbers. Berber speakers live above all in the Jebel Nafusa region (Tripolitania), the town of Zuwarah on the coast, and the city-oases of Ghadames, Ghat and Awjila. In addition, Tuaregs speak Tamahaq, the only known Northern Tamasheq language. Italian and English are sometimes spoken in the big cities, although Italian speakers are mainly among the older generation.

Libyan Society and Culture
The People

Most Libyans consider themselves Arabs, although there is a strong Berber influence in the population. Nearly 98% of the population is Berber-Arabic. There are small communities of Greeks, Maltese, and Italians.

About 20% of the population are foreign workers, mostly from other Arab countries such as Egypt, the Sudan, and Tunisia.

Religion

As Arabs the vast majority of Libyans are Muslim. Colonel Qaddafi states that Islam is the only viable system that can help answer man's political, economic and social problems on earth and provide him with happiness in the world to come. In November 1973, a new code of law appeared emphasizing Sharia law in all facets of the Libyan legal system. After the Revolution in September 1969 and in compliance with Islamic law, alcoholic beverages were outlawed. Bars and nightclubs were closed, and modest and provocative entertainment was banned. The use of the Islamic Hijri calendar was also made mandatory.

Family Life

Until fairly recently the extended family was the norm. Today it is increasingly common for young couples to set up home on their own. This is especially true of Tripoli.

It is important for Libyans to maintain the dignity, honour and a good reputation of their families through their own conduct. This is a collective culture. In order to maintain a sense of harmony, people will act with decorum at all times and not do not do anything to cause someone else public embarrassment. Personal feelings and needs are often subjugated for the good of the group.

Etiquette and Customs in Libya
Meeting Etiquette

Greetings are enthusiastic and warm.
Handshakes can be long affairs and extended as long as the verbal niceties take to cover.
Smiling and direct eye contact is important although the eye contact should be intermittent rather than constant.
Men shake hands. A man must wait for a woman to extend her hand first.
The most common greeting is "Aalaamu alaikum" ("Peace be with you") to which one would respond with “wa alaikum salam” (“and Peace be with you”).

Gift Giving Etiquette

If you are invited to a Libyan’s home bring something sweet such as pastries, fruit or a small gift from your home country.
If a man must give a gift to a woman, he should say that it is from his wife, mother, sister, or some other female relation.
A small gift for the children is always a nice touch.
Gifts are given with two hands or the right hand.
Gifts are generally not opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a Libyan's house for food then:

Try to be on time although being 15-20 minutes late would not be seen as rude.
Dress conservatively.
Check if you should remove your shoes at the door.
Show respect for the elders by greeting them first.
Accept any offer of coffee or tea.
It is increasingly common in large urban areas for men and women to eat together, although in some families men and women will eat in separate rooms or one after the other.
A bowl of perfumed water may be passed around the table before the meal. Dip three fingers into the water as a form of ritual cleansing.
A short prayer may be said before and after the meal.
Honoured guests are generally asked to serve themselves first or the host may serve them.
Eat only with the right hand.
Expect there to be more food than can be consumed by the number of guests present.
You will be urged to take more food even after you have said you are full.
Always leave a small bit of food on your plate when you have finished to show that your host has showered you with generosity and abundance.

Business Etiquette and Protocol
Meeting and Greeting

The handshake is commonly used.
Shake hands at the beginning and end of meetings.
Titles are important. Use the honorific Mister and any academic or political title.
Government officials will usually be addressed as "Your Excellency".
Do not use only the first name unless invited to do so.
Business cards may be given to those you meet.
It is a nice touch to have one side translated into Arabic.

Relationships and Communication

Libyans prefer to do business with those they know and respect, therefore expect to spend time cultivating a personal relationship before business is conducted.
Who you know is more important than what you know, so it is important to network and cultivate a number of contacts who may then assist you in working your way through the serpentine bureaucracy.

Business Meeting Etiquette

Appointments are necessary and should be made as far in advance as possible and confirmed a day or two before the meeting.
It is best to avoid scheduling meetings during Ramadan since Muslims cannot eat or drink during the day.
Never try to schedule meetings on Friday between 11:15 a.m. and 3 p.m. since most companies close for prayers.
Try to arrive at meetings on time and be prepared to wait. Libyan businesspeople who are accustomed to dealing with international companies often strive to arrive on time, although it is often difficult for them to do so in such a relationship driven culture.
In general, Libyans have an open-door policy, even during meetings. This means you may experience frequent interruptions. Others may even wander into the room and start a different discussion. You may join in, but do not try to bring the topic back to the original discussion until the new person leaves.
Arabic is generally the language of business, although some companies use English. Check which language your meeting will be conducted in, so you know if you should hire an interpreter.

Business Negotiations

Companies are hierarchical. The highest ranking person makes decisions, but only after obtaining a group consensus.
Decisions are reached after great deliberation.
If the government is involved, discussions will take even longer since the ministers of several departments must often give approval.
Libyans are looking for long-term business relationships.
Do not criticize anyone publicly. It is important that you do not cause your Libyan business associates to lose face.
Libyans are non-confrontational. They may agree in meetings rather than cause you to lose face.
Expect a fair amount of haggling. Libyans seldom see an offer as final.
Decisions are made slowly. Do not try to rush the process, as it would be interpreted as an insult.
The society is extremely bureaucratic. Most decisions require several layers of approval.
It may take several visits to accomplish simple tasks.
Do not use high-pressure tactics as they will work against you.
Libyans can be deliberate and forceful negotiators.

Being a Manager in Libya

To ensure successful cross cultural management in Libya, you need to maintain a degree of formality until you develop a personal relationship. It is crucial to demonstrate respect and deference towards older businesspeople, those in senior positions, and government officials.

Libyans are more comfortable conducting business with those with whom they have a personal relationship rather a stranger. Therefore, they may spend time getting to know you as a person. This is a vital part of business and you should not attempt to rush the process.

Libyans are extremely hospitable to visitors, although they expect you to understand the rules of their country and to obey them. Intercultural sensitivity is essential and you should never criticize the ruler, even in jest. Relationships take time to grow and must be nurtured. This generally requires many face-to-face meetings and cups of coffee in a local café.

Libyans do not stringently divide their business and social lives. Therefore, they will telephone a business colleague at home over the weekend, late in the evening, or early in the morning if they have a question. Likewise, they will raise business subjects during social engagements and discuss social matters during business meetings.

The Role of a Manager

Successful cross cultural management will keep in mind that each person has a very distinct role within the organization, and maintaining that role helps to keep order. People believe that their supervisors have been chosen because they have more experience and greater knowledge than those they manage, and it is, therefore, unnecessary, and even inappropriate for them to consult with lower-ranking individuals when decision-making.

In Libya, as in other hierarchical societies, managers may take a somewhat paternalistic attitude to their employees. They may demonstrate a concern for employees that goes beyond the workplace and strictly professional concerns.

Approach to Change

Libya’s intercultural adaptability and readiness for change is low. Libya remains a low risk and low change-tolerant culture despite the apparent adoption of Western business practices. This means that change for its own sake is not necessarily considered a good thing, although in some circles it may be. Many older Libyans continue to see change as a threat to the culture.

Approach to Time and Priorities

Libya is a fluid time culture, and as is the case with many fluid time cultures, it is also very relationship-oriented. People in Libya will not want to upset others in order to force adherence to a deadline.

When working with people from Libya, it’s advisable to reinforce the importance of the agreed-upon deadlines and how that may affect the rest of the organization.

Global and intercultural expansion means that some managers may have a greater appreciation of the need to enforce timescales and as such, agreed deadlines are more likely to be met.

Decision Making

Employees are generally treated with respect. In turn, employees treat their manager with the respect and deference attributable to their position. Managers do not publicly chastise employees because it would cause the subordinate to lose dignity and the manager to lose respect.

Once a decision is reached, which may be by a committee rather than an individual, it is generally given to subordinates to implement. Hierarchy dictates that managers tell employees what to do and provide them with the necessary tools to do so.

Boss or Team Player?

If you are working in Libya intercultural sensitivity is essential. It is important to remember that reputation plays an important role. The risk becomes amplified in a team or collaborative setting. If you would like to encourage participation it is important first to clearly establish a non-threatening work environment and communicate fully that their participation is desired.

Successful cross cultural management will rely on the individual’s interpersonal skills and ability to maintain cordial relationships with their subordinates.

Communication and Negotiation Styles

Good personal relationships are important since trust is required in order to conduct business. Companies are hierarchical and comments should be addressed to the highest-ranking person. Decisions are reached slowly since they are generally not made by a single individual. In many cases, a committee or several committees may be involved. If you try to rush decisions, you will jeopardize your business dealings. Libyans are skilled and direct negotiators, taking a straightforward approach and putting all their cards on the table early in the process. They expect others to do the same. Do not use high-pressure sales tactics. Proposals and contracts should be kept simple. Prices are generally quotes in Euros. Contracts must be written in Arabic.

Useful Information and Links about Libya

Currency - the currency of Libya is known as the Libyan Dinar. Use the free currency converter to compare to dollars, GBP or Euro.

Weather - visit Yahoo!'s up to date Weather for Libya.

Dialling Code - the international dialling code is +218.

Time - Libya is +2 hours GMT.

information provided by www.kwintessential.co.uk