Women do not mix with strangers in Arab society, so many times these elaborate feasts are all-male affairs, although exceptions to this rule are more common today than in years past. It is customary to shake hands on meeting and parting. Hearty behavior seldom impresses, and acting like you're in a hurry can cause affront. It is also customary for hosts to accompany visitors to the door of the house or office or to an awaiting car. Such gestures should be reciprocated by Westerners receiving an Arab guest.
Westerners are often surprised at the ease of relationships between various ranks of Arab society.
This equality of men in the eyes of God derives from the teachings of the Holy Koran. Frequently, drivers or others in relatively humble capacities will accompany those in whose service they are employed into the presence of those of standing and high rank. Men wear the headcloth, ghutrah, on the head, held in place by the taqiyyah beneath, and the black woven circlet, 'iqal, above. The ghutrah is usually of checkered red and white in the cooler months and of white in the hot months. The main body garment is the long white shirt, thawb, above which may be worn the loose and flowing gown, mishlah, often of a brown color.