Expert: Hanin - 2/9/2010

Question
In a business environment, what are the appropriate greeting and farewell.
Thank you in advance

Andre

Answer
Hi Andre...

''Marhaban'': Hello
And you answer with either ''Marhaban'' or ''Ahlan''. It's both casual and formal, you can use it at any time.

When they greet you with ''Ahlan wa Sahlan'' which means welcome you answer with: ''Ahlan bekum''.
When you are introduced to someone you say ''Tasharrafna'' literally means ''hounered''.

''Sabah al-khair'': Good morning
''Masa al-khair'': Good evening
''Ma al-salama'' pronounced(massalama): Good bye
If you are going to meet with them again you say ''Ela alleqa''.
If you are not going to meet them again you say: ''Wadaan''
''Forsa saida'': Nice to meet you. (very formal and literally means, happy opportunity)people usually use it at the end of a meeting with someone they don't know very well.