Autonomy

Oh crap....

I've just learned that I have to meet Sheikha Latifa (Sheikh Mohammad's daughter) in a business meeting...

How the hell am I meant to act??? (I will have trouble just not passing out or being sick....) Probably best not to mention the Olympics....

Kinda nervous about this!

Any advice?

Just Browsing

I work for a Sheikh, it's no big deal, just be polite, don't ask direct questions and speak when spoken to. Easy.

lionheart

I wouldn't consume a bottle of whisky to ease the nerves as you just might throw up over her...and don't kiss her either

Autonomy

no tongues???

Seriously - how do I address her? Your Highness? Do I bow like a bowing thing on bowing Tuesday? If she offers her had to shake do I shake it (I'm guessing yes). Do I ask after her parents, are they keeping well etc

camel jockey

Simply call her Sheikha or Sheika Latifa. I would not offer you hand to shake unless she offers hers, then follow her lead and shake. Don't be intimated (sounds laughable I know), they are real people and generally the higher "up" the chain they are, the more relaxed they are about being treated as royalty.

It is considered polite to ask about her family but only if you are acquainted them, if not you can ask generally as in "I hope your family are well" but I wouldn't ask for individuals unless you know them personally.

This of course is IMHO of course, but this has been my experience when meeting royalty here in Bahrain.. I made a tw*t of myself the first time as I didn't know who was on the phone and was having a few choice words at my hubby at the time, went down a treat I'm sure!!

benzonar

Ask her if she is related to Queen Latifah, I'm sure she's never heard that one before.

Blue Cat

if she offers to shake your hand you accept, otherwise it is very formal, and could you do me a favour and ask her to ask her Father why he shut the Country Club down

Dutchie

Hi A,

I've worked for royalty in AD in the past. Just be polite and natural. And for god sake just act normal. Answer if asked a question. If there's one thing these people hate is a bad case of the nerves and the 24/7/365 days a year of ass licking. And if she waves her royal title towards you? Don't call her Sheikha what ever you do, that's a king size insult. She's not that bad of a person, believe me, and will know in a fraction of a second if you're honestly just trying to be polite.

Jeeper

If it were me i'd talk to her like any other person.....what makes her any different to anyone else I meet in normal life. She's a human born into privilege but that doesn't make her superior.

Say g'day, how's it hanging....you'll be fine.

Autonomy

I like this approach the best.... I might not use it fully though!

She is only 19 too I think.... and just back from the Olympics - so I do think be natural and very polite is the best way to go.

Dutchie - thanks for your sage advice - 1 question - why should I not use the word Sheikha?

Dutchie

She might be only 19 Mister A, but your way, and I politely mean WAY out of her league with her. Be yourself is my advise. But I'm Dutch, so go ahead, raise your middle finger.

Autonomy

I think you get me totally wrong - I have no intention of being impolite - I have the greatest of respect and the age means nothing. What do you mean about the middle finger?

All I mean is I will try to be genuine and "myself" while being very respectful.

I don't know why I should not use Shiekha? Is it rude? Why?

Eeyore

Aren't there any Emiratis (or other khaleejis) at your company you can ask about etiquette? They should know about whether or not you should refer to her as "Sheikha" etc.

Autonomy

Nope... my company is technically based out of Beirut and the Dubai office has a total of about 25 people in it. Lebanese, Scottish, Danish, Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Syrian and Ethiopian at last look. No Emirati....

Ironically this is the first business meeting I will be having with an Emirati lady, never mind a royal. (In my line of work there are not many Emiratis....)

Eeyore

How long until your meeting? I can ask one of the Emiratis at my company - probably the PRO, he's pretty well-connected.