How much of a challenge was it going to be delivering to Arabs in a strongly Muslim culture? Well, being a good trainer. I did my homework and got briefed by one or two people to avoid showing anybody the soles of my shoes, avoid making sexual references, avoid looking women in the eye or touching them, avoid doing this, don’t do that, beware of the other…

But what did I find? A bunch of men and women in their mid-20s to mid-30s who, had they been in Western dress (their employer requires them to wear local dress) you might have had trouble distinguishing from any other bunch of people. I don’t make sexual innuendo or touch women when I meet deliver training in the West. I have always taken the view on matters of culture and discrimination of any kind that I do my best and hope that the participants will not be offended if I make a mistake, but help me learn-this has never failed me. I guess there are sensitivities with any audience-it’s probably best not to make too many jokes about Ford Escorts with no wheels stood on bricks to a Liverpudlian audience or talk too much about the Kray twins to an East End audience. People are people. They all have their likes and dislikes and their quirks and I have no doubt from years of experience that provided you do what you do and say what you say with positive intent, respect and humility. You are unlikely to go wrong. The worst that can happen is that someone will explain to you how you can do better next time.

I’m looking forward to other opportunities to visit new countries and cultures and hope they come my way.