A sip of Gahwa: Trump gets royal tutorial in Arabic coffee drinking etiquette

King Salman enjoyed a cup of Saudi traditional coffee with US President Donald Trump and the US First Lady Melania Trump in Riyadh on Saturday. (SPA)
Updated 21 May 2017
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A sip of Gahwa: Trump gets royal tutorial in Arabic coffee drinking etiquette

JEDDAH: When US President Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia Saturday he was first treated to a traditional coffee at the airport in Riyadh.
King Salman enjoyed a cup of coffee with the American president and also taught him the traditional technique of asking a server to stop pouring.
The Saudi king was filmed shaking his cup, a typically Saudi way to indicate that you have finished enjoying your coffee and do not wish for a top up.

It is tradition that servers will continue to serve the coffee until the drinker declines by shaking their cup or by placing their free hand on top of their cup. In the video, Trump seems to enjoy his coffee and requests more.
Traditional Saudi coffee is stronger than its American counterpart and is typically drunk without milk or sugar and in small cups.
In a similar lesson, Prince Muqrin Al-Saud explained Arabic coffee drinking etiquette to the president’s daughter, Ivanka Trump.
He was filmed teaching her how to shake the cup to inform the server if she no longer wanted any coffee.


Saudi crown prince discusses regional developments with Indian PM

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/AFP)
Updated 7 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince discusses regional developments with Indian PM

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a telephone call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

During the call, the two leaders discussed developments in the region and the dangerous military escalation that threatens security and stability in the region and the world, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Modi expressed India’s rejection of blatant Iranian attacks against the Kingdom and affirmed his solidarity with it.

He also condemned any threats to the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security.