Business Etiquette in a Muslim world

The Project Manager for the next project I am starting asked me to attend a brief impromptu meeting with a supplier of central vacuum systems. No problem. The sales rep was sitting in the conference room when I arrived. I greeted him in the usual way by extending my hand and was promptly and in no uncertain terms told that he would not be shaking the hand of a female, he tries to be a “good Muslim”. OK then. Otherwise he was a very amicable fellow, helpful, jovial, knowledgeable. I just had not encountered the handshake thing with any Muslim men I have dealt with so far and did not expect such a strong reaction (although I should have expected it at some point.) So note to self …