Lack of professional courtesy in Jordan

I've been working in Jordan for a long time, and one of the striking characteristics of Jordanians in professional jobs is their lack of courtesy. Emails requesting information are seldom answered in a timely manner; emails supplying information are seldom acknowledged or thanked. Minor executives, even those with whom I have worked for a long time, will not place their own phone calls -- instead, they have a secretary or receptionist do it for them. It seems that the only time one gets a timely or complete response is when companies are bidding for subcontracts and large amounts of money are at stake.