<p>Aim To explore some of the main methodological challenges faced by interviewers in Arab settings, particularly during interviews with psychiatric nurses.</p> <p>Background Interviews are a tool used commonly in qualitative research. However, the cultural norms and practices of interviewees must be considered to ensure that an appropriate interviewing style is used, a good interviewee-interviewer relationship formed and consent for participation obtained sensitively.</p> <p>Data sources A study to explore the nature of psychiatric nurses’ practices that used unstructured interviews.</p> <p>Review methods This is a methodology paper that discusses a personal experience of addressing many challenges that are specific to qualitative interviewing in Arab settings, supported by literature on the topic.</p> <p>Discussion Suggestions for improving the interview process to make it more culturally sensitive are provided and recommendations for future research are made.</p> <p>Conclusion Openness, flexibility and a reflexive approach by the researcher can help manage challenges in Arab settings.</p> <p>Implications for research/practice Researchers should allow themselves to understand the cultural elements of a population to adapt interviewing methods with the aim of generating high quality qualitative research.</p>