If your patient is confined to bed, close the door or draw the curtains completely around the bed for privacy. Although saying the word no is good, but using it too often can be a sign of disrespect. These rules are usually quite complex. Coffee "Mocha" coffee is named after the city of Mokha in Yemen, where coffee was first sold. Gestures indicating obscenities or insults should not be used by non-Arabs. In many Middle Eastern countries, same-gender eye contact tends to be more sustained and intense than the western standard. Men in Islamic countries never shake the hands of women outside the family. Long eye contact at women is considered rude. By: Meriam Helal/ Arab America Contributing Writer. People who are relaxed and personable enough to establish relationships tend to be more successful. Eye contact is essential, but it depends on the situation. The traditions and customs of Arab cultures have many differences compared to Western culture. The study of eye contact, also called oculesics, is a sub-category of nonverbal behaviours in the field of kinesics. In high-context cultures (such as those in Japan, China, and Arab countries), the listener is already "contexted" and does not need to be given much background information [3]. me, I see it or it's on my head to accomplish." "Slow down" - By holding the fingers in a pear . The family structure is tight-knit and is one of the major determining factors of personal status, followed by individual character and achievement. Arab cultural communication patterns. Here, if you have good eye contact with a person, it generally signifies that you are interested in the person you are looking at and in what that person is saying. Patients from some cultures want their family to be present, so ask your patient if he or she wants to include them. Most Arabs believe that most of lifes events are controlled and orchestrated by God. In the Arab world, non-verbal communication styles differ from region to region. Wolfe declares that, "in the United States, making eye contact is interpreted as showing interest, paying attention, and a sign of self-confidence.". Arabs believe in persons, not in institutions. Make sure it provides concrete, specific, and relevant information. In many Mediterranean and Latin countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, to make this sign at someone is to tell them that their spouse is cheating on them. Eye Contact: Indirect eye contact is considered a sign of politeness. Some people in Dubai prefer strong eye contact as a show of respect, while others would prefer that you politely avert your gaze when speaking to them. People use poetic citations for preaching, greetings and speeches. However, it is considered rude in China, East Asia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and many other parts of the world. Don't assume that your patient is silent because he or she wants to withhold information or assert control. This, gesture can be observed extensively when driving in the crowded, streets of the Arab cities. No. United Arab Emirates Africa & The Middle East Map World Map . Culture a. 3 Alif Kamil El-Shinnawi Street It is also not unusually for men to hug and kiss each other nor is it considered an act of homosexuality but of close friendship most times men will kiss each other on both checks unless it is in times of the Hajj(pilgrimage) then they may only kiss each other on the shoulders Which is also something westerners are not use to. The most obvious example is the issue of covering your head in some Muslim countries but also, within religions such as Islam and Hinduism, shaking a woman's hand can be considered offensive. If you can, take a look at how other people around youespecially the successful onesuse eye contact. But remember, just as maintaining eye contact is important, be . Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Middle Easterners consider it impolite to eat everything on ones plate. Enhance your soft skills with a range of award-winning courses. Eye contact is the process of looking into someone else's eyes, usually to communicate with another person. Even accidentally brushing someones arm on the street warrants an apology. overview of Arab culture. This is not to say that you eat a lot nor that you need to lose weight. Such eye contact aversion, however, could be seen as a sign that the other person is being deceptive, is bored, or is being rude. Social Studies Help: Cultures, Governments & More, Learning About Eye Contact in Different Cultures, Eye Contact in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Although in the west it is a sign of respect to look someone in the eye to say something, it is not exactly the same in the Arab world. Although in the west it is a sign of respect to look someone in the eye to say something, it is not exactly the same in the Arab world. On the other hand, a person who makes eye contact with another person is thought to be confident and bold (and boldness is considered a good trait!) A video decoding Indian headshakes went viral, attracting over a million hits in a week. Flag: The flag of the United Arab Emirates was adopted in 1971. This will provide the patient with sufficient time to cover herself to maintain her cultural beliefs and values. endobj 3. To protect loss of face, an Arab will rarely admit to a mistake. 2- Eye Contact. One of the first important things to know if you are going to be in contact with Arabs is that they are much more comfortable with physical contact between members of the same sex then westerners are. Direct eye contact is more common in causal conversation, as well as arguments. On that same note it is always good to study up on each area you might be in, since they may have different standards. Double meanings are common in conversations. During the Hajj (pilgrimage), people may kiss only on the shoulders as a gesture of friendship and greeting. Home health care workers should take care not to misinterpret the significance of lack of eye contact. Close friends or colleagues hug and kiss both cheeks upon greeting. Silence gives your patient time to reflect before he or she speaks. Eye contact during a conversation is vital. Next, learn what you can about other cultures. A professional interpreter not only knows the patient's language, but is also well-versed in medical terminology and has been trained to present information in an unbiased way. For example, when most U.S. Americans maintain eye contact, it communicates that one is paying attention and showing respect. In United States and Canadian dominant culture settings as well as many Arab cultures, eye contact is taken as a sign of reliability and trustworthiness. It is insulting to a Muslim to ask about his wife or another female family member. Eye contact is a way of communicating with others. GENDER Gender issues can be another source of conflict. 5. Please also remember that Arabs are much more comfortable with physical contact between members of the same sex. It is suggested to shake for a longer period of time then westerners normally would, but less firmly. 6 0 obj Learn more about the body language course. A specific look can indicate interest, another look can indicate love, and another can indicate appreciation. Eye contact in Arab culture is different is than Western eye contract. A hurried attitude on your part may offend Hispanic or Asian patients, who value politeness, or American Indian patients, who value an unhurried approach to communication. Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. However, depending on your patient's cultural expectations, he or she may perceive you as threatening and invading his or her personal space. However, in more serious situations such as weddings or peace treaties between families and/or tribes, there is a lot of strong eye contact. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The structure of the language encourages . Some error has occurred while processing your request. Capital: Abu Dhabi. Even if youre not planning a trip, it is also fun getting educated about other cultures. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. culture the "A-OK" sign is a positive gesture. By comparison, in the high-contact cultures of the Middle East, Latin America, and southern Europe, physical touch is a big part of socialising. (sited from http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/army/arabculture.pdfpg. In Thailand and Laos, it is taboo to touch anyones head, even children. Although family members can be effective interpreters in a pinch, they sometimes edit what they interpret or convey their own biases to the patient. If you take a look at somebody [] Body Language takes on extra significance in Arab culture. These emphasise, exaggerate and/or demonstrate the point of their words, and also give further meaning when little is said. (http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/thelede/posts/arabculture.pdfpg. The Nose Touch - You will often see Arab Nationals touch noses three . Thank You - Placing the palm of the right hand on the chest,bowing the head a little and closing ones eyes connotates "ThankYou" (in the name of Allah). For example, if a Japanese woman avoids looking someone in the eyes, she is not showing a lack of interest nor is she demonstrating a lack of self-confidence; instead, she is being polite, respectful and appropriate according to her culture. Newspapers around the world expressed their astonishment at the use of such a gesture. Finally, document the communication strategies you've used and your patient's response in the medical record. Garden City 11451 <> The Chinese people view eye contact as a necessary tool, but not in the same way that other cultures do. Eye contact or physical touch is okay in some cultures and inappropriate or offensive in others. They should be aware, however, that returning eye contact will be considered the same as saying, "Yes, I'm interested!". All rights reserved. It is good to know this ahead of time so that it does not catch you off guard when an Arab tries to hold your hand which they do from time to time as a sign of friendship. Some common gestures are listed below: Get a downloadable, printable version that you can read later. Even if you are not hungry or thirsty, an initial no is fine but insisting too much on most items that are offered is not considered nice. With a range of award-winning courses contact or physical touch is okay in some cultures and or! The traditions and customs of Arab cultures have many differences compared to Western culture U.S.. Getting educated about other cultures streets of the same sex Arab Emirates was adopted in 1971 observed extensively driving. First sold can, take a look at how other people around youespecially the successful onesuse eye is! In Islamic countries never shake the hands of women outside the family structure is tight-knit and is of. Interest without asking for consent most of lifes events are controlled and orchestrated by God cultures have many compared! Headshakes went viral, attracting over a million hits in a week '' coffee is named after city. 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