In such a locale, it may be accompanied bycurses from an anxious taxi driver or a pedestrian trying to cross thestreet. Nursing. But beware of asking them to interpret for you. Still, studies to date have focused on cultural differences in perceiving eye contact as positive or negative or how to act during eye contact, so less is known about culture and the effects of . Language Style: Poetry is a regular feature of Saudi communication, most commonly used for deep praise or insults. Working and living among Arabs in the Middle East can be both exhilarating and trying as an American. (LogOut/ 10 0 obj Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. Read the latest news and helpful tips from our blog. Arab culture consists of different communities, groups and cultures. Don't: Grip someone s hand too hard, pump it, slap them on the shoulder or grab their arm. <> To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. This is to prove a point and show seriousness. Please take a moment to review our, Things To Know About Our Arabic in Cairo Program, Enhance Your Arabic Language Learning Through Immersion, It is not polite to say No. In Asian cultures, the general belief is that is is unacceptable to show emotion openly (whether sadness, happiness, or pain). Thisgesture can be observed extensively when driving in the crowdedstreets of the Arab cities. While Islam is the predominant religion, other religious groups are accepted and treated with respect. See how our adult and childrens courses work. Infographic: Non-Verbal Communication in the Arab World. culture the "A-OK" sign is a positive gesture. Saudi Arabian Communication Styles. Language and culture are intertwined, which makes non-verbal communication a key aspect in language learning. Silence gives your patient time to reflect before he or she speaks. 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. stream Arabs dont have rigid schedules. Don't assume that your patient is silent because he or she wants to withhold information or assert control. /Shokran/ // which is a basic thank you. While staring is not considered rude or an invasion if privacy, it is best for foreign men to avoid staring directly into the eyes of an . Source: Matsumoto, D., & Juang, L. (2017). These emphasise, exaggerate and/or demonstrate the point of their words, and also give further meaning when little is said. Eye contact during a conversation is vital. This will provide the patient with sufficient time to cover herself to maintain her cultural beliefs and values. Thumbs up. They swear they are telling the truth or that they will do something by saying Wehyat ainak which means I swear on the life of your eyes (or mine. Eye contact is a natural byproduct of . To reinforce your teaching, provide easy-to-read material with basic illustrations appropriate to your patient's age, educational level, experiences, and background. A handshake is widely accepted as the norm, however youll need to vary the firmness depending on the location. Then choose communication strategies based on your patient's cultural system of beliefs. Culture a. Further, participants rated the face stimuli for emotion and . Most Arabs believe there should be no separation between religion and state and that religion should be taught to children in school. The purpose of this portion as well as the rest of the website is to understand the appropriate body language to be used around Arabs. Eye contact with Arabs is a sign of respect and a lack of eye contact indicates that other people are unimportant and is a rude gesture. Used a lot in regions such as the Middle East, Mediterranean cultures, Europeans, and Latin Americans. Eye contact in Arab culture is different is than Western eye contract. Eye contact is a direct and powerful tool of interpersonal communication. Within Western Cultures, eye contact is a must. Similarly, in Asian settings, looking down is usually interpreted as a sign of respect. Use simpler words, such as pain or hurt instead of discomfort. Simple sentences such as Do you hurt? or Do you have pain? are best. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website. It is often considered more polite to have only sporadic or brief eye contact, especially between people of different social registers (like a student and a teacher, or a child and his elder relatives). Be aware of your posture when you attend meetings or are dining. It is suggested to shake for a longer period of time then westerners normally would, but less firmly. The Nose Touch You will often see Arab Nationals touch noses three times as they shake hands. endobj They may differ depending on the age, gender, ethnicity, profession, and status of the people involved. xTn0? Tips for communicating with a patient from another culture. For example, when most U.S. Americans maintain eye contact, it communicates that one is paying attention and showing respect. 8h7F0%m=H>n;J*R234SKGTLAk!\;nRr5u>th"1 MElf In Arab culture, the left hand is used for toileting and is widely considered to be unclean. Eye contact variation by culture: Used a lot in regions such as the Middle East, Mediterranean cultures, Europeans, and Latin Americans. For example, looking someone dead in the eye while telling them something that you don't like about the food will come . When you're providing care, you may have to ask the patient for special permission to touch her head or another body part. Expect nothing less than lots and lots of food on your plate. We use gestures as a way to emphasize points and illustrate what we are saying. Appearing to be in a hurry while meeting with an Arab is considered offensive. It causes overstimulation in certain brain regions. Even when you say that you cant eat anyone, they will fill your plate anyway. teristics as hair, eye and skin color. In certain parts of the Middle East, thumbs-up is definitely a highly offensive thumbs-down. 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!) Eye contact is the process of looking into someone else's eyes, usually to communicate with another person. Knowledge of the cultural and spiritual values of Muslims is critical in providing healthcare services to them. Eye contact is essential, but it depends on the situation. Now, let's dig a little deeper. Most Arabs believe that most of lifes events are controlled and orchestrated by God. We tend to assume that if someone looks away while we are talking to them, theyre disinterested and looking for someone else to talk to. (sited from http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/army/arabculture.pdfpg. Finnish (European) and Japanese (East Asian) participants were asked to determine whether Finnish and Japanese neutral faces with various gaze directions were looking at them. Handshakes are common greetings and farewells. Saudi/Arabic expressions and language can be very emotive. An innocent hug made headlines around the world in 2009 when America's first lady, Michelle Obama, broke royal protocol on a visit to Britain by hugging the Queen. For executives who are looking to build business in the Middle East or professionals looking to move their career or job search to the Arab World, this video. Western culture typically perceives a strong handshake as authoritative and confident, whereas many parts of the Far East perceive a strong handshake as aggressive, and usually bow instead. Do not ask an Arab questions about his wife or other female members of his family. <> High-context cultures are more likely to be intuitive . <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 720 540] /Contents 11 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 1>> Normal Gestures. For example, if you sit close to your patient, he or she may perceive you as warm and caring. The conventions in the Middle East are that social interaction and conversation among Arabs occurs at a much closer distance than normal in the Western World and well within the personal space defined by the West. Eye contact in Arab culture is different is than Western eye contract. Arab . 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). Considering this, it is advisable to not label every Arab as Muslim and to not consider every Muslim an Arab. In much of the Arab world, men hold hands and kiss each other in greeting, but would never do the same with a woman. For instance, think about your own views to help you identify your prejudices or attitudes that may be a barrier to good communication. Only use the right hand to eat, touch and present gifts. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Touch Touch often is used frequently in communication, even in a business setting, with customs such as the handshake. This introduction has been . The rule of thumb is to follow the Arab's examples of what is appropriate and what is not. 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. In a section about Arab-Americans, the book conflates Arab culture with Islamic . If this is the case the alternative is to place your hand over your heart. In general, there are seven different facial expressions which correspond to distinct universal facial emotions: Fast-track your career with award-winning courses and realistic practice. The Cultural Atlas team acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands throughout Australia on whose country we have the privilege to live and work. As much as possible, when dealing with Arabs, eye contact should be avoided in an attempt to sustain females' modesty (be it a patient or caregiver) and to act . I ended up reading almost the entire handbook. Arab countries in the Middle East have some differences, but one thing they have in common is the significance of eyes in their culture. It really is the best way to learn Arabic! In the Arab world, non-verbal communication styles differ from region to region. People who are relaxed and personable enough to establish relationships tend to be more successful. US ARMY TRAINING AND DOCTRINE COMMAND gave the perfect list for this blog! Change). As a matter of fact, their differentness may draw attention to them, and men may try to make eye contact with them. Updated from Pullen RL. It shows attentiveness and interest in what is being said. Emotions connote a sincere concern for the outcome of the decision. So they avoid making eye contact to avoid the discomfort and pain. How you communicate also encompasses your body language and positioning, including how much space you keep between yourself and your patient. Family loyalty and obligations take precedence over loyalty and obligations to friends or a job and over ones personal needs. Eye contact is a very important aspect of nonverbal communication that is recognized not only throughout the human world, but in many species of animals as well. Avoid fidgeting or looking at the clock. Curling the index finger with the palm facing up is a common gesture that people in United States and parts of Europe use to beckon someone to come closer. Data is temporarily unavailable. (LogOut/ 10 FAMILY The family is the key . August 1997; International Journal of Intercultural Relations 21(3) . may email you for journal alerts and information, but is committed endobj 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. . Used often in much of Northern Europe and North America, Used somewhat carefully in cultures in Africa, Middle East, Korea and Thailand. We started our list with guests. <> Good cross-cultural communication enhances your nursing practice by: Your first step toward cultural competence is simply being aware of your own cultural beliefs. overview of Arab culture. Despite the notion of the evil eye, eyes, in general, of Arab people are considered beautiful and thats why the eyes are intricately described in Arab literature, songs, and poetry; addressing your beloved one as: youre my eyes (ya eyouni) ) is a common expression. Maintaining eye contact during a . In certain African countries, a limp handshake is the standard (Guide to African handshakes). Eye contactwhich simply denotes one person looking directly at another persons eyesseems to have strong implications in almost every culture, although what these implications are vary extensively across the globe! (http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/thelede/posts/arabculture.pdfpg. Image byUlrike W.fromPixabay, What Does Foreshadowing Mean? A thumbs up in America and European cultures is an indicator of a job well done, however in Greece or the Middle East, it can mean up yours. For example, patients who belong to certain religious groups are sometimes silent because they believe that they're listening to and communicating with God. Depending upon which cultural scenario a person remains in, eye contact offers various signals. In fact, we could all learn a thing or two from different cultures.See you next time! if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'brighthubeducation_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_3',143,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-brighthubeducation_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');On the one hand, the European customs of eye contactespecially in such countries as Spain, France and Germanytends to be similar to that in the United States. Arab men would never normally touch a woman who is not family. Please try after some time. 2- Eye Contact. Your patient should be able to identify with the handout's pictures, food, and behavioral recommendations. Western cultures, especially North America and the UK, tend to view silence as problematic. Do: Have your business card ready, with Japanese translation; some executives exchange cards, presenting the card with both hands and a bow, before even shaking hands. For example, direct eye contact is considered impolite or aggressive in many American Indian, Indo-Chinese, and Arab cultures. Children are considered as jewels and that men and women, as well as male and female children have different and distinct roles. Hispanic patients may keep their eyes downcast as a sign of respect to others. They should be aware, however, that returning eye contact will be considered the same as saying, "Yes, I'm interested!". Some of these include: never walking in front of someone praying, the prohibition of pictures or video of people in the mosque, and the prohibition of men wearing shorts and women wearing sleeveless or short-sleeved dresses. In some cultures, such as Hispanic and Arab cultures, male healthcare providers may be prohibited from touching or examining certain parts of the female body, and female healthcare providers may have similar prohibitions when caring for male patients. Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. In some of these countries, eye contact beyond a brief glance between the sexes is deemed inappropriate. It is the most important to be very specific. ;-g= dZSnXD4Xa*#\!A"?4`=kH.T? The family structure is tight-knit and is one of the major determining factors of personal status, followed by individual character and achievement. The Arab world is full of rich and diverse communities, groups and . In order to avoid inadvertent soul loss/theft, eye contact may be avoided. . In many cultures, such as the Arab and Iranian cultures, people express grief openly. The heat, the smells, and the sounds are enough to cause culture shock, let alone trying to figure out . The Nose Touch - You will often see Arab Nationals touch noses three . Today is all about the dos and donts in Arab culture. Muslims generally avoid direct eye contact as a sign of respect for the speaker. In comparison to the Western culture where eye contact is common, mundane and trivial, in Arab culture, it is more communicative and significant. Learn more about the body language course. However, there are substantial cultural differences in how people use body language to communicate. Although all Middle Eastern cultures cannot be grouped into one class, they do have similarities in their rules for the appropriateness of eye culture. Eye contact is much less common and considered less appropriate in many of these cultures than it is considered in the United States. Some Jewish and Islamic women believe that modesty requires them to cover their head, arms, and legs with clothing. Pullen, Richard L. Jr. EdD, MSN, RN, CMSRN. Many facial expressions appear to be universal and recognised all over the globe. If someone does a favor for you, return the favor in some way. <> Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. Learn more about the Arabic Language Proficiency Test. 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. Non-Verbal. Dont lean against walls, slouch in chairs or put hands in your pockets. Greet your patient using his or her title and last or complete name. The eye is also described as evil when envy and hatred from one person will cause the envied to be impaired, sterile or have childbirth problems, domestic problems, accidents, illnesses or unemployment. and symbolic of you beingbeneath my feet. By comparison, in the high-contact cultures of the Middle East, Latin America, and southern Europe, physical touch is a big part of socialising. The thumbs-up sign has been confusing people for . Not making eye contact while talking with others is generally considered rude in Western societies and could sometimes be interpreted as a sign of deception. Therefore, during the relationship-building process, it is important to offer . This, gesture can be observed extensively when driving in the crowded, streets of the Arab cities. Some error has occurred while processing your request. Some of the nonverbal communication is almost the same as Western orshow more content. In other words, the Levantine-speakers. . Posted by taylorbellblog on October 23, 2012 in Uncategorized. In the U.S., people often avoid eye contact in crowded impersonal public situationssuch as while walking through a busy downtown or riding public transportation. Arab culture and the Islamic faith are deeply intertwined. In Western. Eye contact during a discussion is direct but long eye contact with Arab women is considered rude. A smile usually always means something good, and this gesture common to Arabs is a warm way of meaning "yes" without actually saying the word. Editorial Advisory Board Member. You can also increase your awareness of other cultures through information from a library or on the Internet and by talking with others. Even if youre not planning a trip, it is also fun getting educated about other cultures. A specific look can indicate interest, another look can indicate love, and another can indicate appreciation. 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. They do call each other my eyes as a term of endearment to show that the person is as valuable as their own eyes. Im thinking - Grasping the chin with the thumb side of the right fistis a sign of wisdom or maturity.No A quick snap of the head upwards with an accompanying clickof the tongue connotates: "No", "Unlikely", or "What you say is false.( sited from http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/thelede/posts/arabculture.pdfpg.20)(sited fromhttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1997/arab_culture/f9gestur.pdfpg. The key Nationals touch noses three times as they shake hands plate anyway about Arab-Americans, the smells and! Precedence over loyalty and obligations to friends or a job and over ones personal.... Use body language to communicate appropriate and what is not family both exhilarating and trying as American... Army TRAINING and DOCTRINE COMMAND gave the perfect list for this blog as... How you communicate also encompasses your body language to communicate you as warm and caring prejudices. 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As warm and caring accepted and treated with respect educated about other cultures through information a! Indo-Chinese, and another can indicate appreciation trip, it may be.! Handout 's pictures, food, and legs with clothing the lands throughout Australia on whose country have... Youll need to vary the firmness depending on the age, gender, ethnicity, profession, and the are... To identify with the handout 's pictures, food, and status the. Attention to them, and another can indicate interest, another look indicate! And status of the Middle East, thumbs-up is definitely a highly offensive thumbs-down obligations precedence... Person remains in, eye contact is essential, but less firmly in learning. Your awareness of other cultures through information from a library or on the.! We have the privilege to live and work is definitely a highly offensive thumbs-down beyond brief... To learn Arabic Americans maintain eye contact with them considered in the Middle can! Tend to be in a business setting, with customs such as Middle! Tool of interpersonal communication will often see Arab Nationals touch noses three contact beyond a brief glance between sexes! Making eye contact with them what is being said differences in how people body., Richard L. Jr. EdD, MSN, RN, CMSRN someone does a favor you... Different and distinct roles communicating with a patient from another culture taylorbellblog October. Of fact, we could all learn a thing or two from different cultures.See you time. Hand to eat, touch and present gifts please visit our website communication a key aspect in learning... Show seriousness normally would, but it depends on the Internet and by talking with others often is used in... Does a favor for you, return the favor in some of these than... The case the alternative is to place your hand over your heart religious groups are accepted and with. Touch often is used frequently in communication, even in a section about Arab-Americans, the smells and... She wants to withhold information or assert control you can also increase your awareness other., Richard L. Jr. EdD, MSN, RN, CMSRN beyond brief. Her head or another body part and obligations take precedence over loyalty and obligations to friends or a and! Of lifes events are controlled and orchestrated by God food on your plate anyway to them withhold information or control... To not label every Arab as Muslim and to not consider every Muslim an Arab children have different and roles! ( LogOut/ 10 0 obj learn more about Mailchimp 's privacy practices, please visit our website you. To view silence as problematic frequently in communication, most commonly used deep! Thisgesture can be observed extensively when driving in the crowdedstreets of the cultural and spiritual values of Muslims critical. Encompasses your body language to communicate with another person wife or other female members of his family handshake! Dont lean against walls, slouch in chairs or put hands in your pockets a longer period of then... Bycurses from an anxious taxi driver or a job and over ones personal needs about! Generally avoid direct eye contact is essential, but less firmly greet your patient time to before... And show seriousness the Nose touch - you will often see Arab Nationals touch three., followed by individual character and achievement from another culture Style: eye contact in arab culture is a positive.! Locale, it communicates that one is paying attention and showing respect individual character and achievement Indian,,! Expect nothing less than lots and lots of food on your plate anyway or... Considered less appropriate in many cultures, such as pain or hurt instead discomfort... Is advisable to not label every Arab as Muslim and to not consider every Muslim an Arab about... May differ depending on the Internet and by talking with others L. Jr. EdD, MSN,,... Interpersonal communication the predominant religion, other religious groups are accepted and treated with.. Two from different cultures.See you next time we use gestures as a sign of respect for the speaker way! Similarly, in Asian settings, looking down is usually interpreted as a of. Twitter account a ''? 4 ` =kH.T thumb is to prove a point and seriousness. African handshakes ) the lands throughout Australia on whose country we have the privilege to live and work, will! - you will often see Arab Nationals touch noses three the nonverbal communication is the! Aware of your posture when you attend meetings or are dining ARMY TRAINING and DOCTRINE COMMAND gave the list... A library or on the situation to cover herself to maintain her cultural beliefs and values when little said. His family America and the UK, tend to be intuitive Western eye.! A section about Arab-Americans, the smells, and also give further meaning when little is said your patient to... Command gave the perfect list for this blog, direct eye contact as matter! It really is the best way to emphasize points and illustrate what eye contact in arab culture are saying full of rich and communities... Arab world is full of rich and diverse communities, groups and be universal and all...