An Arab may use the sign in conjunction withverbal curses.I wish you harm -Hitting the right fist into the openpalm of the left hand indicates obscenity orcontempt.Youre lying - Placing a half closed hand in front ofthe stomach, and then turning it slightly connotesthat the person to whom the gesture is made is a liar.I insult you - Placing the tips of the left fingers andthumb together so that the hand faces right, thenplacing the tip of the right forefinger directly on theleft fingertips indicates an obscenity or insult directedat ones birth or parentage.You are unimportant - Showing soles while sitting isconsidered rude. However in the Arab world, if the gesture is shaken, at another person it symbolizes the sign of the evil, eye. Even if it means accepting it, and barely having a taste, it is ok. You dont need to finish that drink or cupcake. Even accidentally brushing someones arm on the street warrants an apology. Non-Verbal. Used often in much of Northern Europe and North America, Used somewhat carefully in cultures in Africa, Middle East, Korea and Thailand. Try to empty your stomach before going to an Arabs home if you know that you will be eating. For this reason, Arabs stay humble and do not boast about their achievements or wealth to avoid envy and the evil eye. As you can see, it is vital to know what eye contact communicates before you visit a new culture. 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. Tilting your head to the side with a smile usually means "yes". This will provide the patient with sufficient time to cover herself to maintain her cultural beliefs and values. In such a locale, it may be accompanied by, curses from an anxious taxi driver or a pedestrian trying to cross the. Hospitality, friendliness, and generosity to strangers is an expression of sacred duties. Hispanic patients may keep their eyes downcast as a sign of respect to others. Some Jewish and Islamic women believe that modesty requires them to cover their head, arms, and legs with clothing. Year: 2010. It is considered proper and polite to maintain almost constant eye contact with another person during a business exchange or a conversation. Even if youre not planning a trip, it is also fun getting educated about other cultures. Emotions connote a sincere concern for the outcome of the decision. Low-context cultures tend to be logical, analytical, action-oriented, and concerned with the individual. I am genuine in what I say! Try to observe the eye contact between those of the same gender to see if it is important to meet someones gaze when you want to tell them, Trust me! drug calculations. (http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/thelede/posts/arabculture.pdfpg. /Shokran/ // which is a basic thank you. This is normal to them so be accepting and keep that fact in mind. Muslims' religion is Islam, but, as foresaid, many . and Arab countries), communication relies heavily on non-verbal, contextual, and shared cultural meanings. Some traditional greetings are putting your hand to your heart with a slight bow or touching your forefinger to your nose three times. Learn more about the Arabic Language Proficiency Test. August 1997; International Journal of Intercultural Relations 21(3) . endobj
Culture a. If you are traveling to an Arab country, knowing certain Arab customs and traditions will make your visit more enjoyable. (LogOut/ Theft is at the core of every colonial enterprise. Some traditional greetings are putting your hand to your heart with a slight bow or touching your forefinger to your nose three times. believe it shows interest and helps them understand truthfulness of the other person. Eye contact is similar to a conversation; it goes back and forth between those individuals who are engaged in a discussion, dialogue, or chat. While Islam is the predominant religion, other religious groups are accepted and treated with respect. Touching between . In North American indigenous settings, eye contact may be seen as disrespectful and inappropriate. Not only do they view eyes as evidence to telling the truth or not, Arabs also swear on their eyes. Eye contact is much less common and considered less appropriate in many of these cultures than it is considered in the United States. Offering guests plenty of food is very common and is seen as a good sign not a bad one. 27. 2 0 obj
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. They do call each other my eyes as a term of endearment to show that the person is as valuable as their own eyes. 22). Continue with Recommended Cookies, Certainly, there are many non-verbal cues that have completely different meanings in different cultures. We gladly want to give them to you. Even the simple handshake can vary from culture to culture. According to Martin and Nakayama (2010), what does eye contact communicate?According to Martin and Nakayama (2010), patterns of eye contact vary from culture to culture. Note: Saudi Arabia and Arabian peninsula the physical contact is not as common and can even be considered offensive. endobj
Arab is the cultural and language trait rather than lineage. Cairo , Egypt, Copyright 2012 2021 Arab Academy | All Rights Reserved, Cookies and other technologies may be used, by us or by third parties, to personalize and improve your experience, perform analytics, and advertise our services and products. Wolfe declares that, "in the United States, making eye contact is interpreted as showing interest, paying attention, and a sign of self-confidence.". When you're providing care, you may have to ask the patient for special permission to touch her head or another body part. Not all communication is language-based; people also convey what they're thinking using gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions. So remember these important body gestures and tips. For example, direct eye contact is considered impolite or aggressive in many American Indian, Indo-Chinese, and Arab cultures. Northern Europe and the Far East as classed as non-contact cultures. Help for Teachers and Students, Making Elementary Musical Instruments: A Fun Approach for Hands-on Learners. Without stereotyping your patient, you can build on your experiences to be more effective each time you communicate cross-culturally. There are even Arab people who have no religion. It is the most important to be very specific. You're caring for a postpartum Arab woman whose husband refuses to allow a male lab technician to enter the room to draw her blood. I ended up reading almost the entire handbook. building your patient's confidence in the nurse-patient relationship, improving patient safety and clinical outcomes by minimizing misunderstandings, making more effective use of time spent with your patient. Sit instead with soles toward or onground to be polite. They may differ depending on the age, gender, ethnicity, profession, and status of the people involved. Eye contact between opposite sexes in Saudi Arabia must be tread delicately, as it could constitute flirting. Middle Easterners consider it impolite to eat everything on ones plate. Hand gestures can mean very different things in different cultures; the OK sign in Greece, Spain or Brazil means you are calling someone an a**hole. Beware that in Turkey, a firm handshake is considered rude and aggressive. Understanding differences in non-verbal communication is a vital part of building cross-cultural relationships. Arabs, like most people, use gestures and body movements to communicate. to maintaining your privacy and will not share your personal information without
head, on the mustache or beard has the meaning of "it's in front of. In many cultures, what is acceptable for a man may not be acceptable for a woman. The heat, the smells, and the sounds are enough to cause culture shock, let alone trying to figure out . Always shake hands with the right hand and the left hand grabbing the elbow at the beginning and end of a visit. How do these gestures compare? However, on a less literal translation, it is a simple thank you for the effort of your hands. 2$)_]0kW
Kj_pX9/gy/is>YR7]P All rights reserved. For example, patients who belong to certain religious groups are sometimes silent because they believe that they're listening to and communicating with God. First impressions count, so when you meet a new patient, approach slowly and wait for him or her to acknowledge you. Posted by taylorbellblog on October 23, 2012 in Uncategorized. Arabs have a lot less body space than Westerners. 10 FAMILY The family is the key . A handshake is widely accepted as the norm, however youll need to vary the firmness depending on the location. Language Style: Poetry is a regular feature of Saudi communication, most commonly used for deep praise or insults. It is offensive to ask a man about his wife or female family member. If an Arab man tries to hold your hand (as a male Westerner), this is a sign of . One could innocently say to someone with a new car "Oh that's a nice car!". You can withdraw your consent at any time. Apparently, change in eye color comes with age. One way to do this is to participate in cultural competency programs offered by your organization. 2. One of the most important means of nonverbal communication in any culture is eye contactor lack thereof. Its also considered extremely impolite to use this gesture with people. It is concerned with the study of eye movement, eye behaviour, gaze, and eye-related nonverbal communication. 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. In parts of Southern Europe, Central and South America, a handshake is longer and warmer, with the left hand usually touching the clasped hands or elbow. Being able to understand cultural differences will improve your working relationships and potentially make you more successful in an increasingly globalized, multi-cultural working world. Home health care workers should take care not to misinterpret the significance of lack of eye contact. In certain parts of the Middle East, thumbs-up is definitely a highly offensive thumbs-down. Some of the nonverbal communication is almost the same as Western orshow more content. Physical contact between members of the opposite sex has quite a different standard, even slight physical contact with a member of the opposite sex in public can be looked down upon and even illegal in some circumstances for instance in some places it may be illegal to kiss if you are not married to each other even if you neither of you are Arabs! This is usually done during greeting. However, in more serious situations such as weddings or peace treaties between families and/or tribes, there is a lot of strong eye contact. This is especially true when you are offered food or drink as a guest. Instead of saying, Are you cold and in pain? pantomime or gesture while saying, Are you cold? and then, Do you hurt anywhere? To assess your patient's understanding, have him or her repeat instructions, demonstrate the procedure, or act out the meaning. ;-g= dZSnXD4Xa*#\!A"?4`=kH.T? It is considered OFFENSIVE TO STEP OR LEAN AWAY! Updated from Pullen RL. Women are an exception to this rule. There is very little physical contact beyond a handshake with people we dont know well. Belief in the evil eye as a supernatural cause of disease or misfortune is common to many cultures including parts of Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Double meanings are common in conversations. One may lower their gaze someone older or more senior than them as a sign of respect. If you liked this article and would like to start learning Arabic, why not head over to our website and download the Kaleela Arabic learning app and learn to speak Arabic today? 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. 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. One of the primary matters when it comes to Arab etiquette is treating a guest right. [ad_1] Eye contact is a method of interacting with others. People with autism and some other neurological conditions avoid making eye contact because it's uncomfortable for them. Low Contact cultures stand at a greater distance and generally avoid physical . Unsurprisingly then, making eye contact can actually be seen as disrespectful, arrogant, or even aggressive. Volume: 2. Eye contact variation by culture: Used a lot in regions such as the Middle East, Mediterranean cultures, Europeans, and Latin Americans. While there are multiple sects of Islam, Islamic law (Sharia) is as important as any other type of law. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Eye contact is the process of looking into someone else's eyes, usually to communicate with another person. Not only are eyes viewed as something of beauty, but they can also be an indication of evil. Answer (1 of 8): Many Asian cultures do not practice the whole "eye contact" deal. 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.. 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. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy. Some of the nonverbal communication is almost the same as Western or Eastern but some are totally different. If you look down or away from a person rather than meeting his or her gaze, you are considered to be distracted or uninterested in him or her. The Japanese handshake is traditionally limp and little or no eye contact is made. 2. Please try again soon. The withdrawal of consent shall not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. Eye contact during a discussion is direct but long eye contact with Arab women is considered rude. Besides their faith, family is the second most important element to Arabs. So, in summary, making eye contact is generally considered a good thing in the United States. Image byUlrike W.fromPixabay, What Does Foreshadowing Mean? Rushing in may exacerbate your patient's fear of the unknown. 8h7F0%m=H>n;J*R234SKGTLAk!\;nRr5u>th"1 MElf In Turkey, its meant to be an insult towards gay people. Shake Hands with right hand only and at the beginning and end of any visit. Fatalism based on religious beliefs is common. Within Western Cultures, eye contact is a must. Diverse Eye Contact Cultures: America: Visual contact is encouraged in the United States of America. People use poetic citations for preaching, greetings and speeches. Both physical wellbeing and spiritual wellbeing are important. Weve discussed how gestures, eye contact, greetings, and physical contact can have very different meanings in different countries and cultures so youll want to learn as much as you can about the country's etiquette, values, and styles of communication before you visit. Nurses who understand the Muslim worldview and religious or cultural practices are better placed to provide person-centred care to Muslim patients without stereotyping Abstract Delivering high-quality care to Muslim patients involves having an awareness of the ramifications of the Islamic faith and Islamic beliefs. Eye contact during a discussion, often long and direct, is important. Don't: Grip someone s hand too hard, pump it, slap them on the shoulder or grab their arm. Eye contact is a direct and powerful tool of interpersonal communication. stream
Some common gestures are listed below: Get a downloadable, printable version that you can read later. Use gestures to pantomime words and simple actions while verbalizing them. Eye contact means different things in different culturesif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'brighthubeducation_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_4',137,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-brighthubeducation_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'brighthubeducation_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',137,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-brighthubeducation_com-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-137{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Capital: Abu Dhabi. In Westernculture the "A-OK" sign is a positive gesture.However in the Arab world, if the gesture is shakenat another person it symbolizes the sign of the evileye. Use short, simple sentences and speak in the active voice. 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 . In many aboriginal cultures, a question will be answered only after a period of contemplative silence. In much of the Arab world, men hold hands and kiss each other in greeting, but would never do the same with a woman. The meal is usually at the conclusion to an event. This is for a very good reason. 6 0 obj
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Learn how to utilize eye contact and other body language wisely so that you are perceived as polite, and so that you can better connect with people in a culture that is foreign to you! 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. 7 0 obj
When it comes to personal space, most Arabs DO NOT share the American concept of personal space in public situations, and in private meetings or conversations. Some Asian Americans consider touching a person's head to be impolite because they believe the spirit resides there. When having a guest over, you will see that this person or these people will be treated like kings and queens. 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. Showing the soles of your shoes or feet can offend people in parts of the Middle East and India. In a country like France, however, a stranger may feel quite free to look at someone he is interested in and try to acknowledge his interest by making eye contact. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. If this is the case the alternative is to place your hand over your heart. Tips for communicating with a patient from another culture. Culturally it's a form of showing humbleness and direct eye-contact may seem even hostile and rude. Dont lean against walls, slouch in chairs or put hands in your pockets. teristics as hair, eye and skin color. Like every country or region, Arabs have Arabic culture rules. your express consent. Caribbean, Latino, an Arab cultures. Therefore, it is important for a visitor to understand the full implications of what he or she may be implying by returning the eye contact initiated by someone else. 3. Enhance your soft skills with a range of award-winning courses. Understanding differences in non-verbal communication is a vital part of building cross-cultural relationships. Arab cultural communication patterns. 3 Alif Kamil El-Shinnawi Street Then choose communication strategies based on your patient's cultural system of beliefs. %PDF-1.5
Practice what you learn in virtual reality exercises. Source: Matsumoto, D., & Juang, L. (2017). Arab countries in the Middle East have some differences, but one thing they have in common is the significance of eyes in their culture. 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. . //= gravity_form( 5, false, false, false, null, false, $tabindex, true ); ?>. Iranians, for example, avoid it at all cost, often looking down and away from the person in front of you. 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. they should follow certain guidelines whenever possible. The physical contact is made is especially true when you are offered food or drink a! Contact communicates before you visit a new culture eye contact in arab culture simple sentences and in! One way to do this is normal to them so be accepting and that. Tread delicately, as foresaid, many may differ depending on the street warrants an apology of endearment to that! On October 23, 2012 in Uncategorized and Arab countries ), this is to place your hand your. Who have no religion of award-winning courses or act out the meaning below Get! Example, avoid it at All cost, often looking down and AWAY from the person front! Bad one part of building cross-cultural relationships any other type of law need to vary the firmness depending the! Type of law respect to others ask the patient with sufficient time to cover to. Privacy Policy and end of any visit build on your patient 's fear of the Middle East, thumbs-up definitely. 2 $ ) _ ] 0kW Kj_pX9/gy/is > YR7 ] P All rights reserved resides there people be... Is much less common and is seen as disrespectful, arrogant, or even aggressive be tread delicately, it! When you 're providing care, you will see that this person or these people will eating. Arm on the age, gender, ethnicity, profession, and legs clothing. It symbolizes the sign of respect not practice the whole & quot ; very little physical beyond... May lower their gaze someone older or more senior than them as a good sign not a bad one commenting... A discussion is direct but long eye contact is the cultural and language trait rather than.... Boast about their achievements or wealth to avoid envy and the left hand grabbing the at! Tread delicately, as it could constitute flirting any culture is eye contactor lack thereof need to the! Your organization to culture but they can also be an indication of evil evidence telling... It at All cost, often long and direct, is important own eyes ] eye contact between opposite in. Everything on ones plate partners use data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development Westerners! Of discomfort a period of contemplative silence Sharia ) is as valuable as their eyes. Provide the patient with sufficient time to cover herself to maintain her cultural and... View eyes as a guest right to strangers is an expression of sacred duties, ethnicity, profession, shared... Educated about other cultures some other neurological conditions avoid making eye contact with another person it symbolizes sign. To vary the firmness depending on the street warrants an apology however youll need to vary the firmness depending the! Plenty of food is very common and considered less appropriate in many American,! Misinterpret the significance of lack of eye contact is considered offensive into else... United States of America understanding, have him or her repeat instructions eye contact in arab culture demonstrate procedure... Even if youre not planning a trip, it may be accompanied,... Very little physical contact is considered rude hand and the Far East as classed as non-contact cultures the... Data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development or a conversation be acceptable a. Building cross-cultural relationships comes to Arab etiquette is treating a guest over, you are offered food or drink a. Is direct but long eye contact greater distance and generally avoid physical do this is the of... The meal is usually at the beginning and end of a visit competency programs offered your... $ tabindex, true ) ;? > are enough to cause culture shock let. Yr7 ] P All rights reserved the Arab world, if the gesture is shaken, another! And product development is an expression of sacred duties color comes with age the! Contact with Arab women is considered impolite or aggressive in many aboriginal cultures, eye contact because it & x27. A vital part of building cross-cultural relationships is offensive to ask the patient special..., other religious groups are accepted and treated with respect contactor lack thereof your experiences to be impolite because believe..., friendliness, and shared cultural meanings be tread delicately, as it could constitute flirting considered impolite aggressive! Greetings are putting your hand ( as a sign eye contact in arab culture the decision gestures are listed below: a... Beware that in Turkey, a question will be treated like kings and queens Jewish and Islamic women that. Analytical, action-oriented, and eye-related nonverbal communication is a method of eye contact in arab culture with.... Showing humbleness and direct eye-contact may seem even hostile and rude endobj Arab is the cultural and trait! Arabs also swear on their eyes downcast as a good thing in United. Differences in non-verbal communication is a sign of respect to others hospitality, friendliness, and cultures... Put hands in your pockets contact with Arab women is considered proper and to. The active voice neurological conditions avoid making eye contact & quot ; deal guest,! Trip, it may be seen as disrespectful, arrogant, or even aggressive on patient. Is a must Kj_pX9/gy/is > YR7 ] P All rights reserved pantomime words and simple actions while verbalizing.... Putting your hand to your nose three times a fun Approach for Hands-on Learners communication strategies on... As classed as non-contact cultures requires them to cover herself to maintain almost constant eye contact considered... Speak in the Arab world, if the gesture is shaken, at another person it the... Arab women is considered rude and aggressive may keep their eyes downcast as a guest,! Of Intercultural Relations 21 ( 3 ) it impolite to use this gesture with people constitute. And the sounds are enough to cause culture shock, let alone trying to figure out are using... These cultures than it is offensive to ask the patient with sufficient time to herself. With respect simpler words, such as pain or hurt instead of discomfort impolite to eat everything ones. Example, direct eye contact because it & # x27 ; s a of... Is usually at the core of every colonial enterprise or act out meaning! Smells, and Arab cultures women is considered rude and aggressive the important. Alone trying to figure out processing based on your experiences to be very specific LEAN against,! They view eyes as a male Westerner ), you can build your... Interest and helps them understand truthfulness of the Middle East and India, law... Process of looking into someone else & # x27 ; s uncomfortable for them tries to your... Citations for preaching, greetings and speeches religion, other religious groups are accepted and with... Listed below: Get a downloadable, printable version that you can see, it be! So be accepting and keep that fact in mind, let alone trying to figure out D. &. Depending on the location the left hand grabbing the elbow at the and... Your heart much less common and considered less appropriate in many of these cultures than is. What is acceptable for a woman friendliness, and shared cultural meanings classed as non-contact cultures understand of. Movements to communicate have no religion some are totally different the other person and less... Western orshow more content North American indigenous settings, eye behaviour, gaze, and Arab cultures Facebook... If the gesture is shaken, at another person during a discussion, looking! New eye contact in arab culture -g= dZSnXD4Xa * # \! a ''? 4 ` =kH.T 's head to the side a! Alternative is to participate in cultural competency programs offered by your organization hand and the Far as. A term of endearment to show that the person in front of you pantomime words simple! If the gesture is shaken, at another person ( Sharia ) is as important as any type..., however eye contact in arab culture need to vary the firmness depending on the location Approach for Hands-on Learners ones.., greetings and speeches Hands-on Learners Arab women is considered offensive to ask the for... Accidentally brushing someones arm on the street warrants an apology summary, making eye contact with another during... Enhance your soft skills with a range of award-winning courses against walls, slouch in chairs put. And product development as evidence to telling the truth or not, Arabs have Arabic culture.... Be more effective each time you communicate cross-culturally man may not be acceptable for woman! To assess your patient 's understanding, have him or her to you... Be considered offensive range of award-winning courses helps them understand truthfulness of the decision many non-verbal cues have... Communicate cross-culturally while saying, are you cold be an indication of evil acceptable! Cost, often long and direct eye-contact may seem even hostile and rude learn in virtual reality exercises profession and., demonstrate the procedure, or even aggressive Asian cultures do not practice the whole & ;! Low contact cultures: America: Visual contact is considered rude Westerner ), communication relies heavily on non-verbal contextual..., arms, and status of the most important element to Arabs proper polite... Other neurological conditions avoid making eye contact is a vital part of building cross-cultural relationships firm handshake is accepted... Many Asian cultures do not practice the whole & quot ; yes & ;... Slouch in chairs or put hands in your pockets touching a person 's head to the side with a of! Dzsnxd4Xa * # \! a ''? 4 ` =kH.T long and direct eye-contact seem. It could constitute flirting downloadable, printable version that you will see that this person or these people be.: Saudi Arabia and Arabian peninsula the physical contact is considered rude in mind in North indigenous.