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. He is also a Nursing made Incredibly Easy! Culturally it's a form of showing humbleness and direct eye-contact may seem even hostile and rude. head, on the mustache or beard has the meaning of "it's in front of. By comparison, in the high-contact cultures of the Middle East, Latin America, and southern Europe, physical touch is a big part of socialising. 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! Low Contact cultures stand at a greater distance and generally avoid physical . <> However in the Arab world, if the gesture is shaken, at another person it symbolizes the sign of the evil, eye. 37)(sited for http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1997/arab_culture/f9gestur.pdfpg.58), 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. You'll also need to assess whether your patient isn't responding because he or she simply doesn't understand you. 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. Even the simple handshake can vary from culture to culture. United Arab Emirates Africa & The Middle East Map World Map . Only a brief moment of eye contact would be permitted between a man and a woman, if at all. It is simply them giving you as much as they can from what they have. You can use silence as a communication technique. First impressions count, so when you meet a new patient, approach slowly and wait for him or her to acknowledge you. What does eye contact mean in the United States? In Arab culture, the left hand is used for toileting and is widely considered to be unclean. For example, direct eye contact is considered impolite or aggressive in many American Indian, Indo-Chinese, and Arab cultures. As you would when you're caring for any patient, make sure you expose only one body part at a time. 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. Practitioner-patient relationship with eye contact is influenced by cultural values of Arabs associated with sex and the need to uphold modesty, especially for women (Marzilli, 2016). Even if it means accepting it, and barely having a taste, it is ok. You dont need to finish that drink or cupcake. Muslims generally avoid direct eye contact as a sign of respect for the speaker. As in the song above, the singer says, Is that a moon or is that your eyes?In the Western world, it is known that Arabs have beautiful eyes and thats why they are mentioned frequently in poetry. During the Hajj (pilgrimage), people may kiss only on the shoulders as a gesture of friendship and greeting. The meal is usually at the conclusion to an event. Arabs dont have rigid schedules. 1 0 obj 3 Alif Kamil El-Shinnawi Street We use gestures as a way to emphasize points and illustrate what we are saying. If you are traveling to an Arab country, knowing certain Arab customs and traditions will make your visit more enjoyable. The presence of songs about eyes comes from poetry that intricately describes eyes, where the poets glorify eyes and analyze them, by almond shaped, dark color, and by the size of the pupils, like the eyes of a deer. When sitting, avoid stretching legs in front of or sitting up higher than others. Try it now and find out why. For example, patients who belong to certain religious groups are sometimes silent because they believe that they're listening to and communicating with God. In some cultures, such as Hispanic and Arab cultures, male healthcare providers may be prohibited from touching or examining certain . 6 0 obj (http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/thelede/posts/arabculture.pdfpg. //= gravity_form( 5, false, false, false, null, false, $tabindex, true ); ?>. 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. If your patient is confined to bed, close the door or draw the curtains completely around the bed for privacy. This is especially true when you are offered food or drink as a guest. Most Arabs believe that most of lifes events are controlled and orchestrated by God. 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. They should be aware, however, that returning eye contact will be considered the same as saying, Yes, Im interested! So when in the Middle East, care should be taken in making eye contact with anyone of the opposite gender. ;-g= dZSnXD4Xa*#\!A"?4`=kH.T? and symbolic of you being, beneath my feet. Theft is at the core of every colonial enterprise. It shows attentiveness and interest in what is being said. (sited for http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1997/arab_culture/f9gestur.pdfpg 58), Its my Obligation - The gesture of placing the right hand or itsforefinger on the tip of the nose, on the right lower eyelid, on top of thehead, on the mustache or beard has the meaning of "its in front ofme, I see it or its on my head to accomplish.". Read the latest news and helpful tips from our blog. . 2 0 obj Therefore, even southpaws should use their left hands sparingly when visiting the Middle East. 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. This is normal to them so be accepting and keep that fact in mind. endobj If you want to strongly disagree and say "No" (la) lift your head up, roll your eyes upwards and make a clicking noise with your tongue. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. /Shokran/ // which is a basic thank you. 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. 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. Make sure it provides concrete, specific, and relevant information. xVMF#^vY;3Y%Ur@9x03j#!inWmnoo> >. 27. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Considering this, it is advisable to not label every Arab as Muslim and to not consider every Muslim an Arab. In these parts of the world, children wont look at an adult who is speaking to them, and nor will employees to their bosses. Like every country or region, Arabs have Arabic culture rules. Wolters Kluwer Health You can even use silence to communicate effectively (see Silence as communication). In some of these countries, eye contact beyond a brief glance between the sexes is deemed inappropriate. It must be emphasized that there is no "one" Arab culture or society. Yet eye contact also has more flirtatious aspects than it does in the U.S. In some cultures, avoiding eye contact is considered a sign of respect. 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. Proper eye contact levels vary from culture to culture. Besides their faith, family is the second most important element to Arabs. Social Studies Help: Cultures, Governments & More, Learning About Eye Contact in Different Cultures, Eye Contact in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Author: Fredric W. Rohm Jr. Journal: Inner Resources for Leaders. endobj 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. In many Middle Eastern countries, same-gender eye contact tends to be more sustained and intense than the western standard. 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. Man is dependent on the fate as determined by God and is powerless in controlling many of lifes events. In our interactions at work, school, or with friends, silence is uncomfortable. Although all Middle Eastern cultures cannot be grouped into one class, they do have similarities in their rules for the appropriateness of eye culture. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Shake hands longer but less firmly than in the West. Eye contact during discussions is often long and direct. It is pretty much an action of respect as opposed to anything else. Dr. Matias Baltazar of Universit de Vincennes and his co-researchers completed a study in October 2014 in which 32 participants were wired to a skin conductance machine in order to record the sweatiness of their . Issue: 3. In communication, eye contact can be a means to regulate the flow of conversation, express emotions and signal attraction towards another individual. Caribbean, Latino, an Arab cultures. Source: Matsumoto, D., & Juang, L. (2017). The term As God wills it is a nicer way to say No., It is always best to say Yes. Keep in mind that a Yes can also mean Maybe.. In most western countries, eye contact is a sign of confidence and attentiveness. Please try after some time. Culture a. With the Kaleela Arabic learning app you can start learning Arabic on your own, at your own pace, whenever and wherever you want. Through all the research I found a particularly odd body language. Another important point in food etiquette is thanking them for the food and wishing them goodness and blessings for their hospitality. In the Muslim Arab culture it is forbidden for a man to look at the body of a woman to whom he is not married. Answer (1 of 5): It is shown as a sign of respect, especially when there is a power differential between the speaker and the listener. Diverse Eye Contact Cultures: America: Visual contact is motivated in the United States of America. Eye contact is the type of thing that really differs from person to person. Without stereotyping your patient, you can build on your experiences to be more effective each time you communicate cross-culturally. A persons honor and dignity come from their family. Un5>'-4XLg ,j)HVxM/~Xaks"=;=Z945k{W! peaeeq7<> An Arab with colored eyes lives by the phrase: "eyes wide open" at all times. In much of the Arab world, men hold hands and kiss each other in greeting, but would never do the same with a woman. <>>> By clicking I agree below, you agree to our terms and conditions and consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. You will notice that Arabs will over-fill your plate. that the person to whom the gesture is made is a liar. How you communicate also encompasses your body language and positioning, including how much space you keep between yourself and your patient. 3 0 obj Also, continuous eye contact is a way to show sincerity and honesty. endobj As a result, religious affiliation is essential to everyone in Arab society. An Arab may use the sign in conjunction with, palm of the left hand indicates obscenity or, the stomach, and then turning it slightly connotes. 10 0 obj (sited from http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/army/arabculture.pdfpg. Malaria: Has your patient traveled recently? forefinger on the tip of the nose, on the right lower eyelid, on top of the. The main types of eye contact are frequently interrupted eye contact, glancing, repeated . 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 . (LogOut/ Arab cultural communication patterns. A specific look can indicate interest, another look can indicate love, and another can indicate appreciation. Grieving in Arab cultures is qualitatively different from majority U.S. culture Arab people may expect to be judged negatively by the therapist Knowledge about immigrant experiences is important Trauma symptoms may be minimized in Arab cultures Arab American clients may have low expectations of the efficacy of psychotherapy 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. The family structure is tight-knit and is one of the major determining factors of personal status, followed by individual character and achievement. August 1997; International Journal of Intercultural Relations 21(3) . While Islam is the predominant religion, other religious groups are accepted and treated with respect. Learn how to use body language to improve your professional relationships. People who are relaxed and personable enough to establish relationships tend to be more successful. Eye contact is a direct and powerful tool of interpersonal communication. Eye contact is much less common and considered less appropriate in many of these cultures than it is considered in the United States. That is why throwing shoes at someone is a form of protest and an insult in many parts of the world - as former U.S. President George W. Bush famously discovered on a visit to Iraq in 2008. On the tip of the major determining factors of personal status, followed by individual character and achievement and.! To assess whether your patient is n't responding because he or she simply does n't understand you this normal... Demonstrate the procedure, or act out the meaning mean Maybe thing that really differs from person person!, family is the type of thing that really differs from person to person respect as opposed to anything.. 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Hajj ( pilgrimage ), you are offered food or drink as a result religious... Notice that Arabs will over-fill your plate, continuous eye contact is a direct and powerful tool of interpersonal.... A gesture of friendship and greeting visit more enjoyable cookies to Store access!
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