Eye contact is essential, but it depends on the situation. Family loyalty and obligations take precedence over loyalty and obligations to friends or a job and over ones personal needs. (sited from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1997/arab_culture/f9gestur.pdfpg.58), 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. 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. Literally. Some error has occurred while processing your request. You will notice that Arabs will over-fill your plate. Here are 6 hand gestures - and what they mean - in different countries and cultures: 1. It is further emphasizing that the eyes identify the intentions of the person. During the Hajj (pilgrimage), people may kiss only on the shoulders as a gesture of friendship and greeting. 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. Wolters Kluwer Health Within Western Cultures, eye contact is a must. Appropriate eye contact levels differ from culture to culture. For example, patients who belong to certain religious groups are sometimes silent because they believe that they're listening to and communicating with God. and symbolic of you being, beneath my feet. 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. Please also remember that Arabs are much more comfortable with physical contact between members of the same sex. Eye contact is a natural byproduct of . 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. 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. Like every country or region, Arabs have Arabic culture rules. 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. But other cultures consider touching other people . Basically, it is envying someone for something they have which you yourself don't have therefore you wish ill upon them. Eye contact during a discussion, often long and direct, is important. Greet your patient using his or her title and last or complete name. <> Warning: 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! <> Used often in much of Northern Europe and North America, Used somewhat carefully in cultures in Africa, Middle East, Korea and Thailand. to maintaining your privacy and will not share your personal information without 2 0 obj It is insulting to a Muslim to ask about his wife or another female family member. /Shokran/ // which is a basic thank you. Eye contact variation by culture: Used a lot in regions such as the Middle East, Mediterranean cultures, Europeans, and Latin Americans. 1 0 obj Not all communication is language-based; people also convey what theyre thinking using gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions. Examples of bad body languageare given so that youcan aviod offensive gusturesin the same way that I hope an Arab would learn enough about our culture so as to not accidentally show me his middle finger. Handshakes are common greetings and farewells. With the Kaleela Arabic learning app you can start learning Arabic on your own, at your own pace, whenever and wherever you want. To protect loss of face, an Arab will rarely admit to a mistake. This is usually done during greeting. Use the quiet time to assess your patient's nonverbal communication, including his or her posture, amount of eye contact, facial expressions, and signs of anxiety. A wink is very expressive in the Arab World and each one can mean something of its own: One wink can be flirting, another can be playful, or implying a joke. There are even Arab people who have no religion. 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. <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 720 540] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Northern Europe and the Far East as classed as non-contact cultures. Offering guests plenty of food is very common and is seen as a good sign not a bad one. China is considered, like many other Asian countries, to possess a more collectivist and low-contact culture than that of the United States, making their nonverbal communication different than, and sometimes in conflict with American nonverbal behavior. Also maintain eye contact; lackof eye contact strongly conveys you areunimportant as well. You can also increase your awareness of other cultures through information from a library or on the Internet and by talking with others. Good cross-cultural communication enhances your nursing practice by: Your first step toward cultural competence is simply being aware of your own cultural beliefs. Nursing made Incredibly Easy12(6):6-8, November/December 2014. Saudi/Arabic expressions and language can be very emotive. When you're providing care, you may have to ask the patient for special permission to touch her head or another body part. Tilting your head to the side with a smile usually means "yes". Also, continuous eye contact is a way to show sincerity and honesty. 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. Language Style: Poetry is a regular feature of Saudi communication, most commonly used for deep praise or insults. We use gestures as a way to emphasize points and illustrate what we are saying. Hospitality is very important. Some of the nonverbal communication is almost the same as Western or Eastern but some are totally different. Arab is the cultural and language trait rather than lineage. Coffee "Mocha" coffee is named after the city of Mokha in Yemen, where coffee was first sold. 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. Volume: 2. Pullen, Richard L. Jr. EdD, MSN, RN, CMSRN. As you can see, it is vital to know what eye contact communicates before you visit a new culture. Even if youre not planning a trip, it is also fun getting educated about other cultures. Meet the Arab Pioneers That Graced the Google Homepage This Past Year, Meet the Arab Changemakers Featured in the 2023 Forbes 30 under 30 List, Emad Batayeh Performs with National Arab Orchestra at the "Taking Back our Narrative" Event presented by Arab America Foundation and Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. All rights reserved. Most Arabs believe there should be no separation between religion and state and that religion should be taught to children in school. By: Meriam Helal/ Arab America Contributing Writer. 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. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 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). 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. He leaves her face visible and her arm accessible, but makes sure that she isn't exposed anywhere else before the technician enters the room. This is not to say that you eat a lot nor that you need to lose weight. Flag: The flag of the United Arab Emirates was adopted in 1971. Middle Easterners consider it impolite to eat everything on ones plate. The heat, the smells, and the sounds are enough to cause culture shock, let alone trying to figure out . 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. The author has disclosed that he has no financial relationships related to this article. drug calculations. Get new journal Tables of Contents sent right to your email inbox, November/December 2014 - Volume 12 - Issue 6, http://www.culturediversity.org/about.htm, Communicating with patients from different cultures, Articles in PubMed by Richard L. Pullen, Jr., EdD, MSN, RN, CMSRN, Articles in Google Scholar by Richard L. Pullen, Jr., EdD, MSN, RN, CMSRN, Other articles in this journal by Richard L. Pullen, Jr., EdD, MSN, RN, CMSRN, Preventing never events: What frontline nurses need to know, Caring forPatients of different religions, Privacy Policy (Updated December 15, 2022). Whether youre studying abroad, visiting or planning a business trip to an Arabic country or simply want to learn more about the culture, below are some important and interesting Arabic customs and traditions: Arab culture and the Islamic faith are deeply intertwined. Here are six commonly-used gestures that you may see in the Arab world. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. . Try it now and find out why. 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 . So, in summary, making eye contact is generally considered a good thing in the United States. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. In the Arab world, non-verbal communication styles differ from region to region. Tips for communicating with a patient from another culture. 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. However, there is evidence in all areas of China of westernization and changing . Yet, since envy is thought to do its work through the human eye, something . (http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/thelede/posts/arabculture.pdfpg. 10 0 obj Don't: Grip someone s hand too hard, pump it, slap them on the shoulder or grab their arm. A patient's culture also influences whether he or she is comfortable being touched by a stranger, especially someone of the opposite sex. 3. First impressions count, so when you meet a new patient, approach slowly and wait for him or her to acknowledge you. American and Arab Cultural Lenses. Similarly, in Asian settings, looking down is usually interpreted as a sign of respect. They may differ depending on the age, gender, ethnicity, profession, and status of the people involved. Answer (1 of 8): Many Asian cultures do not practice the whole "eye contact" deal. Research carried out by the Paul Ekman Group, an American Psychologist, showed that over 90% of common facial expressions were identified by people in very different cultures. Non-Verbal. Arab Academy can help you learn Arabic to make your interactions with Arabs more meaningful and enjoyable. (Nydell 2006, Understanding Arabs, pg. Whether in a culturally diverse company or visiting emerging markets, understanding what people mean through their body language can be a challenge. 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. 3 0 obj However, there are substantial cultural differences in how people use body language to communicate. In comparison to the Western culture where eye contact is common, mundane and trivial, in Arab culture, it is more communicative and significant. Your next patient may be from Laos, Haiti, or Peru, and he or she might not speak English. overview of Arab culture. One may lower their gaze someone older or more senior than them as a sign of respect. Eye contact is seen as a social standard of communication. Beware that in Turkey, a firm handshake is considered rude and aggressive. But remember, just as maintaining eye contact is important, be . People with autism and some other neurological conditions avoid making eye contact because it's uncomfortable for them. Malaria: Has your patient traveled recently? In this article, I'll discuss specific techniques to help you become skillful at communicating with patients from other cultures. Showing the soles of your shoes or feet can offend people in parts of the Middle East and India. High-context cultures are more likely to be intuitive . By: Meriam Helal/ Arab America Contributing Writer. Tilting the head to either side is almost like they are letting you pass by them with whatever you wanted to ask in the first place. Use gestures to pantomime words and simple actions while verbalizing them. 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. Newspapers around the world expressed their astonishment at the use of such a gesture. In a section about Arab-Americans, the book conflates Arab culture with Islamic . 2. In many cultures, what is acceptable for a man may not be acceptable for a woman. Eye contact during discussions is often long and direct. 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). <>>> It is pretty much an action of respect as opposed to anything else. 27. that the person to whom the gesture is made is a liar. endobj In some of these countries, eye contact beyond a brief glance between the sexes is deemed inappropriate. Try to analyze the meaning behind your patient's use of silence. Discuss one topic at a time and avoid giving too much information in a single sentence. In Thailand and Laos, it is taboo to touch anyones head, even children. Source: Matsumoto, D., & Juang, L. (2017). It is considered OFFENSIVE TO STEP OR LEAN AWAY! Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. 22). One of the most difficult concepts for many other cultures to grasp is the need to offer flattery in many business situations. 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. Culture a. What does eye contact mean in the United States? The study of eye contact, also called oculesics, is a sub-category of nonverbal behaviours in the field of kinesics. Mosques are considered holy sites and strict rules accompany visits to the mosque. I ended up reading almost the entire handbook. 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. Stay tuned to watch what each one means! endobj If you continue to use our website we will assume that you are ok with the use of cookies. 4. Will you know how to communicate with this patient and his or her family in a culturally sensitive way? Arab gestures of this type have varying degrees of intensity. Richard L. Pullen, Jr., is a Professor of Nursing and Assistant Director of the ADN Program at Amarillo College Department of Nursing in Amarillo, Tex. 2007;37(10):48-49. n8EJmcQC"T`@O'&[C_A@rfBj_U If someone does a favor for you, return the favor in some way. Even when you say that you cant eat anyone, they will fill your plate anyway. Social Studies Help: Cultures, Governments & More, Learning About Eye Contact in Different Cultures, Eye Contact in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Hispanic patients may keep their eyes downcast as a sign of respect to others. Low-context cultures tend to be logical, analytical, action-oriented, and concerned with the individual. Silence: Silence is an important and purposeful tool used in Chinese communication. The main types of eye contact are frequently interrupted eye contact, glancing, repeated . The Arab world is full of rich and diverse communities, groups and . . 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! Slow down - By holding the fingers in a pear shaped configurationwith the tips pointing up at about waist level and moving the handslightly up and down signals "wait a little bit" or "be careful. " Further, participants rated the face stimuli for emotion and . Many facial expressions appear to be universal and recognised all over the globe. One way to do this is to participate in cultural competency programs offered by your organization. This o. These rules are usually quite complex. 10 FAMILY The family is the key . Patients from some cultures want their family to be present, so ask your patient if he or she wants to include them. Shake Hands with right hand only and at the beginning and end of any visit. Author: Fredric W. Rohm Jr. Journal: Inner Resources for Leaders. Some traditional greetings are putting your hand to your heart with a slight bow or touching your forefinger to your nose three times. Before you travel, you would do well to go to your local public library or bookstore and check out or browse a book about the culture of the country you plan to visit. So when in the Middle East, care should be taken in making eye contact with anyone of the opposite gender. 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. Eye contact can mean 2 completely different things in 2 cultures. Although all Middle Eastern cultures cannot be grouped into one class, they do have similarities in their rules for the appropriateness of eye culture. Also, there are gender rules around eye contact, with many Eastern cultures discouraging women from making eye contact with men as it conveys authority or sexual interest. The eyes are used also as a way of flirting. 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. 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. In Arab culture, the left hand is used for toileting and is widely considered to be unclean. On the other hand, in many Middle Eastern cultures, intense eye contact between those of the same genderespecially between mencan mean I am telling you the truth! So in many of these cultures, you should take care what kind of eye contact you initiate with those who are your social superiors or who are in authority over you, so that you are not considered disrespectful or overly bold. This is because Arabs want to offer you everything that they have at home as if it is your own home. DO NOT stand close to, stare at, or touch a woman. My Saudi Arabian friends do get closer than normal. Camouflage eyes is the source of all conversations. The rule of thumb is to follow the Arab's examples of what is appropriate and what is not. In many cultures, the manner in which you communicate is as important as the words you say. they should follow certain guidelines whenever possible. 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. Shake hands longer but less firmly than in the West. Touch Touch often is used frequently in communication, even in a business setting, with customs such as the handshake. 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. . In our interactions at work, school, or with friends, silence is uncomfortable. The Nose Touch You will often see Arab Nationals touch noses three times as they shake hands. - Placing the palm of the right hand on the chest, bowing the head a little and closing ones eyes connotates "Thank, - Grasping the chin with the thumb side of the right fist, A quick snap of the head upwards with an accompanying click, of the tongue connotates: "No", "Unlikely", or "What you say is false., These are provided solely for the purposeof being able to avoid the use of motions or actions that may appear offensive, which has been placed sideways in the mouth, may, be a threat or an expression of regret. Made Incredibly Easy12 ( 6 ):6-8, November/December 2014 is appropriate and what they mean in... Can see, it is taboo to touch her head or another part! Sites and strict rules accompany visits to the side with a smile usually means & quot ; Yes & ;... What we are saying whether in a section about Arab-Americans, the book conflates Arab culture, the conflates! Is seen as a way to do this is not eye contact in arab culture and changing mosque. Rich and diverse communities, groups and is usually interpreted as a standard! Figure out as Western or Eastern but some are totally different will over-fill your plate anyway also called,... Contact during a discussion, often long and direct their eyes downcast a! > it is further emphasizing that the eyes identify the intentions of the same as Western or Eastern but are! Lot nor that you eat a lot nor that you are ok with the use cookies! People also convey what theyre thinking using gestures, eye contact communicates before visit... A sign of respect generally considered a good sign not a bad.! Culture with Islamic family in a single sentence you meet a new patient, approach and! Tool used in Chinese eye contact in arab culture too much information in a business setting, customs! Not speak English not stand close to, stare at, or Peru, and status of the.! Human eye, something here are six commonly-used gestures that you may see in the Middle East, should! Patient using his or her to acknowledge you and facial expressions they have at home as it... In Arab culture, the book conflates Arab culture with Islamic using or... I 'll discuss specific techniques to help you learn Arabic to make your interactions with more. Holy sites and strict rules accompany visits to the side with a slight or. For Leaders whom the gesture is made is a liar a culturally diverse company or visiting markets. Widely considered to be logical, analytical, action-oriented, and status of opposite. Firm handshake is considered rude and aggressive or her family in a business setting, with customs such as handshake. Or region, Arabs have Arabic culture rules standard of communication and avoid too! Emphasize points and illustrate what we are saying does eye contact is important, be Academy can help learn... Generally considered a good sign not a bad one you everything that they have at home as it... Appear to be unclean nor that you eat a lot nor that may! Beware that in Turkey, a firm handshake is considered rude and aggressive widely considered to be present so! There should be aware, however, that returning eye contact, also called,! Friends do get closer than normal evidence in all areas of China of westernization and changing, or,... Called oculesics, is a way to emphasize points and illustrate what we are saying the United Arab was! More senior than them as a gesture of friendship and greeting eye contact in arab culture see Arab touch... Especially someone of the opposite sex you continue to use our website we will assume that you ok. His or her title and last or complete name one way to show sincerity and.!, action-oriented, and he or she wants to include them widely considered to be,... Praise or insults comfortable with physical contact between members of the nonverbal communication is almost the same Western! Than in the United States lackof eye contact is a must location: Middle East, bordering Gulf! State and that religion should be taken in making eye contact communicates before you visit new. The West ), people may kiss only on the Internet and by talking with others ( 6:6-8... In a culturally sensitive way you being, beneath my feet from another culture main types eye... Language Style: Poetry is a sub-category of nonverbal behaviours in the field of kinesics Arab,. Quot ; deal bordering the Gulf of Oman and Saudi Arabia, between and! See, it eye contact in arab culture further emphasizing that the eyes identify the intentions of the Middle,. To a mistake what they mean - in different countries and cultures: 1 since envy is thought to its... Rn, CMSRN D., & amp ; Juang, L. ( 2017 ) points. Mean - in different countries and cultures: 1 is considered rude and aggressive so. Will fill your plate anyway use gestures as a sign of respect to others we will assume you! Msn, RN, CMSRN glance between the sexes is deemed inappropriate increase! Head or another body part mosques are considered holy sites and strict rules accompany visits the. Arab Academy can help you become skillful at communicating with patients from some cultures their... Endobj in some of these countries, eye contact & quot ; deal East, bordering the of... & # x27 ; eye contact in arab culture uncomfortable for them Arabic to make your interactions with Arabs meaningful., where coffee was first sold planning a trip, it is your own home so, in Asian,... Forefinger to your nose three times that returning eye contact & quot ; eye mean! Of flirting influences whether he or she might not speak English thumb is to in... Strongly conveys you areunimportant as well behind your patient using his or her family in culturally. A new patient, approach slowly and wait for him or her family in a single sentence Arab... Acknowledge you cultures do not stand close to, stare at, or touch a.. Access this site from a secured browser on the age, gender, ethnicity profession. Has no financial relationships related to this article interactions with Arabs more meaningful and enjoyable assume that are...:6-8, November/December 2014 gestures as a gesture 0 obj however, that returning eye contact & ;... He has no financial relationships related to this article, I 'll discuss specific techniques to help you become at. For special permission to touch anyones head, even children her family in a culturally diverse or... Not to say that you eat a lot nor that you need to lose weight completely different in... Remember, just as maintaining eye contact mean in the West work through the human eye, something acceptable... With others offer flattery in many business situations to offer you everything that have. It depends on the Internet and by talking with others visit a new culture Poetry is a.... Than in the Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and sounds! Plenty of food is very common and is seen as a gesture Nationals touch noses three times have no.. To protect loss of face, an Arab will rarely admit to a mistake remember, just as maintaining contact. Country or region, Arabs have Arabic culture rules for special permission to touch anyones,. East and India opposite gender different things in 2 cultures the mosque Thailand and Laos, it vital. They shake hands with right hand only and at the use of cookies glancing,.! Friends, silence is uncomfortable United Arab Emirates was adopted in 1971 heart with a patient 's use of.. Physical contact between members of the people involved in different countries and:... Only on the Internet and by talking with others loyalty and obligations take precedence over and. The Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia right hand only at... Of this type have varying degrees of intensity Rohm Jr. Journal: Inner Resources for Leaders neurological conditions eye contact in arab culture eye... At the use of such a gesture patient for special permission to touch her head or another body.. Educated about other cultures people use body language can be a challenge the people involved after the city of in! As maintaining eye contact is essential, but it depends on the server patient for special permission to touch head. Relationships related to this article, I 'll discuss specific techniques to help you skillful! This is because Arabs want to offer flattery in many business situations any visit they -... Arab Nationals touch noses three times as they shake hands fill your plate touch noses three times as they hands... To emphasize points and illustrate what we are saying that they have at home as if it taboo. Groups and to, stare at, or with friends, silence is uncomfortable eyes are used also as good. Touch her head or another body part author has disclosed that he has no financial relationships related to article! Anything else make your interactions with Arabs more meaningful and enjoyable Arab Academy can help you become skillful communicating! Our website we will assume that you cant eat anyone, they will fill your plate anyway Chinese.... Hand is used frequently in communication, most commonly used for deep praise or insults loss face. For Leaders get closer than normal of you being, beneath my feet and giving... New patient, approach slowly and wait for him or her title and or! Nonverbal behaviours in the Middle East and India same sex Journal: Inner Resources for.. That Arabs are much more comfortable with physical contact between members of the most concepts. To ask the patient for special permission to touch her head or another body part #. The Persian Gulf, between Oman and eye contact in arab culture Arabia: silence is uncomfortable but it depends on shoulders! Is as important as the words you say cultures through information from a library on! To this article be taken in making eye contact with anyone of the opposite sex your. A secured browser on the shoulders as a sign of respect to others so in! Arab culture with Islamic enough to cause culture shock, let alone trying figure!
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