"What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
Feb 23rd 2012, 8:41 am
#1
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"What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
http://www.emirates247.com/lifestyle...02-23-1.444585
Nothing new in this article, but someone has made a comment at the end which I think is rather pertinent.
"Good tips. You should also do a guide about how to interact with Westerners. And Asians - and so on. Why only a guide about interacting with Arabs? The demographics in the country are mixed, and most persons who physically operate many services and form the majority of the purchasing public, are expats."
As expats we are always being told that we must respect local customs, which is fair enough, but as we are all guests in the UAE, should this cut both ways?
Discuss...
Nothing new in this article, but someone has made a comment at the end which I think is rather pertinent.
"Good tips. You should also do a guide about how to interact with Westerners. And Asians - and so on. Why only a guide about interacting with Arabs? The demographics in the country are mixed, and most persons who physically operate many services and form the majority of the purchasing public, are expats."
As expats we are always being told that we must respect local customs, which is fair enough, but as we are all guests in the UAE, should this cut both ways?
Discuss...
Feb 23rd 2012, 11:24 am
#2
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Re: "What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
It's interesting - in the UK we are forever being told that we should respect foreign customs and make allowances for visitors and recent immigrants, but here we see that it's the other way round - foreigners should respect local customs.
Feb 23rd 2012, 3:37 pm
#3
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Re: "What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
Do as i say not as i do comes to mind
It could also indicate that you are feeling impatient – a social crime in the Gulf
‘Slow down a bit; be gentle; be patient.’ On the road, truck and other drivers, will make the gesture through the vehicle’s side window to other drivers. It means: ‘Please let me in’ or ‘Please let me change lanes’.
In my time in the Gulf, i never saw Arabs asking for permission through a hand gesture, they would just shove in
It could also indicate that you are feeling impatient – a social crime in the Gulf
‘Slow down a bit; be gentle; be patient.’ On the road, truck and other drivers, will make the gesture through the vehicle’s side window to other drivers. It means: ‘Please let me in’ or ‘Please let me change lanes’.
In my time in the Gulf, i never saw Arabs asking for permission through a hand gesture, they would just shove in
Feb 23rd 2012, 3:51 pm
#4
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Re: "What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
http://www.emirates247.com/lifestyle...02-23-1.444585
Nothing new in this article, but someone has made a comment at the end which I think is rather pertinent.
"Good tips. You should also do a guide about how to interact with Westerners. And Asians - and so on. Why only a guide about interacting with Arabs? The demographics in the country are mixed, and most persons who physically operate many services and form the majority of the purchasing public, are expats."
As expats we are always being told that we must respect local customs, which is fair enough, but as we are all guests in the UAE, should this cut both ways?
Discuss...
Nothing new in this article, but someone has made a comment at the end which I think is rather pertinent.
"Good tips. You should also do a guide about how to interact with Westerners. And Asians - and so on. Why only a guide about interacting with Arabs? The demographics in the country are mixed, and most persons who physically operate many services and form the majority of the purchasing public, are expats."
As expats we are always being told that we must respect local customs, which is fair enough, but as we are all guests in the UAE, should this cut both ways?
Discuss...
Feb 23rd 2012, 3:57 pm
#5
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,107
Re: "What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
I've heard this often, invariably from people decrying "political correctness" or "multiculturalism", but I can never recall any specific examples. Could you please quote some?
Feb 23rd 2012, 4:31 pm
#6
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Re: "What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
Afghanistan, bonfire and some books springs to mind
Feb 23rd 2012, 5:00 pm
#7
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Re: "What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
muezzin call to prayer
Sharia law
special rooms set aside for prayers
Feb 23rd 2012, 5:16 pm
#8
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Re: "What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
However, my question was in response to this contention:
in the UK we are forever being told that we should respect foreign customs
I just don't recall this constant exhortation and I am wondering if anybody can point me towards some SPECIFIC examples rather than hearsay, supposition or hagioigraphy.
Feb 26th 2012, 3:39 am
#9
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Re: "What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
I can recall numerous newspaper (Daily Mail etc.) articles loudly decrying special consideration for Muslims (by the way, can you tell me where in the UK there is a broadcast call to prayer or indeed a Sharia court?).
However, my question was in response to this contention:
However, my question was in response to this contention:
in the UK we are forever being told that we should respect foreign customs
I just don't recall this constant exhortation and I am wondering if anybody can point me towards some SPECIFIC examples rather than hearsay, supposition or hagioigraphy.They, as teaching staff, are constantly reminded to use the phrases they have been taught in other languages to get attention / tell off / organise the kids.
That, taking the religious connection the school has to one side away, is in my opinion; taking the absolute piss.
Feb 26th 2012, 4:36 am
#10
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Re: "What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
My friend is a teacher in the UK in a school in a nice city, 60% of the girls that go to the ROMAN CATHOLIC all girls school do not have English as first language. Majority are Indian / Pakistani, mixed in with some Polish.
They, as teaching staff, are constantly reminded to use the phrases they have been taught in other languages to get attention / tell off / organise the kids.
That, taking the religious connection the school has to one side away, is in my opinion; taking the absolute piss.
They, as teaching staff, are constantly reminded to use the phrases they have been taught in other languages to get attention / tell off / organise the kids.
That, taking the religious connection the school has to one side away, is in my opinion; taking the absolute piss.
Feb 26th 2012, 7:16 am
#12
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Re: "What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
I was brought up to respect other cultures and not assume that everyone thinks the same way I do.
Feb 26th 2012, 9:03 am
#13
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Re: "What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
But yes, there are many examples of UK 'locals' (well that's what they are) are not given cultural primacy as a matter of course, and are told (as often by other UK locals as by any particular foreign group) to respect foreign culture and custom in their own country.
It's the same old tune - people so scared to seem intolerant and offensive they will proverbially cut off their own right hand. A famous ancient Greek once said 'Tolerance is a virtue - but it is also the immediate neighbour of apathy and weakness'. Speaking in very general terms (how else can we speak on such matters?) I think we are weak and apathetic today. Few love their country, their culture and their people...many are scared to for fear of being accused on being something they are not (racist, intolerant etc).
Anyway rant over
N.
Feb 28th 2012, 6:44 pm
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Re: "What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
I can recall numerous newspaper (Daily Mail etc.) articles loudly decrying special consideration for Muslims (by the way, can you tell me where in the UK there is a broadcast call to prayer or indeed a Sharia court?).
However, my question was in response to this contention:
However, my question was in response to this contention:
in the UK we are forever being told that we should respect foreign customs
I just don't recall this constant exhortation and I am wondering if anybody can point me towards some SPECIFIC examples rather than hearsay, supposition or hagioigraphy.
Feb 28th 2012, 6:46 pm
#15
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Re: "What you should do when you interact with Arabs"
I read online a few years ago that staff in one UK council office were asked to avoid eating and drinking in front of colleagues who might be fasting for ramadan - can't be bothered looking that up.
But yes, there are many examples of UK 'locals' (well that's what they are) are not given cultural primacy as a matter of course, and are told (as often by other UK locals as by any particular foreign group) to respect foreign culture and custom in their own country.
It's the same old tune - people so scared to seem intolerant and offensive they will proverbially cut off their own right hand. A famous ancient Greek once said 'Tolerance is a virtue - but it is also the immediate neighbour of apathy and weakness'. Speaking in very general terms (how else can we speak on such matters?) I think we are weak and apathetic today. Few love their country, their culture and their people...many are scared to for fear of being accused on being something they are not (racist, intolerant etc).
Anyway rant over
N.
But yes, there are many examples of UK 'locals' (well that's what they are) are not given cultural primacy as a matter of course, and are told (as often by other UK locals as by any particular foreign group) to respect foreign culture and custom in their own country.
It's the same old tune - people so scared to seem intolerant and offensive they will proverbially cut off their own right hand. A famous ancient Greek once said 'Tolerance is a virtue - but it is also the immediate neighbour of apathy and weakness'. Speaking in very general terms (how else can we speak on such matters?) I think we are weak and apathetic today. Few love their country, their culture and their people...many are scared to for fear of being accused on being something they are not (racist, intolerant etc).
Anyway rant over
N.