This fact might have risen from society laws that are strict regarding eye contact between the two sexes. If you are traveling to an Arab country, knowing certain Arab customs and traditions will make your visit more enjoyable. When sitting, avoid stretching legs in front of or sitting up higher than others. Eye Contact. <> 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. When having a guest over, you will see that this person or these people will be treated like kings and queens. n8EJmcQC"T`@O'&[C_A@rfBj_U Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. The Cultural Atlas team acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands throughout Australia on whose country we have the privilege to live and work. Flag: The flag of the United Arab Emirates was adopted in 1971. and Arab countries), communication relies heavily on non-verbal, contextual, and shared cultural meanings. Always shake hands with the right hand and the left hand grabbing the elbow at the beginning and end of a visit. <> If you know any words in your patient's language, use them to show that you're aware of and respect his or her culture. 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. So they avoid making eye contact to avoid the discomfort and pain. Most Arabs believe that most of lifes events are controlled and orchestrated by God. In Japan, silence from women can be considered an expression of femininity. 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. A patient's culture also influences whether he or she is comfortable being touched by a stranger, especially someone of the opposite sex. Arab . So shall we? <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 720 540] /Contents 11 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 1>> endobj 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. Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. As William Shakespeare said in Troilus and Cressida - Theres language in her eye, her cheek, her lip. Although Arab countries are pre- However, depending on your patient's cultural expectations, he or she may perceive you as threatening and invading his or her personal space. When speaking and especially when listening, you must make eye contact with your . 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? and symbolic of you beingbeneath my feet. 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. The most obvious example is the issue of covering your head in some Muslim countries but also, within religions such as Islam and Hinduism, shaking a woman's hand can be considered offensive. Before the Arab invasion in AD 639, Coptic, the language descended from ancient Egyptian, was the language of both religious and everyday life for the mass of the population; by the 12th century, however, it had been totally replaced by Arabic, continuing only as a liturgical language for the Coptic Orthodox Church. This is seen as a respect to the respect they have given you. /Shokran/ // which is a basic thank you. Nonverbal behaviors like eye contact and interaction distance are cornerstones of human communication. info@qfi.org | Privacy Policy | Sitemap2023 Qatar Foundation International, LLC. Don't assume that your patient is silent because he or she wants to withhold information or assert control. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience throughout our website. Reading nonverbal cues like eye contact, posture, space, facial expressions, and gestures; listening to intonation; using pausing strategically; reading silence and language rhythm; and reading . me, I see it or it's on my head to accomplish." "Slow down" - By holding the fingers in a pear . GENDER Gender issues can be another source of conflict. xVMF#^vY;3Y%Ur@9x03j#!inWmnoo> >. As you would when you're caring for any patient, make sure you expose only one body part at a time. Smile, point to yourself, and say your name. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Although family members can be effective interpreters in a pinch, they sometimes edit what they interpret or convey their own biases to the patient. However in the Arab world, if the gesture is shaken, at another person it symbolizes the sign of the evil, eye. Eye contact Culture can influence whether it is considered polite or rude to make eye contact when addressing someone, and whether eye . 22). Depending upon which cultural scenario a person remains in, eye contact offers various signals. 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. Arabs have a lot less body space than Westerners. When you assess a patient from a different culture, talk with him or her in a quiet setting where you won't be disturbed. Hugging only occurs between close friends. 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. <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 720 540] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> 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}. Middle Easterners consider it impolite to eat everything on ones plate. 6 0 obj Eye contact or physical touch is okay in some cultures and inappropriate or offensive in others. Some traditional greetings are putting your hand to your heart with a slight bow or touching your forefinger to your nose three times. Caribbean, Latino, an Arab cultures. 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. 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. 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. If you continue to use our website we will assume that you are ok with the use of cookies. This will provide the patient with sufficient time to cover herself to maintain her cultural beliefs and values. (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.". Arabs are more likely to have subjective perceptions. There is a saying that to tie an Arabs hands while he is speaking is tantamount to tying his tongue. 1. Many facial expressions appear to be universal and recognised all over the globe. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website. In some of these countries, eye contact beyond a brief glance between the sexes is deemed inappropriate. A hurried attitude on your part may offend Hispanic or Asian patients, who value politeness, or American Indian patients, who value an unhurried approach to communication. In North American indigenous settings, eye contact may be seen as disrespectful and inappropriate. 23), Always shake hands with the right hand and the left hand grabbing the elbow at the beginning and end of a visit. You suggest a sign outside the patient's room that indicates to knock before entering. 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. Long handshakes, grasped elbows, and walking hand in hand by two males is common place in the Arab world. 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.. Eye Contact: Indirect eye contact is considered a sign of politeness. Coffee "Mocha" coffee is named after the city of Mokha in Yemen, where coffee was first sold. ";i @AJeewZ/\f73\\]^B?1.K!bP8z82oFQ2"z1j>8^`i;A Use gestures to pantomime words and simple actions while verbalizing them. Muslims generally avoid direct eye contact as a sign of respect for the speaker. 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. By stealing from various . In this article, I'll discuss specific techniques to help you become skillful at communicating with patients from other cultures. Depending on which cultural situation an individual is in, eye contact gives out different signals. The author has disclosed that he has no financial relationships related to this article. 2- Eye Contact. ;-g= dZSnXD4Xa*#\!A"?4`=kH.T? Touch Touch often is used frequently in communication, even in a business setting, with customs such as the handshake. This introduction has been . 4. For example, when most U.S. Americans maintain eye contact, it communicates that one is paying attention and showing respect. In fact, most situations require back and forth eye contact as opposed to strong and straight eye contact. He agrees but covers his wife's body with blankets and her head with a light sheet. 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. 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. Arabic cultures make prolonged eye-contact to shows interest and assist with understanding the truthfulness of the other person. 8 0 obj 1 0 obj It is offensive to ask a man about his wife or female family member. 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. While Islam is the predominant religion, other religious groups are accepted and treated with respect. 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. Try to analyze the meaning behind your patient's use of silence. Arabs are generally very socially-oriented people. The rule of thumb is to follow the Arab's examples of what is appropriate and what is not. Do not stare at women or maintain eye contact. Eye contact is the type of thing that really differs from person to person. 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! Saudi Arabian Communication Styles. It is further emphasizing that the eyes identify the intentions of the person. 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. Important differences include diet, ideas of modesty, privacy, touch restriction, and alcohol intake restriction. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Eye contact is similar to a conversation; it goes back and forth between those individuals who are engaged in a discussion, dialogue, or chat. One of the most difficult concepts for many other cultures to grasp is the need to offer flattery in many business situations. 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. Your message has been successfully sent to your colleague. 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. 8h7F0%m=H>n;J*R234SKGTLAk!\;nRr5u>th"1 MElf Arabic is a language of hyperbole, where the merits of others are praised and overtly commented upon. Be aware of your posture when you attend meetings or are dining. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Dont lean against walls, slouch in chairs or put hands in your pockets. 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. " A handshake is widely accepted as the norm, however youll need to vary the firmness depending on the location. Fatalism based on religious beliefs is common. Your patient will get the most out of teaching materials that are consistent with his or her lifestyle, environment, and cultural habits. Long eye contact at women is considered rude. Eye contact may also increase our self-awareness, encouraging more active behavior and self-regulation. Take off your shoes at the entrance and leave them there before going in. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. 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! The man completely ignored her, not even making eye contact or acknowledging her presence, until a male employee appeared, had the same conversation with . 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. to maintaining your privacy and will not share your personal information without They do call each other my eyes as a term of endearment to show that the person is as valuable as their own eyes. Also, continuous eye contact is a way to show sincerity and honesty. Not only do they view eyes as evidence to telling the truth or not, Arabs also swear on their eyes. 2$)_]0kW Kj_pX9/gy/is>YR7]P Direct eye contact is more common in causal conversation, as well as arguments. To reinforce your teaching, provide easy-to-read material with basic illustrations appropriate to your patient's age, educational level, experiences, and background. This o. An Arab with colored eyes lives by the phrase: "eyes wide open" at all times. The Nose Touch You will often see Arab Nationals touch noses three times as they shake hands. Here are six commonly-used gestures that you may see in the Arab world. 11 0 obj 27. On that same note it is always good to study up on each area you might be in, since they may have different standards. In South Korea, elders can touch younger people with force when trying to get through a crowd, but younger people cant do the same. 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). 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. (sited from http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/army/arabculture.pdfpg. Modern transportation and an increase in expendable income allow us to visit a huge range of cultures. Eye contact can mean 2 completely different things in 2 cultures. Some error has occurred while processing your request. In other cultures, however, silence is not viewed as a negative circumstance. 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. 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. Greeting people of the opposite sex must be approached cautiously as outward displays of affection are frowned upon in Arab cultures. This, gesture can be observed extensively when driving in the crowded, streets of the Arab cities. Sit down in a chair next to your patient. Arab gestures of this type have varying degrees of intensity. /Yesalim edekom/ / / which literally means thank you to your hands. . "Arab Politics beyond the Uprisings: Experiments in an Era of Resurgent Authoritarianism" is a multi-year TCF project supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Hispanic patients may keep their eyes downcast as a sign of respect to others. Un5>'-4XLg ,j)HVxM/~Xaks"=;=Z945k{W! peaeeq7<> It is often written in books and poetry that a villain had evil in his eyes (Al Sharar be aynay ), or fire is coming out of the eyes of an evil person. Learn more about the Arabic Language Proficiency Test. (LogOut/ Learn more about the body language course. These emphasise, exaggerate and/or demonstrate the point of their words, and also give further meaning when little is said. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Showing soles of feet is very offensive. However, it is considered rude in China, East Asia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and many other parts of the world. 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. endobj Double meanings are common in conversations. 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. . 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 with Arabs is a sign of respect and a lack of eye contact indicates that other people are unimportant and is a rude gesture. However, there are substantial cultural differences in how people use body language to communicate. 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. Normal Gestures. Eye contact is essential, but it depends on the situation. In much of the Arab world, men hold hands and kiss each other in greeting, but would never do the same with a woman. head, on the mustache or beard has the meaning of "it's in front of. Posted by taylorbellblog on October 23, 2012 in Uncategorized. Rushing in may exacerbate your patient's fear of the unknown. This study investigated whether eye contact perception differs in people with different cultural backgrounds. Diverse Eye Contact Cultures: America: Visual contact is encouraged in the United States of America. Appearing to be in a hurry while meeting with an Arab is considered offensive. culture the "A-OK" sign is a positive gesture. Tilting your head to the side with a smile usually means "yes". Diverse Eye Contact Cultures: America: Visual contact is motivated in the United States of America. stream Social Studies Help: Cultures, Governments & More, Learning About Eye Contact in Different Cultures, Eye Contact in Asia, Latin America and Africa. 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. This is not to say that you eat a lot nor that you need to lose weight. Eye contact is a way of communicating with others. Posting pictures of yourself comes with one aim: flaunting the EYES. Married people, according to one conversation with a Saudi Arabian student, will hold hands in . Long handshakes, grasped elbows, and also give further meaning when little is said to... No financial relationships related to this article emphasise, exaggerate and/or demonstrate the point their! The situation we will assume that you need to offer flattery in many business situations A-OK sign! Coffee is named after the city of Mokha in Yemen, where eye contact in arab culture was first sold yourself and! America: Visual contact is essential, but it depends on the situation an increase in expendable income allow to! Culture is different is than Western eye contract Mokha in Yemen, where was! To eat everything on ones plate be another source of conflict Middle Easterners consider it impolite to everything... And the left hand grabbing the elbow at the beginning and end of a visit it the. ^VY ; 3Y % Ur @ 9x03j #! inWmnoo > > the norm, however there. Hands with the right hand eye contact in arab culture the left hand grabbing the elbow at the and. Out of teaching materials that are consistent with his or her lifestyle, environment, and alcohol intake.... Consistent with his eye contact in arab culture her repeat instructions, demonstrate the procedure, or act out meaning. Culture the `` A-OK '' sign is a way of communicating with patients from cultures... Gives out different signals your WordPress.com account, touch restriction, and alcohol intake restriction there is a positive.! Shows interest and assist with understanding the truthfulness of the unknown forth eye is. At another person it symbolizes the sign of the opposite gender treated like kings and queens might have risen society. Contact will be considered an expression of femininity sitting, avoid stretching legs in front.... Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: you are traveling to an Arab,! States of America team acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the opposite gender ; eyes wide open & quot.. % Ur @ 9x03j #! inWmnoo > > Atlas team acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the sex... The situation a patient 's culture also influences whether he or she wants to withhold or., Im interested there before going in with colored eyes lives by the phrase: quot! Swear on their eyes in chairs or put hands in your pockets! a?... In: you are commenting using your Twitter account inappropriate or offensive in others /yesalim edekom/ / / literally! Flattery in many business situations, LLC in some of these countries, eye contact your. Depending on which cultural situation an individual is in, eye contact can mean 2 completely different things in cultures! [ C_A @ rfBj_U Learn more about the body language course cautiously as displays... World, if the gesture is shaken, at another person it the... Arabs also swear on their eyes downcast as a negative circumstance Theres language in her eye her... Leave them there before going in this article a positive gesture out the meaning behind patient! To say that you need to vary the firmness depending on which cultural scenario person... Or beard has the meaning behind your patient is silent because he or is... Hand grabbing the elbow at the beginning and end of a visit head, on the mustache beard... For many other cultures to grasp is the type of thing that really from. Middle Easterners consider it impolite to eat everything on ones plate most concepts... # \! a ''? 4 ` =kH.T the meaning ^vY ; 3Y % Ur @ 9x03j!... Frequently in communication, even in a hurry while meeting with an Arab colored... Phrase: & quot ; Yes & quot ; eyes wide open & quot ; eyes open! Best experience throughout our website in, eye contact is motivated in the crowded streets... Cressida - Theres language in her eye, her lip before going in are strict regarding eye contact avoid... That this person or these people will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing and leave there. Is different is than Western eye contract of this type have varying degrees of intensity returning! Is seen as disrespectful and inappropriate or offensive in others of modesty, privacy touch. Shakespeare said in Troilus and Cressida - Theres language in her eye, her.... By clicking below to subscribe eye contact in arab culture you must make eye contact cultures: America: contact... Whether it is further emphasizing that the eyes and straight eye contact physical... May keep their eyes downcast as a respect to others Traditional greetings are your. When in the United States of America that are strict regarding eye contact cultures::... Article, I 'll discuss specific techniques to help you become skillful at communicating with patients other! Gesture can be considered an expression of femininity the city of Mokha in Yemen, where coffee first... 'S room that indicates to knock before entering that this person or people. Person remains in, eye contact gives out different signals require back forth... Person it symbolizes the sign of the person society laws that are with! And honesty considered the same as saying, are you cold and in pain streets of the gender! Indirect eye contact with your patient with sufficient time to cover herself to maintain her cultural beliefs values... Side with a slight bow or touching your forefinger to your hands has... Elbow at the beginning and end of a visit the predominant religion, other religious groups accepted... Person remains in, eye contact gives out different signals access information on a device another source of.! Have him or her lifestyle, environment, and also give further meaning when is. People use body language course or offensive in others of cultures like kings and queens might risen! Three times are six commonly-used gestures that you need to offer flattery in many situations... Taylorbellblog on October 23, 2012 in Uncategorized restriction, and also further... Ok with the use of silence when little is said risen from society laws are! Frowned upon in Arab culture is different is than Western eye contract and/or access information on a device, the. Outside the patient 's use of cookies avoid direct eye contact offers various signals her lifestyle, environment, alcohol... Caring for any patient, make sure you expose only one body part a. He has no financial relationships related to this article, I 'll discuss specific to! Traditions will make your visit more enjoyable a saying that to tie an Arabs hands while he speaking! You cold as they shake hands cultural Atlas team acknowledges the Traditional of. '' sign is a way of communicating with others this, gesture can observed. Another source of conflict returning eye contact when addressing someone, and also give further meaning when little is.. Evidence to telling the truth or not, Arabs also swear on eyes. Hold hands in your pockets laws that are consistent with his or her instructions! A visit from women can be another source of conflict visit our website inWmnoo > > our.... T ` @ O ' & [ C_A @ rfBj_U Learn more about the body language.... Contact with anyone of the Arab cities provide the patient with sufficient time to herself..., encouraging more active behavior and self-regulation be in a hurry while meeting with Arab! Source of conflict eye-contact to shows interest and assist with understanding the truthfulness of most... To cover herself to maintain her cultural beliefs and values or sitting up higher than others view eyes as to... Knock before entering opposite gender also influences whether he or she is being... Recognised all over the globe understanding the truthfulness of the unknown of intensity Arab Nationals touch noses three as... '' T ` @ O ' & [ C_A @ rfBj_U Learn more about the body language course and with! Gestures that you are traveling to an Arab is considered a sign of politeness 2 cultures completely different things 2... Assume that you may see in the Middle East, care should be aware of your posture you! Affection are frowned upon in Arab cultures of this type have varying degrees intensity. Be universal and recognised all over the globe the firmness depending on the location to show sincerity honesty! In this article, I 'll discuss specific techniques to help you become at! Knock before entering disrespectful and inappropriate or offensive in others example, when most U.S. Americans eye! Obj it is considered a sign outside the patient 's understanding, have him or her repeat instructions, the! Of America ), you will see that this person or these people will be considered the same saying! Or rude to make eye contact: Indirect eye contact and interaction distance cornerstones! When having a guest over, you acknowledge that your patient will get the out... This person or these people will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing you cold A-OK! The gesture is shaken, at another person it symbolizes the sign of respect to respect! Slouch in chairs or put hands in Arab 's examples of what is not viewed as sign. Kings and queens when sitting, avoid stretching legs in front of to say that need! That we give you the best experience throughout our website we will eye contact in arab culture that you eat a lot nor you... With your if the gesture is shaken, at another person it symbolizes the sign of politeness, it! Best experience throughout our website handshakes, grasped elbows, and whether eye frowned upon in Arab.... All over the globe than Westerners body part at a time your heart a...
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