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Online Middle East & Arab Cultural Awareness eLearning Course

Commisceo Global・2 minutes read

Understanding Arab culture and communication challenges is crucial for professionals interacting in the Middle East due to the impact of history, values, and lack of cultural understanding on business interactions. Cultural differences driven by education, family, and religion influence communication styles, perceptions, and interpretations, highlighting the need for cultural awareness to build successful relationships and avoid misunderstandings.

Insights

Lack of cultural understanding can lead to severe consequences in business interactions in the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of learning about Arab culture to avoid misunderstandings and build successful relationships.
Communication in the Middle East is indirect, emphasizing the value of spoken words, maintaining face, and utilizing gestures like the hand signal of fingertips pointing upwards to convey messages of calming down or patience, showcasing the significance of non-verbal cues in interactions.

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Recent questions

What are the main topics covered in the course?
The course covers history, culture, values, and business impact.
What is the significance of understanding cultural differences?
Understanding cultural differences is crucial for successful relationships.
What are the main influences on Arab culture?
Arab culture is influenced by education, family, and religion.
What are the main sects in Islam?
Sunni and Shia are the main sects in Islam.
What is the significance of personal dignity in Arab culture?
Personal dignity is crucial in the Middle East.

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Summary

00:00

Navigating Arab Culture for Business Success

The course is designed for professionals interacting with individuals from the Middle East, focusing on Arab culture and communication challenges.
It covers topics like history, culture, values, and their impact on business interactions in the region.
Lack of cultural understanding can lead to severe consequences, as seen in a case involving a security firm during a religious event.
Understanding cultural differences is crucial to building successful relationships and avoiding misunderstandings.
Cultural differences are driven by values learned through education, family, and religion, impacting communication styles.
People view the world through their unique cultural lens, influencing perceptions and interpretations of situations.
Cultural awareness helps avoid misjudgments based on one's own cultural standards when interacting with individuals from different cultures.
The Middle East's cultural diversity is influenced by social class and country, emphasizing the need to avoid stereotypes.
The Middle East's history involves various rulers and changes, leading to the formation of modern nation-states post-World War I.
The Middle East comprises the Levant, Gulf, and Egypt, each with distinct characteristics, history, and cultural influences.

18:18

Languages, Religion, and Culture in the Middle East

English is widely spoken in the Arab world, taught in schools, and proficiency is high, especially in Gulf countries due to education in the US and Europe.
Besides English, other languages like Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Tamil, and Tagalog are heard due to a large expat community.
Learning the local language is appreciated, and useful videos in the resource section can help with basic phrases.
Islam is the most practiced religion in the Middle East, with Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists also present.
Islam originates from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, with the Quran and teachings of Muhammad forming the religion.
Sunni and Shia are the main sects in Islam, differing on the rightful successor to Muhammad.
Muslims believe in one God, Allah, and the Quran as the word of God, with shared beliefs in angels, heaven, hell, and destiny.
Islam views the world as a test, with behavior aligned with God's commands leading to an eternal afterlife.
Arab culture emphasizes tribal roots, with tribal traditions, extended families, and loyalty to family being significant.
Personal dignity, honor, and protecting one's reputation are crucial in the Middle East, with face being gained or lost based on behavior and interactions.

35:58

Middle East Beliefs and Communication Styles

The evil eye is a supernatural force caused by jealousy, leading people to use amulets to protect against harm or illness.
Jinn, invisible beings created by fire, are blamed for bad luck or illness in Islamic tradition.
Fatalistic beliefs in the Middle East are reflected in the phrase "inshallah," meaning "if God wills."
People in the region believe they can change the future through good intentions, hard work, and God's guidance.
A special prayer helps Muslims make difficult decisions by receiving guidance through feelings or dreams.
The oral tradition in the Middle East is vital, with stories and sayings of Prophet Muhammad forming the basis of Sharia law.
Communication in the Middle East is indirect, with great value placed on the spoken word and maintaining face.
Direct and indirect communication styles differ in their approach to relationships, feelings, and status.
Silence is used effectively in the Middle East for various reasons, including negotiation and giving time to think.
Conflict resolution in the region emphasizes reconciliation, humility, and sharing blame to repair relationships and maintain face.

54:44

Middle Eastern Cultural Etiquette and Customs

People in the Middle East are expressive with their hands and voices, often engaging in spirited debates rather than heated arguments.
A crucial hand signal involves bringing the fingertips of the right hand together pointing upwards, signaling either to calm down or be patient.
Modesty in attire is highly valued in the Middle East, with expectations varying based on the country, sector, gender, and time of year.
Business attire for men typically includes suits, shirts, ties, and smart shoes, while women should opt for business attire with trousers and avoid showing skin above the knee.
In Saudi Arabia, foreign women are not required to wear the hijab but must wear an abaya, a long black gown.
Dress codes are more relaxed in the private sector, with some media and tech companies allowing casual wear like jeans and sports shoes.
Modesty is crucial for both men and women, with loose-fitting clothing and covering from ankles to neck and wrists being common practice.
Names in the Middle East hold significance, reflecting lineage, tribe, and family status, with formal Arab names often indicating lineage and tribal identity.
When addressing people, using titles like Mr. or Mrs. followed by their surname is common, with the transition to first names typically occurring after the other party signals comfort.
Greetings in the Middle East often involve polite phrases like "assalamu alaikum," meaning "peace be with you," with responses varying based on cultural norms.

01:13:01

Navigating Cultural Gift-Giving and Dining Etiquette

Women in some cultures may not buy gifts for men directly, often attributing them to their husbands or intended for the recipient's wife to avoid awkwardness.
Buying small gifts for people's children can help build relationships by showing affection and consideration for their family.
In companies with no gift-giving policies, replace physical gifts with gestures like taking people out to eat to engage in giving within policy boundaries.
Giving culturally representative gifts, especially edible ones, is well-received, but ensure they don't violate any taboos.
When dining in certain regions, observe local customs like sitting on the floor, eating with hands, and understanding the etiquette of who pays the bill, with hosts typically covering expenses.

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