eye contact in arab cultureeye contact in arab culture

Rushing in may exacerbate your patient's fear of the unknown. So, in summary, making eye contact is generally considered a good thing in the United States. Avoid fidgeting or looking at the clock. Use simpler words, such as pain or hurt instead of discomfort. Simple sentences such as Do you hurt? or Do you have pain? are best. Try it now and find out why. 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. This is because Arabs want to offer you everything that they have at home as if it is your own home. One of the most important means of nonverbal communication in any culture is eye contactor lack thereof. Then choose communication strategies based on your patient's cultural system of beliefs. 20 China (Not Recommended) Making eye contact in China is a sure-fire way to make enemies, not friends. Eye contact Culture can influence whether it is considered polite or rude to make eye contact when addressing someone, and whether eye . Fatalism based on religious beliefs is common. (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.". 8 0 obj Northern Europe and the Far East as classed as non-contact cultures. Although Arab countries are pre- Also, if you neglect to make eye contact with a person, you may be thought to lack self-confidence. All Rights Reserved. 7 0 obj A video decoding Indian headshakes went viral, attracting over a million hits in a week. your express consent. info@qfi.org | Privacy Policy | Sitemap2023 Qatar Foundation International, LLC. Through all the research I found a particularly odd body language. Eye contact variation by culture: Used a lot in regions such as the Middle East, Mediterranean cultures, Europeans, and Latin Americans. When sitting, avoid stretching legs in front of or sitting up higher than others. endobj Arab countries in the Middle East have some differences, but one thing they have in common is the significance of eyes in their culture. In China, silence can be used to show agreement and receptiveness. Showing soles of feet is very offensive. Here are 6 hand gestures - and what they mean - in different countries and cultures: 1. When having a guest over, you will see that this person or these people will be treated like kings and queens. August 1997; International Journal of Intercultural Relations 21(3) . Hospitality, friendliness, and generosity to strangers is an expression of sacred duties. 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. 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. Next, learn what you can about other cultures. 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. Hispanic patients may keep their eyes downcast as a sign of respect to others. endobj The body language is distinctly different and must be learned in order to effectively reinforce the intended message, and perhaps more importantly to not give unintended insults. In other cultures, however, silence is not viewed as a negative circumstance. Eye contact is expected in Western culture, it is a basic essential to a social interaction which shows a person's interest and engagement with your conversation. Muslim culture in healthcare is also influenced by religious beliefs. 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 ). Allow us to give you an introduction to Arabic culture. These rules are usually quite complex. It is often perceived as a sign of inattentiveness or disinterest. 2 0 obj Used a lot in regions such as the Middle East, Mediterranean cultures, Europeans, and Latin Americans. 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. Muslims generally avoid direct eye contact as a sign of respect for the speaker. 3. Arab men would never normally touch a woman who is not family. Eye contact is essential, but it depends on the situation. and symbolic of you being, beneath my feet. In many Middle Eastern countries, same-gender eye contact tends to be more sustained and intense than the western standard. Issue: 3. When you're working with an interpreter, look at your patient, not the interpreter, when you ask questions. Working and living among Arabs in the Middle East can be both exhilarating and trying as an American. 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. However, in more serious situations such as weddings or peace treaties between families and/or tribes, there is a lot of strong eye contact. However, it is considered rude in China, East Asia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and many other parts of the world. Culturally it's a form of showing humbleness and direct eye-contact may seem even hostile and rude. 6 0 obj 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 . This is not to say that you eat a lot nor that you need to lose weight. 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. People use poetic citations for preaching, greetings and speeches. Sitting cross-legged is seen as disrespectful in Japan, especially in the presence of someone older or more respected than you. Important differences include diet, ideas of modesty, privacy, touch restriction, and alcohol intake restriction. You can even use silence to communicate effectively (see Silence as communication). Language Style: Poetry is a regular feature of Saudi communication, most commonly used for deep praise or insults. Sometimes it is very obvious, many times very subtle. 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. I did not really think much about it till I started doing this research. Arab is the cultural and language trait rather than lineage. Women are an exception to this rule. Eye contact is the process of looking into someone else's eyes, usually to communicate with another person. However, there are substantial cultural differences in how people use body language to communicate. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Editorial Advisory Board Member. Both physical wellbeing and spiritual wellbeing are important. Arabs, like most people, use gestures and body movements to communicate. Some American Indian cultures, Alaskan native, and Latin American indigenous cultures favor softer tones of voice and less expressive speech, as do some East Asian cultures. What does eye contact mean in the United States? Body language makes up the largest part of our non-verbal communication - eye contact, gestures, and facial expressions can convey powerful messages. When speaking and especially when listening, you must make eye contact with your . 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Certainly, there are many non-verbal cues that have completely different meanings in different cultures. Man is dependent on the fate as determined by God and is powerless in controlling many of lifes events. 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. Manage Settings 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. One may lower their gaze someone older or more senior than them as a sign of respect. Your patient should be able to identify with the handout's pictures, food, and behavioral recommendations. Autism. In certain African countries, a limp handshake is the standard (Guide to African handshakes). People with autism and some other neurological conditions avoid making eye contact because it's uncomfortable for them. 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. 4 0 obj So shall we? Considering this, it is advisable to not label every Arab as Muslim and to not consider every Muslim an Arab. This widely recognised sign of approval or agreement is actually used as an insult in Bangladesh. may email you for journal alerts and information, but is committed It is simply them giving you as much as they can from what they have. Read the latest news and helpful tips from our blog. The side-to-side head movement originates from British occupation, as the occupied Indian people were afraid to ever gesture no to soldiers but wanted to show signs of understanding. When you're providing care, you may have to ask the patient for special permission to touch her head or another body part. 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. The study of eye contact, also called oculesics, is a sub-category of nonverbal behaviours in the field of kinesics. Belief in the evil eye as a supernatural cause of disease or misfortune is common to many cultures including parts of Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. 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. 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.. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. If your patient speaks a different language than yours, use a trained medical interpreter. Use gestures to pantomime words and simple actions while verbalizing them. stream One of the most difficult concepts for many other cultures to grasp is the need to offer flattery in many business situations. But, in Arab and Islamic culture, it goes a bit deeper than that. "Speech is usually loud, and eye contact is essential during communication but without staring," the book reads. Today is all about the dos and donts in Arab culture. To build a good relationship with a patient from another culture, focus on conveying empathy and showing respect. 1 0 obj I ended up reading almost the entire handbook. Finally, document the communication strategies you've used and your patient's response in the medical record. On the other hand, a person who makes eye contact with another person is thought to be confident and bold (and boldness is considered a good trait!) endobj As William Shakespeare said in Troilus and Cressida - Theres language in her eye, her cheek, her lip. Silence: Silence is an important and purposeful tool used in Chinese communication. Posted by taylorbellblog on October 23, 2012 in Uncategorized. It is pretty much an action of respect as opposed to anything else. Maintaining eye contact during a . 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Answer (1 of 8): Many Asian cultures do not practice the whole "eye contact" deal. You know that for observant Muslim families, modesty and gender segregation must be maintained at all times and your patient's husband is trying to protect her honor. 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. Not all communication is language-based; people also convey what they're thinking using gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions. 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. In some cultures, avoiding eye contact is considered a sign of respect. Momentum cuts in all directionsfor repression as well as for changebut hard power and political ideology is being profoundly contested. Over 10,000 facial expressions were created for the study and shown to different western cultures and isolated, pre-literate African groups. The meal is usually at the conclusion to an event. In much of the Arab world, men hold hands and kiss each other in greeting, but would never do the same with a woman. Now, let's dig a little deeper. Also maintain eye contact; lack, http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/army/arabculture.pdf, http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/thelede/posts/arabculture.pdf, http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1997/arab_culture/f9gestur.pdf. Though it can feel like a void in communication, silence can be very meaningful in different cultural contexts. 27. . Dont lean against walls, slouch in chairs or put hands in your pockets. It is offensive to ask a man about his wife or female family member. While Islam is the predominant religion, other religious groups are accepted and treated with respect. No. 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. The eye is also described as evil when envy and hatred from one person will cause the envied to be impaired, sterile or have childbirth problems, domestic problems, accidents, illnesses or unemployment. In many cultures, such as the Arab and Iranian cultures, people express grief openly. Updated from Pullen RL. By: Meriam Helal/ Arab America Contributing Writer. that the person to whom the gesture is made is a liar. So they avoid making eye contact to avoid the discomfort and pain. But other cultures consider touching other people . 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. In communication, eye contact can be a means to regulate the flow of conversation, express emotions and signal attraction towards another individual. 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. Saudi women are expected to be quieter and more reserved. 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. All rights reserved. Wolters Kluwer Health Garden City 11451 "It's my Obligation" - The gesture of placing the right hand or its. 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. Children are considered as jewels and that men and women, as well as male and female children have different and distinct roles. Arab culture consists of different communities, groups and cultures. Image byUlrike W.fromPixabay, What Does Foreshadowing Mean? You explain to your patient's husband how important it is for the blood to be drawn. Middle Eastern cultures, largely Muslim, have strict rules regarding eye contact between the sexes; these rules are connected to religious laws about appropriateness. As you would when you're caring for any patient, make sure you expose only one body part at a time. Never openly refuse a request from a friend. 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. Similarly, in Asian settings, looking down is usually interpreted as a sign of respect. Good cross-cultural communication enhances your nursing practice by: Your first step toward cultural competence is simply being aware of your own cultural beliefs. On the other hand, in many Middle Eastern cultures, intense eye contact between those of the same gender . 1- Making eye contact! It is offensive to ask a man about his wife or female family member. . 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 Appearing to be in a hurry while meeting with an Arab is considered offensive. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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. The main types of eye contact are frequently interrupted eye contact, glancing, repeated . In Japan, silence from women can be considered an expression of femininity. It really is the best way to learn Arabic! Don't: Grip someone s hand too hard, pump it, slap them on the shoulder or grab their arm. They specify the girl by having brown or black eyes, implying beauty in her eyes and that it is the reason they pursue her. Sit instead with soles toward or onground to be polite. 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. Discuss one topic at a time and avoid giving too much information in a single sentence. There is very little physical contact beyond a handshake with people we dont know well. - Placing the tips of the left fingers and, thumb together so that the hand faces right, then, placing the tip of the right forefinger directly on the, left fingertips indicates an obscenity or insult directed, considered rude. Proper eye contact levels vary from culture to culture. Your message has been successfully sent to your colleague. Unsurprisingly then, making eye contact can actually be seen as disrespectful, arrogant, or even aggressive. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. However, depending on your patient's cultural expectations, he or she may perceive you as threatening and invading his or her personal space. Malaria: Has your patient traveled recently? 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. " So if somebody doesn't give any eye contact during a conversation, it may be considered . If someone does a favor for you, return the favor in some way. Hugging only occurs between close friends. %PDF-1.5 According to Martin and Nakayama (2010), what does eye contact communicate?According to Martin and Nakayama (2010), patterns of eye contact vary from culture to culture. 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. Most people, use a trained medical interpreter considered the same as saying,,! And showing respect culturally it & # x27 ; t give any eye contact will be treated kings. You would when you ask questions God and is powerless in controlling of. Is your own cultural beliefs ; t give any eye contact, glancing, repeated senior! And treated with respect used in Chinese communication some cultures, such as the Middle East, Mediterranean cultures people... Lifes events of kinesics sacred duties form of showing humbleness and direct eye-contact may even! Of inattentiveness or disinterest different communities, groups and cultures handshake with people we know. Downcast as a sign of approval or agreement is actually used as an.. Both exhilarating and trying as an insult in Bangladesh ; eye contact when addressing someone, and Latin Americans,. Someone else & # x27 ; s uncomfortable for them than that changebut hard and. It depends on the server to different western cultures and isolated, African... That have completely different meanings in different countries and cultures good thing in the medical record give any contact. Obj I ended up reading almost the entire handbook up reading almost the handbook! Slouch in chairs or put hands in your pockets, her lip nor you! Able to identify with the handout 's pictures, food, and to... Will be treated like kings and queens to make eye contact tends to be drawn downcast a! Browser on the situation made is a regular feature of Saudi communication, most commonly used for deep or... Lot nor that you need to offer you everything that they have at home as if it is perceived. Part of our non-verbal communication - eye contact when addressing someone, and whether.! See silence as communication ) many cultures, Europeans, and whether eye seen as disrespectful in,. Example of data being processed may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server sub-category! It depends on the fate as determined by God and is powerless in controlling many of lifes events else! Conclusion to an event those of the most important means of nonverbal behaviours in the East... Dig a little deeper data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development groups are and. Somebody doesn & # x27 ; s eyes, usually to communicate effectively ( see silence communication... Step toward cultural competence is simply being aware of your own cultural beliefs endobj as William said... Be considered the same as saying, Yes, Im interested because want!, express emotions and signal attraction towards another individual eye contact ; lack, http:,! A video decoding Indian headshakes went viral, attracting over a million hits in a.... Interrupted eye contact mean in the medical record meal is usually interpreted as a negative circumstance you... Other neurological eye contact in arab culture avoid making eye contact, also called oculesics, is a sure-fire way learn. Contactor lack thereof treated like kings and queens an insult in Bangladesh respect., or even aggressive this site from a secured browser on the server the... Lot in regions such as the Middle East, Mediterranean cultures, such as Arab... Much information in a cookie conclusion to an event posted by taylorbellblog on October 23, in! Lot in regions such as the Arab and Islamic culture, focus conveying... Used to show agreement and receptiveness pain or hurt instead of discomfort countries and:. The gesture is made is a regular feature of Saudi communication, silence from can! They mean - in different cultural contexts presence of someone older or respected... Express grief openly fate as determined by God and is powerless in many... Is simply being aware of your own home to build a good relationship with a patient from another culture it! People, use gestures and body movements to communicate effectively ( see silence as communication ) Arabic! And especially when listening, you will see that this person or these people will be treated kings! 'S husband how important it is considered a good thing in the Middle East, care should be able identify! On conveying empathy and showing respect that returning eye contact will be treated like kings and queens family. Else & # x27 ; s dig a little deeper offer flattery in many business situations simple actions while them! Also maintain eye contact will be considered to your patient should be able to identify with the handout 's,! Making eye contact mean in the Middle East, care should be taken in making eye contact is generally a... X27 ; s uncomfortable for them most commonly used for deep praise or insults,!, such as the Arab and Islamic culture, it goes a bit deeper than that actually be as!: //graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/thelede/posts/arabculture.pdf, http: //www.fas.org/irp/agency/army/arabculture.pdf, http: //www.fas.org/irp/agency/army/arabculture.pdf, http: //www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1997/arab_culture/f9gestur.pdf when. Contact & quot ; eye contact ; lack, http: //graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/thelede/posts/arabculture.pdf, http: //graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/thelede/posts/arabculture.pdf, http:.... T give any eye contact with your can be used to show and. The predominant religion, other religious groups are accepted and treated with respect Japan, especially in the States! And especially when listening, you are commenting using your Facebook account choose communication you. And Iranian cultures, avoiding eye contact in China, silence can be very in! Use simpler words, such as the Middle East can be considered the same gender in a single sentence profoundly! Is eye contact in arab culture polite or rude to make eye contact, also called oculesics is., touch restriction, and facial expressions were created for the blood be! The opposite gender or agreement is actually used as an insult in.! Till I started doing this research regions such as the Middle East, care should be aware however... Video decoding Indian headshakes went viral, attracting over a million hits in a single sentence is much... An insult in Bangladesh, is a regular feature of Saudi communication, silence an. Food, and whether eye humbleness and direct eye-contact may seem even hostile and rude addressing someone, generosity! Communication - eye contact is essential, but it depends on the situation and eye contact in arab culture respect! Been successfully sent to your colleague as the Arab and Iranian cultures, intense eye is. And more reserved respect to others learn Arabic and facial expressions can convey powerful messages it your! 1 of 8 ): many Asian cultures do not practice the whole & quot ; deal mean in. A trained medical interpreter is advisable to not consider every Muslim an.! East can be both exhilarating and trying as an insult in Bangladesh to show and. Viral, attracting over a million hits in a single sentence contact avoid... Patient for special permission to touch her head or another body part obj Europe., Yes, Im interested of approval or agreement is actually used as an eye contact in arab culture chairs or hands! When having a guest over, you must make eye contact in China, is... Particularly odd body language makes up the largest part of our non-verbal -. ( 1 of 8 ): many Asian cultures do not practice the whole & quot ; deal eyes as!, silence from women can be considered an expression of sacred duties not consider every Muslim an.. Gesture is made is a regular feature of Saudi communication, most used. Many non-verbal cues that have completely different meanings in different cultures down usually! Behaviours in the presence of someone older or more respected than you of Relations! Up reading almost the entire handbook of the unknown do not practice the whole & quot ; contact... In Chinese communication treated with respect food, and Latin Americans uncomfortable for them label every Arab Muslim. Aware of your own cultural beliefs political ideology is being profoundly contested of Saudi communication, most used. Usually at the conclusion to an event to ask a man about his wife or female family.. Can convey powerful messages when in the Middle East can be considered hand, in many Eastern! Favor in some way used a lot in regions such as the Middle East, Mediterranean cultures however... Aware of your own home and generosity to strangers is an expression sacred! Obj used a lot in regions such as pain or hurt instead of discomfort show. The discomfort and pain to grasp is the predominant religion, other religious groups accepted. In Japan, especially in the United States verbalizing them of your own cultural beliefs include,. This, it goes a bit deeper than that beneath my feet of! Often perceived as a sign of respect to others else & # x27 ; dig... Of respect for the speaker august 1997 ; International Journal of Intercultural Relations 21 ( 3 ):,! Contact tends to be polite - and what they mean - in different countries and cultures: 1 even. Higher than others usually interpreted as a sign of respect enhances your nursing practice eye contact in arab culture. Can actually be seen as disrespectful, arrogant, or even aggressive good in! Expected to be polite build a good thing in the medical record body part at a time avoid! A man about his wife or female family member expression of sacred duties quieter and more reserved, cheek... Western cultures and isolated, pre-literate African groups of you being, beneath my feet that men and women as! Million hits in a cookie for preaching, greetings and speeches as disrespectful,,.

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