/Yesalim edekom/ / / which literally means thank you to your hands. I did not really think much about it till I started doing this research. The Chinese people view eye contact as a necessary tool, but not in the same way that other cultures do. In many aboriginal cultures, a question will be answered only after a period of contemplative silence. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. You'll also need to assess whether your patient isn't responding because he or she simply doesn't understand you. Make sure it provides concrete, specific, and relevant information. Sit down in a chair next to your patient. By stealing from various . As William Shakespeare said in Troilus and Cressida - Theres language in her eye, her cheek, her lip. One could innocently say to someone with a new car "Oh that's a nice car!". Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6RC2T3Q7rs, Not only do they view eyes as evidence to telling the truth or not, Arabs also swear on their eyes. Eye Contact. Here are six commonly-used gestures that you may see in the Arab world. Knowledge of the cultural and spiritual values of Muslims is critical in providing healthcare services to them. Sign up today! You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Avoid fidgeting or looking at the clock. When you're providing care, you may have to ask the patient for special permission to touch her head or another body part. Unsurprisingly then, making eye contact can actually be seen as disrespectful, arrogant, or even aggressive. For example, when most U.S. Americans maintain eye contact, it communicates that one is paying attention and showing respect. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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. Touching between . Even accidentally brushing someones arm on the street warrants an apology. 3. Sit instead with soles toward or onground to be polite. When sitting, avoid stretching legs in front of or sitting up higher than others. However, it is considered rude in China, East Asia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and many other parts of the world. 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. Although all Middle Eastern cultures cannot be grouped into one class, they do have similarities in their rules for the appropriateness of eye culture. So shall we? to maintaining your privacy and will not share your personal information without 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! Eye Contact in Arab Culture. 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. <> 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. Also, continuous eye contact is a way to show sincerity and honesty. Change). 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. How you communicate also encompasses your body language and positioning, including how much space you keep between yourself and your patient. There is a saying that to tie an Arabs hands while he is speaking is tantamount to tying his tongue. drug calculations. For this reason, Arabs stay humble and do not boast about their achievements or wealth to avoid envy and the evil eye. 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. If your patient is confined to bed, close the door or draw the curtains completely around the bed for privacy. 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. head, on the mustache or beard has the meaning of "it's in front of. Arabs . (http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/thelede/posts/arabculture.pdfpg. 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. Arabic is a language of hyperbole, where the merits of others are praised and overtly commented upon. By comparison, in the high-contact cultures of the Middle East, Latin America, and southern Europe, physical touch is a big part of socialising. In general, people from North America and Great Britain require the most personal space; those from Latin America, Japan, and the Middle East need the least and feel comfortable standing close to others. Always shake hands with the right hand and the left hand grabbing the elbow at the beginning and end of a visit. Pausing before giving a . This is seen as a respect to the respect they have given you. endobj In many cultures, what is acceptable for a man may not be acceptable for a woman. But beware of asking them to interpret for you. <> A recent study showed that more than 50% of the Arabs residing in the United States are followers of Christianity rather than Islam. If you take a look at somebody [] It is considered OFFENSIVE TO STEP OR LEAN AWAY! People who are relaxed and personable enough to establish relationships tend to be more successful. Gestures indicating obscenities or insults should not be used by non-Arabs. First impressions count, so when you meet a new patient, approach slowly and wait for him or her to acknowledge you. endobj Its also considered extremely impolite to use this gesture with people. High-context cultures are more likely to be intuitive . It is suggested to shake for a longer period of time then westerners normally would, but less firmly. The eyes are used also as a way of flirting. Placing a hand on your heart along with a slight bow is a sign of respect. We gladly want to give them to you. Expect nothing less than lots and lots of food on your plate. Weve discussed how gestures, eye contact, greetings, and physical contact can have very different meanings in different countries and cultures so youll want to learn as much as you can about the country's etiquette, values, and styles of communication before you visit. They do call each other my eyes as a term of endearment to show that the person is as valuable as their own eyes. Understanding differences in non-verbal communication is a vital part of building cross-cultural relationships. Garden City 11451 Some traditional greetings are putting your hand to your heart with a slight bow or touching your forefinger to your nose three times. While staring is not considered rude or an invasion if privacy, it is best for foreign men to avoid staring directly into the eyes of an . Never openly refuse a request from a friend. Close friends or colleagues hug and kiss both cheeks upon greeting. Become involved with various cultural groups by volunteering in the community, attending cultural festivals, or reading literature or listening to music from other cultures. 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. Arab . Arab men would never normally touch a woman who is not family. To build a good relationship with a patient from another culture, focus on conveying empathy and showing respect. Momentum cuts in all directionsfor repression as well as for changebut hard power and political ideology is being profoundly contested. In such a locale, it may be accompanied bycurses from an anxious taxi driver or a pedestrian trying to cross thestreet. In Turkey, its meant to be an insult towards gay people. In this article, I'll discuss specific techniques to help you become skillful at communicating with patients from other cultures. With the Kaleela Arabic learning app you can start learning Arabic on your own, at your own pace, whenever and wherever you want. These emphasise, exaggerate and/or demonstrate the point of their words, and also give further meaning when little is said. However, western women traveling in Muslim areas should not expect that no man will attempt to make eye contact with them. Contact between members of the opposite sex in public is considered out of bounds. Modern transportation and an increase in expendable income allow us to visit a huge range of cultures. In most western countries, eye contact is a sign of confidence and attentiveness. Only a brief moment of eye contact would be permitted between a man and a woman, if at all. 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 these parts of the world, children wont look at an adult who is speaking to them, and nor will employees to their bosses. On Inauguration Day 2005, President George W. Bush raised his fist, with the index and little finger extended, in the shape of the Texas Longhorn football team logo. 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. While Islam is the predominant religion, other religious groups are accepted and treated with respect. This introduction has been . Used a lot in regions such as the Middle East, Mediterranean cultures, Europeans, and Latin Americans. 4 0 obj forefinger on the tip of the nose, on the right lower eyelid, on top of the, head, on the mustache or beard has the meaning of "its in front of, me, I see it or its on my head to accomplish. Sitting cross-legged is seen as disrespectful in Japan, especially in the presence of someone older or more respected than you. Source: Matsumoto, D., & Juang, L. (2017). Arab culture and the Islamic faith are deeply intertwined. (LogOut/ Home health care workers should take care not to misinterpret the significance of lack of eye contact. We started our list with guests. Hispanic patients may keep their eyes downcast as a sign of respect to others. As you would when you're caring for any patient, make sure you expose only one body part at a time. Eye Contact: M: Eye contact is . So if somebody doesn't give any eye contact during a conversation, it may be considered . However, in more serious situations such as weddings or peace treaties between families and/or tribes, there is a lot of strong eye contact. In the Arab world, non-verbal communication styles differ from region to region. 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. may email you for journal alerts and information, but is committed 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 Asian cultures, the general belief is that is is unacceptable to show emotion openly (whether sadness, happiness, or pain). endobj If you continue to use our website we will assume that you are ok with the use of cookies. 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. You can use silence as a communication technique. The eyes are mentioned in songs where the eyes are used to describe beauty, evil, power and someones soul. It really is the best way to learn Arabic! If you can, take a look at how other people around youespecially the successful onesuse eye contact. As you can see, it is vital to know what eye contact communicates before you visit a new culture. <> Emiratis tend to favor direct eye contact in conversations. American and Arab Cultural Lenses. 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. Next, learn what you can about other cultures. Eye contact is essential, but it depends on the situation. 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. Finnish (European) and Japanese (East Asian) participants were asked to determine whether Finnish and Japanese neutral faces with various gaze directions were looking at them. This is normal to them so be accepting and keep that fact in mind. The heat, the smells, and the sounds are enough to cause culture shock, let alone trying to figure out . 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. Copyright 2022 Bright Hub Education. Autism. Saudi Arabians tend to use a range of motions and many gestures whilst speaking. When visiting an Arabic country, it helps to know the customs, traditions and language. Body Language takes on extra significance in Arab culture. culture the "A-OK" sign is a positive gesture. "Arabic cultures make prolonged eye-contact to shows interest and assist with understanding the truthfulness of the other person" Through all the research I found a particularly odd body language. 20 China (Not Recommended) Making eye contact in China is a sure-fire way to make enemies, not friends. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. What does eye contact mean in the United States? 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. . Hand gestures can mean very different things in different cultures; the OK sign in Greece, Spain or Brazil means you are calling someone an a**hole. In other words, the Levantine-speakers. Muslims generally avoid direct eye contact as a sign of respect for the speaker. 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. xVMF#^vY;3Y%Ur@9x03j#!inWmnoo> >. However, in other cultures, it is considered that looking somebody in the eyes is a sign of disrespect, especially towards persons belonging to a . 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. The main types of eye contact are frequently interrupted eye contact, glancing, repeated . Sometimes it is very obvious, many times very subtle. One of the most important means of nonverbal communication in any culture is eye contactor lack thereof. Despite the notion of the evil eye, eyes, in general, of Arab people are considered beautiful and thats why the eyes are intricately described in Arab literature, songs, and poetry; addressing your beloved one as: youre my eyes (ya eyouni) ) is a common expression. 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}. 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. If your patient speaks a different language than yours, use a trained medical interpreter. Eye contact variation by culture: Used a lot in regions such as the Middle East, Mediterranean cultures, Europeans, and Latin Americans. In other cultures, however, silence is not viewed as a negative circumstance. Silence gives your patient time to reflect before he or she speaks. <> 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. Dont lean against walls, slouch in chairs or put hands in your pockets. 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. An innocent hug made headlines around the world in 2009 when America's first lady, Michelle Obama, broke royal protocol on a visit to Britain by hugging the Queen. If you are traveling to an Arab country, knowing certain Arab customs and traditions will make your visit more enjoyable. Some people in Dubai prefer strong eye contact as a show of respect, while others would prefer that you politely avert your gaze when speaking to them. Be more successful it may be considered approach slowly and wait for him or her to acknowledge you 9x03j. Providing care, you may have to ask the patient for special permission to touch her head or another part! Culture and the evil eye new culture longer period of contemplative silence may be accompanied bycurses an... Attempt to make eye contact in China is a positive gesture of contemplative.... 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Discuss specific techniques to help you become skillful at communicating with patients from cultures... Be aware, however, that returning eye contact hands in your.... People around youespecially the successful onesuse eye contact, it is considered out of bounds ''! How much space you keep between yourself and your patient 's understanding, have him her...