How to Relate to Middle Easterners

Extend your right hand only when shaking hands.

Middle Easterners are in every part of the world, and with the growing global interaction, cultural difference is bound to raise its head. Unlike Americans, Middle Easterners are very often well travelled and speak more than one language. However, unlike Americans, Middle Easterners are less tolerant of perceived insults against them, especially if they are in their own country. Understanding the cultural niceties of greetings and interaction goes a long way with ensuring business, social and casual meetings have fewer opportunities for avoidable embarrassments.The Middle East is a very large place with many cultures and peoples, so for the purpose of clarity, the use of the term Middle Easterners refers to Arabs in general.

Instructions

1. Assume the Middle Easterner is Muslim and offer those courtesies. Not all Middle Easterners are Muslim, but since the Muslim faith is predominant, it is safer to assume they are Muslim than they are not. Respectful courtesies to Muslims will not offend Christians, but ignoring those courtesies will not go unnoticed.

2. Expect an intrusion on your personal space, and relax about it. As Americans, we respect the personal space or bubble around those we meet and know that getting too close to the face of another creates discomfort. This is the absolute opposite for Middle Easterners. They tend to step in a little closer than might be comfortable for most, and have the tendency to have a stronger degree of eye contact. Middle Easterners believe very strongly that the eyes are the window to the soul and upon meeting you, will try to form a quick opinion of you. Discomfort with the intrusion of your personal space may be easily misinterpreted. In a few seconds, a cultural difference may have caused an incorrect first impression of you.

3. Regardless of what country they are in, Middle Easterners tend to greet with the same enthusiasm they show at home. Christian or Muslim Middle Easterners commonly offer a kiss on either cheek of the new stranger when met in social conditions. There is no sexual intention or orientation inferred by this kiss, nor should any be assumed. Middle Eastern men may not acknowledge a woman present unless directed to do so. There should be no insult assumed by this; it is actually an extension of the same way they expect any woman in their presence to be acknowledged.

4. If you do offer your hand, make sure it is your right hand. If the person you are offering your hand is of the opposite sex, you might receive a polite decline to reciprocate. It is not always OK to touch a man's wife or daughter via a handshake, and some Muslim men will not volunteer to touch a female via a handshake. Do not show of feel any offense by this.

5. Expect loud animated communication. To the American ear, the average Middle Easterner seems to shout excitedly about everything. Try not to assume they are in quarrel mode.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow for up to 45 minutes for a scheduled meeting with a Middle Easterner, or several hours for their arrival to social engagements. While annoying to Americans, this is considered normal and acceptable to them.

• This article is filled with generalizations to help you in your approach to Middle Easterners. These generalizations may not be appropriate for all the people groups found in the Middle East, nor should it be taken as specific instructions when dealing with Arabs from that region. Please use respect and tolerance.

Resources

• Cultural Diversity: Eating in America Middle Eastern
• Five Myths About the Middle East