Understanding the Arab Culture: A Practical Cross-cultural Guide to Working in the Arab World (Working With Other Cultures)

Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 10 About the author......Page 14 Acknowledgements......Page 16 Introduction......Page 18 1 A CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE......Page 22 The place of generalizations......Page 23 The dangers of stereotying......Page 28 Emerging with common sense......Page 30 The role of the cross-cultural theory......Page 32 Exaggerating the role......Page 34 Recognizing the complexity of culture......Page 36 Going beyond visibles......Page 38 Holding your judgement......Page 39 Appreciating Gandhi’s dilemma......Page 41 Accepting culture shock......Page 42 Knowing yourself......Page 44 Seeing yourself as others see you......Page 45 Working with stereotypes......Page 47 Mentoring and solving problems......Page 48 Packing your sense of wonder and humour......Page 50 Writing about culture......Page 52 The four cultural determinants......Page 53 Relationships in collective cultures......Page 55 Business practices in collective cultures......Page 56 Hierarchy in power distant cultures......Page 60 Business practices in high power distant organizations......Page 62 Communicating with high context cultures......Page 65 Communicating across cultures......Page 67 Business tips for high context cultures......Page 71 Managing time in polychronic cultures......Page 72 Business Tips for Working with Polychronic Cultures......Page 74 Increased complexity......Page 77 Building a communications strategy......Page 78 Managing meetings effectively......Page 82 Doing business and negotiating......Page 88 The Arab world......Page 91 The Arab League......Page 92 Sources of unity......Page 94 Terms of Reference......Page 97 The Arab peoples......Page 99 The levels of diversity......Page 101 The Arabic language......Page 103 Learning the language......Page 104 Learning tips......Page 106 Translating into Arabic......Page 107 Some useful phrases......Page 109 Arabic numbers......Page 111 Cultural quiz......Page 113 Before you travel......Page 114 Getting there......Page 116 What’s in a name?......Page 117 The rules of formality......Page 119 Understanding family names......Page 120 Interpreting body language......Page 122 Reading the tactile culture......Page 124 Appreciating gender differences......Page 125 Increasing women’s roles......Page 127 Aspects of dress code......Page 128 The position of hospitality......Page 131 Sampling Arabic coffee......Page 135 Hospitality tips......Page 137 The role of the family......Page 139 Making conversation......Page 141 Conversation tips......Page 142 Socializing with Arabs......Page 145 Attending weddings and festivals......Page 146 Visiting the Majlis......Page 149 Going on desert outings......Page 151 Sampling Arabic food......Page 153 Shopping and bargaining......Page 156 Getting out and about......Page 157 Living conditions......Page 159 Islam in the world......Page 161 Islam today......Page 162 The meaning of Islam......Page 165 The oneness of God......Page 167 Mohammed (PBUH): Seal of the Prophets......Page 168 Family code......Page 170 A way of life......Page 171 The meaning of Shari’a......Page 172 Praying – Salah......Page 173 Fasting during Ramadan......Page 174 Pilgrimage to Mekkah – Hajj......Page 176 Useful tips......Page 177 The business environment......Page 180 Business is personal......Page 183 The spoken word......Page 184 The meeting......Page 185 Circular meetings......Page 187 Pleasantries and small talk......Page 188 Organized chaos......Page 189 Flow and tempo......Page 191 Breaking bad news......Page 192 Punctuality......Page 194 Inshaalah......Page 197 Confrontation avoidance......Page 198 Decision-making......Page 199 Waasta and favours......Page 200 Exercise – making a presentation......Page 202 Epilogue......Page 204 Recommended reading......Page 223 H......Page 224 W......Page 225 Understanding the Arab Culture is a thoroughly practical crosscultural guide to working with Arab cultures, written with theWesterner in mind.The book focuses more on the key differences than similarities, issues that Westerners will find puzzling, unusual or difficult to cope with. It is based on years of experience of lecturing to Westerners and a long list of frequently asked questions. It addresses Western perceptions and misconceptions of Arabs, Islam and the Arab world as well as some key Arab perceptions of the West. Many practical tips are given on a variety of issues, from exchanging appropriate gifts to negotiating techniques. "'An essential guide to understanding what makes Arabs tick and how to develop successful business relationships in this challenging culture.' Jeff Toms, Farnham Castle International Briefing & Conference Centre 'This book aims to give guidelines and practical tips, to inform and also raise necessary questions, to build bridges and demolish barriers, and finally, to clarify a few misconceptions about the Arabs, their culture and their attitudes.' Dr Al-Omari" AUTHOR Dr Jehad Al-Omari, a highly experienced Cross-cultural Management Consultant, has been training Western executives in Arab affairs and cross-cultural issues since 1986. A regular lecturer and speaker with international institutions such as Farnham Castle, Cranfield School of Management and the Netherlands Institute of MBA studies, he also holds consultancy posts with numerous multinational firms operating in the Arab World. Dr Al-Omari runs training programmes in Europe and the Arab World and is engaged in a number of expatriation and repatriation studies in the Middle East. Preface About the author Acknowledgements Introduction 1. A cross-cultural Perspective 2. Ten cross-cultural realities 3. The Arab culture in a generic context 4. The business pyramid 5. An Arab perspective 6. First encounters with Arabs 7. Values and attitudes 8. Experiencing Arabia 9. Islam - away of life 10. Doing business Epilogue Recommended reading Index.