Intercultural Communication in the Arabian Gulf Region Essay

The advent of globalization has made it necessary for countries and organizations to harness the concept of intercultural communication. The concept of intercultural communication is particularly important to the countries in the Arabian Gulf where the rate of cultural diversity is at an all time high. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), executives have to deal with the issues of expatriates and immigrant workers from various cultures. Most of the workers in the UAE are foreign and this labor diversity is supported by both globalization and the country’s economic needs. In the UAE, “the total population is approximately ten million residents where expatriates account for about 90% of this populace, including residents from South Asia, China, Philippines, Thailand, Iran, North Africa, and Western countries” (Jones, 2007). Consequently, intercultural communication in the UAE refers to methods of sustaining the co-existence of individuals from ‘different racial and cultural backgrounds’ without encountering cultural conflicts within the country. This paper discusses ways of improving successful intercultural communication without having problems arise in the UAE culture.

One of the most influential cultural factors in the UAE is religion. Islam has been the dominant religion in the UAE since it was founded approximately 1,400 years ago. The culture of UAE is subject to elements of Islamic religion. Muslims greet each other with a greeting of peace as opposed to the usual ‘good morning/afternoon’ greetings that dominate the western cultures. The greetings are used between Muslim individuals but they can also be used among Muslims and non-Muslims. To reduce instances of bias between individuals of different cultures, it is advisable for foreigners to use the standard Muslim greeting ‘Salaam Alaikum’, which simply means “may peace be upon you and may God’s blessings be with you” (Ting & Oetzel, 2002). It is also advisable for individuals to avoid the topic of religious extremism because it is closely associated with negative stereotypes. However, Muslims are active preachers and they are open to discuss religion at specified times. For example, it is common for Muslims to engage in public discussions of religion with members of other religions especially Christians.

The issue of language is very important to intercultural harmony in the UAE. The most common language in the UAE is Arabic but English is also an acceptable medium of communication in formal settings. Consequently, expatriates and other foreigners are acting appropriately if they communicate with local natives in English as long as they are in formal settings such as office and hospital environments. However, it is appropriate for an individual to seek an Arabic/English interpreter in instances of language barriers. The UAE does not consider either English or Arabic to be the official languages. Therefore, in first rising metropolitans like Dubai, the use of English is as common as that of Arabic. It is important to note that Arab natives have a different accent when compared to Western and Asian speakers when they use the English language. It is considered impolite and insensitive for individuals to make fun of other accents. Listening respectfully is also another way of acknowledging language differences among communicators.

There are several methods of lessening the impact of shocks that result from intercultural communication. For example, it is advisable for expatriates and other immigrants to embrace an attitude of religious diversity. However, it is also common for non-Muslim foreigners in the UAE to be subjected to either subtle or direct forms of religion-based discrimination or stereotyping (Al-Harthi, 2005). Individuals should familiarize themselves with the basic practices and beliefs of the Muslim religion with the view of minimizing instances of religion-based conflicts. The same approach should be used to counteract language barriers where individuals are expected to learn a few Arabic words and phrases.

When an expatriate moves to the UAE, his/her cultural experience is mostly determined by his/her religion. For example, it is much easier for Muslims to fit into the UAE because they experience fewer instances of cultural conflicts. However, all individuals should be aware of the intercultural conflicts that might define their experiences in the UAE. Mastering the culture of the UAE is a step in the right direction for expatriates and other foreigners who work in this region. This section discusses the challenges that expatriates might face when they move to the UAE, and how they might overcome these hurdles.

Several simple and subtle behaviors form the core of the UAE culture and expatriates should be aware of these mannerisms (Samovar, Porter, McDaniel, & Roy, 2014). For instance, when visiting a household in the UAE, it is impolite to admire an item for too long because the host might feel obligated to give out this item as a gift. In addition, it is considered impolite to refuse a gift that has been given in good faith. Most households are also in the habit of entering the house without shoes and it is polite for an expatriate to follow his/her host’s lead. Muslims are strictly against the consumption of alcohol and pork. Expatriates should keep this in mind when they plan events that involve Muslim attendance. It is impolite to subject a Muslim adherent to these two products.

The modes of relationships between men and women are also worth noting. For instance, “when two men walk hand in hand it is often a sign of friendship” (Ayish, 2005). In addition, it is normal for men to hug and kiss on the cheeks as a form of greeting. Some of these behaviors might make a Western expatriate quite uncomfortable especially if he does not understand the reasoning behind them. Some cultures within the Emiratis also prohibit men and women from shaking hands.

Individuals, especially women are expected to dress modestly in the UAE. However, the local population considers it offensive for foreigners to wear the traditional attire. Some natives of the UAE will find it hard to conduct business with a person who is ‘immodestly’ dressed. Women are expected to cover their bodies and show as little skin as possible even in the hot conditions of the UAE. Men are expected to dress formally with long pants and buttoned shirts. A majority of the UAE culture considers it offensive for men to wear neck jewelry.

There are several communication issues that might be faced by expatriates whenever they are going about their business. For instance, some topics are likely to make the locals uncomfortable such as the subjects of women and Israel/Palestine. However, it is common for individuals in the UAE to discuss sports during their pastime. The names of people are often confusing to foreigners because they sound almost the same. For example, one person might be called ‘Ahmed’ and the other one ‘Ahmad’. Foreigners should be aware of these subtle differences in pronunciation because they make a big difference to the local population. Even communication concerning business is often slow and it can be interrupted by phone calls and visiting individuals (Ayish, 2005). Too much formality in business is considered suspicious by most individuals. During formal introductions, “a customary greeting is salaam alaykum…shaking hands and saying kaif halak follows” (Itani, Sidani, & Baalbaki, 2011).

References

Al-Harthi, A. S. (2005). Distance higher education experiences of Arab Gulf students in the United States: A cultural perspective. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 6(3), 56-57.

Ayish, M. I. (2005). Virtual public relations in the United Arab Emirates: A case study of 20 UAE organizations’ use of the Internet. Public Relations Review, 31(3), 381-388.

Itani, H., Sidani, Y. M., & Baalbaki, I. (2011). United Arab Emirates female entrepreneurs: motivations and frustrations. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 30(5), 409-424.

Jones, S. (2007). Training and cultural context in the Arab Emirates: fighting a losing battle?. Employee Relations, 30(1), 48-62.

Samovar, L., Porter, R., McDaniel, E., & Roy, C. (2014). Intercultural communication: A reader. New York: Cengage Learning.

Ting, S., & Oetzel, J. G. (2002). Cross-cultural face concerns and conflict styles. Handbook of international and intercultural communication, 2(1), 143-164.

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