In reading a biography of T. E. Lawrence I found a footnote reference to his Twenty-Seven Articles. I thought I’d already read everything by Lawrence of Arabia, but I’d missed this. When I found it in the dusty stacks of my favorite university library, I understood why—it was penned for the Arab Bulletin in August 1917. The intended audience was military personnel fighting in World War I in the Middle East.

I knew Lawrence was an archaeologist, map maker, Arabist, and one of the designers of current Middle Eastern boundaries. I had no idea he wrote about culture. Or, that what he experienced nearly a century ago would still be true today.

My three favorite suggestions from his articles are:

• Go easy for the first few weeks. A bad start is difficult to atone for, and the Arabs form their judgments on externals that we ignore.
• Learn all you can about the people you’re doing business with. Get to know their families, clans and tribes, friends and enemies.
• Cling to your sense of humor—you’ll need it every day.

Arab culture continues to focus on relationships. Despite the advent of the internet and the ability to be in touch with global events 24/7, behavior that doesn’t show proper respect can hamper or even prevent success. The measure of a person is often formed from non-verbal cues: facial expression, clothing, posture, gestures, etc.

Business is much more personal in the Middle East than in many countries. The goal is to work with family, friends, friends of friends and other Muslims before foreigners. Because non-Arabs are lower on the totem pole within Arab societies, it is imperative they pay special attention to local cultures and learn to adapt when necessary.

Conversation is a great way to get to know an Arab, but this must be done carefully. It is important not to inadvertently cause offense. For example, it is fine to ask about an Arab’s family as a whole, but not about someone’s wife or daughters.

I’m adding Lawrence’s Twenty-Seven Articles to my suggested reading list for people moving to or visiting the Middle East. Click here to read online.

Carrie
RW3 CultureWizard

I recommend reading The Arab Ear and the American Eye: A Study of the Role of the Senses in Culture, by Sharif Kanaana and translated into English by Ibrahim Muhawi, along with several thoughtful responses. The researchers explore the relevance of seeing versus hearing in American and Arab cultures. The abstract describes how Kanaana

seeks to establish the hypothesis that in Arab culture the ear is more significant than the eye as a guide to belief. While [Dundes'] “Seeing is Believing” is about American culture, in using its categories as a basis for the study of the Arab ear, this article brings to the fore its implicit comparative perspective. The theoretical point at issue is the determining power of culturally established cognitive patterns.

Furthermore,

The analysis elaborates upon the metaphorical significance of the eye in Arab culture, showing that the Arab fear of the eye may be justified in view of the manipulative power that resides in images. Translated in terms of culture, it may be that the reliance on the eye breeds a need for visual stimulation and constant change, while reliance on the ear leads to reliance on tradition and fear of change.

Jewelry people commonly wear in many countries (pictured below), which provide protection from the “evil eye,” is one of the first items that comes to mind. The belief is that the desirous eye of a person has the power to inflict harm on whatever it sees. So, many people wear amulets to deflect the gaze of the evil eye, thus confounding it and averting any harm.

For protection against the evil eye, charms are commonly worn in the Middle East, North Africa and beyond

What are your thoughts on the preference Arabs give to hearing versus seeing, and vice versa for Americans? Do you agree with the argument that relying on hearing has caused Arab countries to stagnate, while a preference for the visual has inspired innovation and growth in the US?

Sean

RW3 CultureWizard