The advice "don't cross your legs when meeting an Arab" was part of a list of tips issued by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) police in an advisory for non-Arab expatriates on how to deal with Emiratis and other Arab citizens.
According to the news site "Emirates 24/7" on Thursday, the tips were published in the first issue of the Ministry of Interior’s English language monthly police magazine 999, released this week.
The police explained that crossing one's legs and pointing one's feet at a companion's direction is seen as an insult.
The report, titled “Mind the culture gap” included these tips to help foreigners interact better with Arabs:
(1) Don’t cross your legs.
The police magazine said the gesture of "crossing ones legs – when the upper leg is bounced on the lower knee with the foot pointed in the general direction of a companion" is seen by Arabs as distateful, accusing, and threatening.
The gesture is also seen as a sign of impatience, "a social crime in the Gulf."
(2) Shway shway (slowly)
The report said when Arab people want their companies to speak more slowly, they make the "gesture of drawing the fingers of the right hand into a steeple, gently bringing the hand down a few inches once or twice, or perhaps just gently wagging the steepled fingers a little."
The gesture means ‘little, little."
It is meant to send the message: "Slow down a bit; be gentle; be patient," the report said.
(3) Arab's sense of humor
"The Arab sense of humor is well-developed and can provide a useful bridge to establishing a relationship," the report said.
However, expats must not belittle or make a joke of the Arab.
This action "will do untold damage to any relationship that might have been developing between you. It will possibly come across as simply rude," the report said.
(4) Judging and trusting others
The report said Arabs can quickly sense when a "friendship" is false or shallow, and "meant only to advance commercial interests."
"Become trusted over time; be genuine in your relationships. Be yourself; do not pretend with Arabs – let a confidence develop between you," the report added.
(5) Beckoning with fingers
"In many regions of the Arab world, to ask someone to approach you by beckoning with the upright forefinger is distinctly rude," the report said.
This gesture is seen as equally rude as the "raising of a digit finger from a clasped fist on an extended arm," the report explained.
"The latter gesture is known to be, and usually intended to be, rude in any society," the report noted.
Source: GMA News
According to the news site "Emirates 24/7" on Thursday, the tips were published in the first issue of the Ministry of Interior’s English language monthly police magazine 999, released this week.
The police explained that crossing one's legs and pointing one's feet at a companion's direction is seen as an insult.
The report, titled “Mind the culture gap” included these tips to help foreigners interact better with Arabs:
(1) Don’t cross your legs.
The police magazine said the gesture of "crossing ones legs – when the upper leg is bounced on the lower knee with the foot pointed in the general direction of a companion" is seen by Arabs as distateful, accusing, and threatening.
The gesture is also seen as a sign of impatience, "a social crime in the Gulf."
(2) Shway shway (slowly)
The report said when Arab people want their companies to speak more slowly, they make the "gesture of drawing the fingers of the right hand into a steeple, gently bringing the hand down a few inches once or twice, or perhaps just gently wagging the steepled fingers a little."
The gesture means ‘little, little."
It is meant to send the message: "Slow down a bit; be gentle; be patient," the report said.
(3) Arab's sense of humor
"The Arab sense of humor is well-developed and can provide a useful bridge to establishing a relationship," the report said.
However, expats must not belittle or make a joke of the Arab.
This action "will do untold damage to any relationship that might have been developing between you. It will possibly come across as simply rude," the report said.
(4) Judging and trusting others
The report said Arabs can quickly sense when a "friendship" is false or shallow, and "meant only to advance commercial interests."
"Become trusted over time; be genuine in your relationships. Be yourself; do not pretend with Arabs – let a confidence develop between you," the report added.
(5) Beckoning with fingers
"In many regions of the Arab world, to ask someone to approach you by beckoning with the upright forefinger is distinctly rude," the report said.
This gesture is seen as equally rude as the "raising of a digit finger from a clasped fist on an extended arm," the report explained.
"The latter gesture is known to be, and usually intended to be, rude in any society," the report noted.
Source: GMA News
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