From Harpers Magazine, quoting a handout that accompanies a week-long course on Iraq's customs and history given to U.S. Marines as part of their training. .... Handshakes may be loose or limp wristed. Iraqis will hold the handshake for longer than U.S. Do not pull away. Females may just touch the fingertips, but generally no contact between men and women. ....
To kiss the forehead, nose, or right hand of the person shows extreme respect. ....
General rule: Treat every Iraqi as if he were a colonel.
Touching among same sex is not considered homosexual. Good friends often hold hands as a sign of friendship. ....
The okay sign that Americans make is considered bad. It is an evil eye. ....
Women hold the honor of the family, and therefore you should not stare or try to interact with them. A simple verbal greeting will suffice.
Do not ask men how their women are doing; instead, ask how the family is.
Showing family pictures is a good way to open relations. Arab women do not show arms or legs, and a picture of your wife in shorts will say to an Arab that you do not respect women. ....
Arabs perceive problems as someone's plot to make their life more unpleasant. We may view this as paranoia. ....
Safety is a foreign concept (everything happens because of Allah).
Amount of facial hair is considered directly proportional to religious faith. ... |