Embrace the culture and acknowledge each other
Apparently seven out of 10 expats have little or no knowledge about the heritage, culture and tradition of the UAE.
I feel we that we are a bit too reserved and have an anxiety of interacting with Emiratis or other nationalities.
That fear leads to culture clashes.
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letter
We have lots of people from various walks of life so we are in a confused state of whom to talk to. Dubai is one of the best cities in the world where you can learn and embrace different cultures. All it requires is the time, patience and the initiative to learn.
Teachers should motivate their students to read, write and speak Arabic not for the sake of puking it out on the exam sheet and then forgetting it, but it would help them in their career at both personal and professional level.
Try talking to them instead of having that sort of a complex in you. You have the internet that would help you learn and enhance your knowledge on various cultures. Once you start learning and exploring the culture, you will have the interest to talk to them slowly and gradually you will have the eagerness to learn more and more.
A pleasant greeting early morning in Arabic - ‘Salam allaikum’ or ‘Marhaba’ would really make a good start to your day instead of the usual slang we use in our daily lives - ‘Hi, Wassup!!!!!’
We have lots to learn out here and I thank the authorities for the freedom given to us to stay here.
Mathew Litty
Dubai
Comments
by Abu Yousef
Thursday, May 10 2012, 6:01PM
“believe me the second context is more often but less expressed, I'm an expat and I know it just like you do.”
by Gavtek
Thursday, May 10 2012, 3:41PM
“If you don't like the context that it's used in then you're perfectly welcome to go home!”
by FatBhoyTim
Thursday, May 10 2012, 3:03PM
“True, but more often than it seems to be expressed in the context of someone talking about stupidity/inefficiency. In all honestly I can't actually think of a single time it's been used outside of that context.”
by Abu Yousef
Tuesday, May 08 2012, 9:56PM
“FatBhoyTim: absolutely, especially when it comes as an answer to a complain about wrong practices. However, it can be a valid answer when it comes to the country's cultural sovereignty being belittled just because it's different and mostly misunderstood.”
by FatBhoyTim
Tuesday, May 08 2012, 2:14PM
“Abu Yousef: so is the "if you don't like it, leave" attitude.”
by Abu Yousef
Monday, May 07 2012, 1:07PM
“So the idea is to know and understand more about the UAE. You know, culture is not only objects (dates, abaya, kandoura, Arabic coffee, majlis, and maybe Land Cruiser... etc. understood or easy to understand) it's also practice (behaviour, attitude, way of thinking ...etc. not always understood) I really find it strange that some people live here for 20 years and they go back to their countries with the same information they came with whether wrong or right. The "I don't care" attitude is the main cause for the gap we have.”
by AAAli1
Saturday, May 05 2012, 9:03AM
“So what brought this subject Mathew - applying for citizenship are we. I am an Arab and a Muslim from the Gulf and even I dont know the UAE Culture - so what is the big deal. Sheesh - I think some people dont have jobs or life to sit and think of these petty subjects.”
by Fatima_Suhail
Thursday, May 03 2012, 7:02PM
“Dear Mathew,
I beg to differ with your opinion when you say that seven out of ten expats have little or no knowledge about the culture and traditions of the UAE. This is absolutely not true. I have been born and raised in Dubai and even though I am an expatriate I consider the UAE as my home country. I am not syaing that your claim is wrong, there may be some who might not have extensive knowledge and the know-hows of the UAE culture, but with time and experience, we all have learnt and adapted to the culture of cthe ountry we live in.
Being able to speak and communicate in Arabic does not determine whether a person knows about the culture of the country or not. Some people are pretty well aware of the culture, rules and norms of the country and still continue to violate them. therefore, possessing knowledge of the tradition and culture of a country is one thing, and following and adapting to it is another.
However, I agree that the way Arabic is taught in schools is not right. We never can learn to speak Arabic like this.It should be taught in a proper manner just like English and several regional languages are taught in schools.”
by ExpatEddie
Thursday, May 03 2012, 3:45PM
“Goodness me ... words fail me. If only they had failed you too ...”
by NewCrunch
Thursday, May 03 2012, 3:44PM
“Good one Gavtek!!! I do suggest you start taking donations. Just let me know where I need to transfer the money!!”