COMMUNICATION METHODS: GORUP PROJECT – WEEK 6
Communication Methods: Group Project- Week 6
Mark T. Jegel
Multi-Cultural Perspectives & Global Trends
18 December 2013
Linda Burr, Instructor
Southwestern College Professional Studies
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COMMUNICATION METHODS: GORUP PROJECT – WEEK 6
Communication Methods
Communication itself does not simply refer to language, instead communication is the
activity of conveying information through the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information
through the use of speech, body language, writing messages, or behavior. All business comes
down to transactions or interactions between individuals. The success of an interaction depends
almost entirely on how well managers understand each other and context of their interaction
(Moran, R. T., Harris, P. R., & Moran, S. V., 2011, p. 42). Communication throughout the
Middle East is mostly the same with how individuals talk, and interact with each other. As a
contrast, communication within the United States can vary from location to location and, for the
most part, differs from the Middle East.
Communication in the Middle Eastern Compared to the United States
Communication within the Middle East will differ quite a bit from that of the United
States, especially when doing business. In Saudi Arabia, Saudis are extremely extrovert,
theatrical, declamatory (Richard D. Lewis, 2003, p5). Saudi Arabia is a very high context
culture. As is in any high context culture, nonverbal communication plays a significant role in
communicating with people (Fenneman, Richmond, & Robinson, 2006). Saudis can be very
loud in their voice, which indicates sincerity, whereas in the United States, the desire to debate
issues directly and openly leads Americans to be seen by some cultures as aggressive and even
rude (In this section: Business Culture in USA., n.d.). It is good to remember that in Saudi
Arabia, this type of emotion during a conversation is used to convey conviction, not
offensiveness or anger. In Saudi Arabia, touching is frequent and expected. Kissing between
men is common. This is the same whether dealing in business or personal conversations,
somewhat different than that of the United States.
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When conversing with one another, Saudis strive to maintain group harmony by avoiding
individual attention as well as singling out another member of the community (Fenneman,
Richmond, & Robinson, 2006). This practice is quite different in the United States where
completion is key to everything, especially in business. Group harmony is generally no the focus
for most people in American business where the goal is the stand out and bring attention to one’s
accomplishments.
Egypt has most of the same cultural similarities as with Saudi Arabia, people stand quite
close to one another when communicating, where as in American, or in some other cultures,
people may find this to be an invasion of their personal space. When dealing with government
officials, it is important to learn the titles of any contacts as titles are of considerable importance,
denoting hierarchy and status. Do not address government officials in a familiar way unless
specifically requested to do so. In the United States, government officials go to great lengths to
help their supporters, (voters), to call them by their name, shake their hand and embrace them in
order to create a connection with them and gain their supporters trust.
A person needs to be aware of the importance of good, strong eye contact when in the
Middle East, as this is a signal of a man’s sincerity and honor. This can be somewhat
uncomfortable for those from cultures with much weaker eye contact (many Asian countries) but
efforts must be made in this area ("In This Section: Business Culture in Egypt," n.d.). Business
people in the United States are just that, business, especially at the initial point of building a
business relationship. Whereas, business people, which is mostly men, in the Middle East create
a close rapport through proximity from the first meeting. When this close proximity is coupled
with strong same-sex eye contact and large amounts of tactility, many overseas business people
COMMUNICATION METHODS: GORUP PROJECT – WEEK 6
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can feel extremely uncomfortable. Understanding this and preparing for this can be crucial when
starting or trying to build a business in the Middle East.
Conclusion
Communication in the Middle East can be quite different from other areas in the world.
The high context, close physical proximity culture of the Middle East can prove to make many
business people, not from the Middle East, uncomfortable and in some circumstances may take
offense to their actions. This style of communication is quite normal for the Middle Eastern
culture and has been that for hundreds of years. Reacting in a negative manner toward what is
considered normal for Middle Eastern people, will more than likely offend them and in some
situations and permanently damage a person’s chances of creating a relationship. Having
knowledge of and understanding these cultural communication differences can be very beneficial
to the success of business transactions or when simply trying to build a friendship.
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References
Fenneman, E., Richmond, M., & Robinson, R. (2006, November 26). Saudi Arabia:
Communication. Saudi Arabia: Communication. Retrieved December 18, 2013, from
http://dpuadweb.depauw.edu/%241~mkfinney/teaching/Com227/culturalPortfolios/Saudi
_Arabia/Communication.htm
In this section: Business Culture in Saudi Arabia. (n.d.). Business Communication Styles in Saudi
Arabia and Successful Communication with Saudi Arabian Businesses and Colleagues.
Retrieved December 17, 2013, from http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/SaudiArabian-Business-Communication-Style.html
In this section: Business Culture in Egypt. (n.d.). Business Communication Styles in Egypt and
Successful Communication with Egyptian Businesses and Colleagues. Retrieved
December 17, 2013, from http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Egyptian-BusinessCommunication-Style.html
In this section: Business Culture in USA. (n.d.). Business Communication Styles in USA and
Successful Communication with American Businesses and Colleagues. Retrieved
December 17, 2013, from http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/American-BusinessCommunication-Style.html
Moran, R. T., Harris, P. R., & Moran, S. V. (2011). Managing cultural differences: Global
leadership strategies for cross-cultural business success. (pp. 217-218). Oxford, UK:
Butterworth-Heinemann.
Richard D. Lewis, (2003). National Cultural Profiles 2003 Saudi Arabia [Online] Available:
www.hilton-university.com/downloads/SaudiArabia.pdf