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direct questions about female relatives.  Stay away from
political and religious subjects.  Arabs will rarely, if ever,
discuss their religion with non-Moslems.  Avoid raising the
subject for detailed discussion.  Do not attempt to convert the
Arab to your faith.   A good basic rule on conversational subjects
is to take the lead from what the Arab brings up.  If he avoids
you or changes the subject on you when you try to talk about
something in particular, take the hint.  Back off and try to
figure out why the Arab was sensitive to the subject.

     Avoid partronizing Arabs.   Talk on an adult-to-adult level
and do not talk down to someone if he doesn't speak English well.
Be as clear and concise as possible in your speech.   Slow your
rate of speech, enunciate more precisely and avoid using slang
expressions.

     Be alert for nuances in the conversation.  Arabs are
hesitant to say 11no" directly and are very reluctant to use the
phrase "I don't understand."   Often they will attempt to convey
an idea through what would seem to an American as "double talk."
It is common for an Arab to speak with a double meaning.   Look
out for it.'

     Avoid argumentative situations.   Once an Arab has made a
decision or had it made for him by a superior,  it is unlikely
that he will immediately change his mind.   It is better to drop
the argument for a while and approach the problem from a
different direction later.

     During conversations, the Arab custom is to stand very close
(about one foot)  to the person he is talking to.  Although this
may seem uncomfortable, don't move away from him to a normal
"American speaking distance;" it would be considered impolite and
would imperil any personal relationship you may be seeking.   If
you continue to feel awkward, drop one of your feet back and talk
slightly over your shoulder.   Arabs thoroughly assess a person
prior to entering into a business or personal relationship.   The
close stance is a means, passed on through the centuries, to
evaluate eye movement, smell and thermal qualities of the other
person.   Touching and patting are important parts of this
evaluation process.

     The Arabs believe that the eyes listen to the speaker's
words more than the ears during conversation.   "The eyes are the
ladle of the words."   Do not move your eyes around during direct
conversation with an Arab; otherwise, he will be insulted because
it will appear that you do not respect his words.

Criticism

Unlike Americans, Arabs do not accept or give criticism directly.
Even constructive criticism of an Arab's work or ideas in public
is considered an insult.   It is especially rude to contradict a


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