Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search

Women

     Respect the privacy of Arab women wearing the veil.   Avoid
staring and lengthy eye contact.   Do not try to engage an Arab
woman in conversation unless you have been formally introduced.
Do not attempt to photograph Arab women unless you have
permission.   You should include male family members in any
picture of Arab women.

Workin~ with Arabs

     To Arabs, the person they are dealing with is more important
in essence than the mission or task.   Impress the Arab through
knowledge, quiet strength and politeness.   Be patient and never
begin instruction or undertake a task without adequately greeting
the students or seeing to their comfort.   Never lose you temper
because such an outburst will have an opposite effect.

     Anticipate little action being taken on an Arab's decision,
particularly in administrative planning matters, until close to
the required deadline and then only if circumstances are
favorable.   Coordinate the use of training sites and material
continually.

     Plan for extra training time.   Training in a foreign
language or through the use of an interpreter requires additional
time.  The Arab's lack of technical skills (not aptitude)  and his
right-to- left visual pattern also slow Western-style
instruction.   Furthermore, most Arabs learn through rote
memorization which necessitates repetitious instruction and
constant drilling.   Speak slowly, pause frequently and repeat
teaching points by rephrasing your instruction often.

     Anticipate religious activities.    Insure adequate time is
available in the training schedule to permit Moslems to conduct
their daily prayers.   Do not schedule intensive training
activities during the fasting month of Ramadan or over other
holidays.

     Use practical exercises and discussion periods to determine
the Arab student's comprehension.   An Arab will never say, "I
don't understand;" such a statement can imply incompetence on his
part as a student or reflect badly on the instructor's capability
to teach.   Appearances and status are often more important than
the instruction to the Arab.

     Start with the non-technical aspects of any instruction.
Show and demonstrate equipment before lecturing on its technical
operation.   Use films and slides to increase comprehension.  Add
Arabic descriptions to the english text.

     If you have the option, train officers and enlisted men
separately.   An enlisted man scoring ahead of an officer in class
standing embarrasses the officer.


                                 23

Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search