IRAQ Cultural Awareness

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IRAQCultural Awareness
COL Nicholas E. Zoeller 13th COSCOM G5
27 JULY 2005
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AGENDA

• IRAQ ORIENTATION
• IRAQ-VUCA ENVIRONMENT
• NORTHERN IRAQ
• MIDDLE IRAQ
• SOUTHERN IRAQ

• GREETINGS AND GOODBYES
• DOS AND DONTS
• DRESS/RELIGION
• REVENGE AND HATE
• NEGOCIATIONS
• INTERPRETERS

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• IRAQ IS A VUCA ENVIRONMENT
• Volatile
• Uncertain
• Complex
• Ambiguous

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GREETINGS

• HELLO-ASSALAAM ALAIKUM
• REPLY-WA ALAIKUM ESSALAAM

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FAREWELLS

• GOODBYE-MA-ASSALAAMA

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DO AND DONTS

• SHOW RESPECT FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE
• SHAKE HAND WITH MEN TO SHOW FRIENDLINESS
• GREET/TALK TO MEN
• SHOW RESPECT AT RELIGIOUS SITES
• RESPECT RELIGIOUS LEADERS
• TREAT TRIBE LEADERS WITH DEFERENCE

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DOS AND DONTS CONT.

• EAT FOOD IF OFFERED, EVEN IF !
• SHARE FOOD WITH LOCALS, IT GIVES YOU SECURITY
• DONT TOUCH HOLY BOOKS
• DONT APPEAR TOPLESS IN PUBLIC
• DONT ENTER A MOSQUE WEARING SHOES
• DONT STEP ON A GRAVE IN A CEMETERY

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DOS AND DONTS

• DONT LEAVE THE GUEST ROOM WHEN VISITING A HOUSE
• DONT INSULT A MAN IN FRONT OF HIS WIFE AND
  FAMILIY
• DONT MISUNDERSTAND SAME SEX KISSING
• DONT OFFER OR RECEIVE FOOD/DRINKS WITH THE LEFT
  HAND

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DRESS AND RELIGION

• SHIA/SUNNI
• WOMEN IN IRAQ SOCIETY

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RELIGIOUS GROUPS

• Muslims
• Shiis 60-65
• Sunnis 30-35 Other
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• Christians
• Jews
• Yezidis

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WOMEN IN IRAQ SOCIETY

• CERTAINLY NOT LIKE AMERICAN SOCIETY

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JILBAB
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Westernize
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MODERN CONSERVATIVE
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NIQAB
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GESTURES

• GESTURES CAN SOMETIMES BE INSULTING

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AMERICA AND IRAQ I DONT KNOW.
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AMERICA I got your nose game played with
children
IRAQ F
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IRAQ F You!
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RUDE
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IRAQ COME HERE. (polite) HOW TO Right hand,
palm down, move fingers back and forth
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IRAQ IF YOU MAKE A REQUEST FROM SOMEONE, HE
MAY RESPOND BY TOUCHING HIS RIGHT HAND TO HIS
HEAD. THIS INDICATES ALA RAASI. OR BY MY
HEAD I WILL DO WHAT YOU ARE REQUESTING
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IRAQ GREETING A WOMAN BECAUSE OF MODESTY
SHE MAY NOT SHAKE YOUR HAND, BUT PUT HER HAND
OVER HER HEART INSTEAD. YOU THEN PUT YOUR HAND
OVER YOUR HEART TOO.
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NORMAL PEOPLE (NOT GAYS)
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BEGGING PLEASE
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WAIT
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AMERICA STOP NOT UNDERSTOOD
IRAQ STOP
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IRAQ F You!
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AMERICA Childish for I dont like you.
IRAQ Childish for I dont like you.
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AMERICA OK Good Job
IRAQ Ill get you later (meaning is menacing)
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AMERICA normal gesture used in everyday
conversation
IRAQ perceived as rude and threatening
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Food Customs

• - Accept any invitation.
• - Pray before eating
• - Eat w/right hand
• - Eat as a group (family meal)
• - Eat w/out criticizing the food
• - Eat from your side of the common dish
• - Leave serious discussions for after meal
• - Food Important for celebrations
• - Tea and Coffee important when receiving guests
• - Praise the host when you finish
• - Thank the host and wife (but not directly)
• - Reciprocate the invitation

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TRIBAL SOCIETY

• REVENGE AND HATE

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Tribal Origins

• The tribal system developed due to the Arabic
  desert lifestyle, resulting in the sharing of
  food and water.
• Arabs had to look after each other to survive
  thus developing a strong brotherhood.
• Arabs to this day have a feeling of safety in
  numbers
• Arabs have developed intricate customs of
  hospitality to fellow tribesmen.

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The Tribal Definition

• A social group
• Strong blood ties linking certain families
• The honor of the tribe is important
• Status within the tribe is important
• Size of the tribes vary, often measured in
  thousands.

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The Tribal Definition

• The reputation of the tribe is paramount to all
  activities
• Needs of the Tribe come first
• Any activity which shames the tribe can affect
  the tribe for generations.

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Duty

• Each tribal member is bound to preserve the
  reputation of the tribe, to support each other
  and honor their respective tribal customs

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NEGOCIATIONS

• WORKING WITH INTERPRETERS

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Do your homework

• Has it been dealt with before ?
• What is the background/ history ?
• Read previous reports on the task.
• Who are the persons involved, name, personality,
  authority, religion, attitudes ?
• What are your options, limitations?
• When and where will the negotiation take place
  (get confirmation)?
• Establish an agenda for the meeting .

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Approaching the site

• Show minimum force necessary.
• Dont point guns at them.
• Remove your sunglasses..smile

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Opening Talks

• Exchange small talk.
• Remember local habits .respect them.
• Take your time and be patient.
• Use some Arabic friendly words.

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Main Talks

• Let your counterpart start.
• Listen to him, do not interrupt.
• Take notes, capture issues.
• Focus on the issues not on the person.
• Start to agree on the agenda.
• Negotiate details.
• Complete negotiation by repeating what has been
  agreed upon.
• Arrange for the next meeting / visit.
• Dont forget final polite phrases.

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Dos and Donts during negotiation

• Dont tell jokes they do not translate well.
• Dont have side-bar conversations.
• Dont discuss politics or religion.
• Dont promise anything beyond your ability to
  control.
• Dont look at your translator look at your
  counterpart.
• Do maintain dignity and politeness.
• Do give time (i.e. be patient negotiations
  take time)
• Do finish on time.

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Planning Considerations

• Security
• Cultural awareness
• Impartiality
• Affiliation

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• How to work with interpreter
• In critical situation make sure that the
  interpreter understands you.
• Dont ask interpreter opinion except for
  cultural issues.
• Dress code considerations.
• Watch interpreter for self questioning.

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How to keep interpreter more honest

• Watch interpreter for self questioning.
• Using yes, no questions.
• Watching voice inflection (to determine wither if
  something going on.).
• Putting limits, interpreter isnt to argue with
  people, he must say only thing that I says.
• Using two interpreters, especially during
  sensitive meetings (to check in balance, also
  they can help each others).
• Using some Arabic language they will appreciate
  that you are speaking their own language also it
  could be ice breaker.
• Speak 2-3 sentences and stop.
• Some English words don't translate to Arabic, use
  simple words.

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HONOR AND SHAME
gt Family Symbol.
gt Symbol of Honor.
gt Face Saving.
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REVENGE
Revenge is a result of ignoring culture
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QUESTIONS?

• HOW DO WE GET THERE?
• WHEN ITS 1145 A.M. IN THE US WHAT TIME IS IT IN
  BAGDAD?
• ANSWER 0845 P.M.