debbie - The Arab Culturalist

What is Hajj & Eid Al Adha?

July 19, 2021July 19, 2021debbieNo Comments

During the 12th Islamic lunar calendar month Dhul Hijah, millions of pilgrims from all over the world usually make their way to the city of Mecca to visit the Kabbah, the first house and holiest place of worship to perform Hajj. Hajj is one of the 5 acts of worship prescribed in the religion of Islam. But we are in the midst of a pandemic. Notably, the traditions of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him)sa have guided the decision in Saudi Arabic this year to confine pilgrims to those who are residing in the land. By his sayings, Muslims find answers on how to act under many circumstances, as… Read More

The Dangers of Othering: Combating Intolerance and Building an Inclusive Society

November 13, 2020March 31, 2024debbieNo Comments

This acceptance of “othering” has become a subconscious and conscious attempt by some to distinguish themselves from another group

Covid-19 and Cultural Values

June 10, 2020March 23, 2021debbieNo Comments

Do Cultural Values Effect How We Battle Covid-19? Early on, researchers have been studying the response efforts of countries all over the world to the Covid-19 pandemic. What seems to be emerging are the differences among nations and their societies’ attitude towards the response. Why does attitude matter? Because the nature of this pandemic requires us to be mindful of others safety as well as our own. Countries whose first response was fear of the outgroup, (the group that was first infected by Covid-19) have, in large part influenced their leadership decisions and community response. For example, the United States’ first reaction to the virus was to blame China, stop… Read More

Cultural Intelligence and Social Pressure – The Honor-Shame Society

February 13, 2020March 13, 2021debbieNo Comments

Cultural Intelligence is the capability to work effectively in diverse cultural situations. Sounds like a must-have skill, right? Ok, let’s say you agree and decided that you need this skill in your workplace environment, as an international student or teacher, in your diverse community or for travel to an unfamiliar country and culture. How does one acquire these skills? The first step is to examine what motivates and drives behavior. For any individual or society, this would be determined by many factors including some general considerations like your place of birth, your family’s discipline style, your education, religious affiliation and your social encounters. Have you ever wondered why you chose… Read More

Mobility and CQ Cultural Intelligence

January 13, 2020March 22, 2021debbieNo Comments

Matching the right employee to the right assignment is just one of the elements of a successful optimization of your global mobility scheme.

Expatriates and living in Dubai

October 13, 2019March 13, 2021debbieNo Comments

The UAE’s population comprises of over 85% expatriates. Dubai is home to over 180 different nationalities. As expected, this has made the globally recognised UAE, as the colossal collage of different cultures. While some expatriates (I like to call them guests) are happy to immerse themselves in UAE culture, others tend to network largely with fellow countrymen and other Westerners. As an Inter-cultural and motivational speaker, I have had the good fortune of meeting thousands of expatriates. My extensive work as an authentic source for UAE and Middle Eastern culture puts me in direct contact with expatriates who are new to the UAE, as well as those who have been… Read More

Ramadan 2019 – Get Ready to Slow Down

May 13, 2019March 13, 2021debbieNo Comments

Get Ready for the Slow down, It’s Ramadan? There’s been a plethora of emails in my inbox asking if our company will be “business as usual” in Ramadan. While most of our staff will be fasting, Ramadan is usually a productive month, with staff continuing to work on projects, develop content and deliver first class cultural awareness and team building workshops. And if any month is about team building, its Ramadan. If your living and working in the GCC, you already know that businesses adjust during the next 29 or 30 days. But, some businesses are actually busier during this month (including the Arab Culturalist). What these companies have done… Read More

Culturally Responsive Classroom Management

March 13, 2019March 13, 2021debbieNo Comments

At a recent regional educational conference I overheard a conversation between seasoned teachers about teaching in the Middle East. “I don’t know why I struggle so much with classroom management! I feel exhausted at the end of the day, rather than a sense that my students have learned something. I’m not a recess monitor, I’m a teacher!” Acknowledging the problem is the first step in building a strategy that works towards creating caring, controlled, self-regulation classrooms that promote inclusion and successful learning outcomes. However, UNDERSTANDING the root of the problem is vital. The conversation continued, “I have always thought of myself as a successful teacher, able to meet the needs… Read More

Cultural Openness is Formed by the Age of 9

December 13, 2018March 13, 2021debbieNo Comments

Diversity is a reality, especially in Dubai. But how do we promote cultural openness and understanding that lasts into adulthood? Children from a very young age develop preferences for just about everything from food to clothing color to attitudes towards individuality. We have born or innate tendencies towards our likes and dislikes, and we form a comfort zone based on our early experiences and how they are reinforced through to adulthood. For instance, when I asked students to where a pink shirt on Cancer Awareness Day some of the boys refused. “He said pink is for girls”. When they came to school the next day and some many of their… Read More

Culturally Responsive Classroom Management

October 18, 2018May 18, 2021debbieNo Comments