TESTING YOUR INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS INTERACTING WITH ARABIANS

Assess your cultural sensitivity
by Farid Elashmawi

You still have only seconds to choose appropriate answers and press the button "I am finished".

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True or False Questions

1.	Arabs mostly do not like bargaining.	True False
2.	Religion has an impact on almost everyone in the Arabian culture	True False
3.	Compliments and well-presented flattery are generally appreciated.	True False
4.	Expressive and sensitive people are usually not liked.	True False
5.	Most Arabs do not value eloquence.	True False
6.	Arabian businessmen separate business from personal friendship.	True False
7.	Your education credential will be enough in dealing with Arabian businessmen.	True False
8.	It is courteous to shake hands every time you meet your Arabian friend.	True False
9.	It is customary in Arabia to expect foreigners to dress as an Arabian when visiting.	True False
10.	Social status and distinctions are very important in Arabian society.	True False
11.	Expressions of open disagreement are desirable.	True False
12.	Gifts should be opened in the presence of the giver.	True False
You still have only seconds to choose appropriate answers and press the button "I am finished".

Please choose the most appropriate answer

13.	Arabians frequently value most: Freedom Happiness Competition Family unity and security
14.	You are in Saudi Arabia. Your host offers you a cup of Arabian coffee. You don't drink coffee. You should: Say "No thank you" Say "Thank you I don't drink coffee" Tell him that coffee makes you nervous Accept the cup of coffee
15.	You are visiting the house of an Egyptian businessman. You are admiring the picture on the wall. Your Egyptian host says, "Would you like to have it?" You should: Thank him and ask him to deliver it to your hotel. Thank him and accept the invitation. Say "No I have one in my house just like it." Thank him and say, "It looks very nice right here."
16.	You have received a fax from your Arabian client. He asks for prices for 10,000 computers. He is probably interested in: 10,000 computers Your ability to deliver. Your bottom price 10 computers.
17.	You are in an Arabian businessman's office making a presentation. Another guest arrives. You should: Continue your presentation Ask for another appointment Wait until your host asks you to continue. Ask the guest to excuse you and continue your presentation.
18.	You are in an Arabian businessman' s lounge waiting for his arrival. His secretary asks if you are enjoying visiting the city. You will respond. I do not have time. I have seen many places like this before. I am on a business trip. I will enjoy seeing the historical places.
19.	You are invited to visit the house of your Arabian businessman. You should: Give some money to his children. Ask about his wife. Bring a box of chocolates or some flowers. Leave soon after dinner so that the family can talk together.
You still have only seconds to choose appropriate answers and press the button "I am finished".
20.	You are managing the office of an American company in an Arab country. Local employees might see you as: Coming for a vacation and to play golf. An expert in the field and trying to help them. Aggressive and demanding. An American who is on vacation overseas.
21.	Arabians are motivated mostly by: Promise of a salary raise. Becoming a group leader or manager. Group harmony. National security.
22.	You are inviting an Arabian businessman to your American home for dinner. You should: Introduce him to your family. Ask your wife to prepare a good pork meal. Have a discussion with him about Islam and Middle East politics. Serve a good brand name wine with the dinner.
23.	You are managing a factory operation in an Arab country. You noticed that most workers spend about 10 to 20 minutes in the morning socialising and drinking tea. You will try to: Ask the cafeteria not to serve tea in the morning. Put a note on the board asking them to start work at 8.00am Join them in the social session. Ask them to stay late after working hours.
24.	You are entering the office of your Arabian host. In the room are several other staff and guests. You should: Greet them loudly. Shake hands with your host and ignore the others. Open your arms and wait for your host to give you a hug. Shake hands with everyone in the room.
25.	You are supervising a group of Arabian workers. You may have noticed that: They work in harmony. They compete against each other. They stay late after work to catch up with work. They go out after work together and play football.
26.	If a problem arises on the factory floor, an Arab worker may often: Ignore it and continue working. Call his supervisor for advice. Fix it himself. Call for a meeting with his colleague to fix the problem.
27.	You are supervising a group of Arabian workers who are fixing a problem with a machine. You noticed that before they start work some of them will talk quietly to themselves. They are likely: Wishing that you are not around. Setting up a plan to finish soon. Reciting a few words from the Koran. Waiting for you to give them instructions.
28.	In dealing with an Arabian businessman you notice he may delay his purchases in order to: See if you will send him a gift. Wait until the market price drops. Check your references. Bargain on price.
29.	In written business communications with Arabians you noticed that Arabian letters are on average longer than others because: Arabs like to write in English. They want to make sure you understand their request. They usually start and end with flattering words and compliments. They have plenty of time.
You still have only seconds to choose appropriate answers and press the button "I am finished".
30.	You are planning your first business trip to Arabia to introduce your products. You should plan your booking for: Two months. Two days. Five days. Two weeks.
31.	You are making a technical presentation to Arabian clients. You could expect: No one will understand what you are talking about. No one will ask questions because you are their guest. Some generic questions about the subject. Detailed technical questions about application.
32.	You are visiting the office of a high Arabian official. You should. Ask your wife to be with you. Ask your local representative to be with you. Hand him personally a gift from your country. Arrive one hour before the meeting.
33.	You are invited to visit the house of an Arabian businessman. You should: Dress casually to show your American informality. Wear that Arabian shirt you bought from the market last night. Dress formally in a suit and tie. Dress formally but as soon as you arrive take off your jacket and tie.
34.	You are having dinner with your Arabian host. You notice that they do not use a fork or spoon. You should: Do the same and use your hands. Say, I am not feeling comfortable eating. Ask for a fork and spoon Ask permission to use your hands as well.
35.	Your Arabian businessman is calling you from Arabia and informing you of his visit to your office next week. You will offer him: To be picked up from the airport by limousine. To meet him personally at the airport To be met by your secretary. To meet him the day after his arrival in your office.
36.	You are working for an Arabian company in Arabia. You noticed that your Arabian co-worker receives many guests for social purposes. You should: Tell him this is a workplace and guests are not permitted. Leave the room when his guests arrive. Greet his guests and welcome them to the office. Report him to his manager and file a complaint.
37.	You are a supervisor on the factory floor in an Arab country. you notice that every time you pass by, most workers will look at you. You should: Publish an order for everyone to keep looking at his work. Look back at workers and greet them in Arabian words. Ignore their look. Put on an Arabian dress when working so that no one will recognise you.
38.	You are invited to a wedding of an Arabian worker. You should: Turn down the invitation because is a worker and you are the expert. Tell him you are coming but send flowers instead. Accept the invitation and go for a while. Go to the wedding and join them in the Arabic dance.
39.	This is you first week in an Arabian factory. You become acquainted with a few Arabian managers. You should: Prepare an American barbecue in your house and invite them in. Wait until your host's manager invites you to his house Ask you co-manager if you can visit his house and meet his family. Invite them for a potluck at your home.
You still have only seconds to choose appropriate answers and press the button "I am finished".

Farid Elashmawi can be contacted at farid@globalsuccess.org
and the website can be visited at www.globalsuccess.org