Interaction between Males and Females It is common to see men walking together holding hands, but men and women generally do not unless they are married or related. Weekends are Friday and Saturday. Concept of Time The concept of time in the Middle East differs from the West and is generally seen as fluid. Muslims pray five times a day: dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and night. Muslims may pray in public places. In the workplace, a room or space is usually designated for prayer.
Muslims observe a full month of fasting and festivities, called Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset. When visiting the Middle East during Ramadan, it is respectful to refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in public or in front of staff or business associates during sunlight hours. Food will still be available at hotels for non-Muslim guests.
During Ramadan, families and friends break their fasts together at a hearty meal called iftar. If you are visiting a Muslim country during this month, attending an iftar is a great opportunity to learn more about family life and culture in the Middle East. Newsletter Sign Up First Name. Last Name. Categories Culture.
But once the meal gets going, the host often pushes his guests to eat and eat and guests have to be very firm and determined to show its is time to stop. Guests are often served first. Sometimes a sheep is slaughtered in their honor and given a choice pieces—sometimes an eyeball or piece of brain.
Sometimes pieces have symbolic meaning. The ears are given to children to make them better listeners. Tongues are given to people to make the more eloquent. Dinners are often long events, so pace yourself, eat slowly and praise your host and cooks. The meal usually ends with tea. It is considered rude to leave from the table early. Coffee is usually a hint it is almost time to go.
When Arabs go out the person who does the inviting is expected to pick up the check. Splitting the bill is considered very tacky. However, younger people sometimes split the bill. When Arabs go out as a group they sometimes gather around a table that is too small to accommodate everyone. When this occurs, women and children sit down while men stand up.
Muslims and Jews and some Christians are forbidden from eating pork. The Jewish and Christian God spoke out twice against eating pork in the Old Testament in Genesis and again in Leviticus , denouncing the pig as an unclean animal that "pollutes if it is tasted or touched. Muslims are supposed to watch out for alcohol and gelatin made from pork fat in their food with the same vigilance of vegetarians who scan packaging labels for signs of lard.
Vanilla, wine vinegar, cider and perfume are supposed to be avoided because they all contain alcohol. Gelatine made from pork fat is found in marshmallows, cream pies, cake fillings, candies and commercial yoghurt. Some devout Muslims scrap the icing off of cupcakes and cake lest the be contaminated with lard. Eating pork is for the most part forbidden but if you are crossing the desert and no other food is available it is alright to eat it. Muslim law and tradition even describe how a person should drink tea: three slow sips, not blowing on the tea, but waiting for it to cool naturally.
Sometimes tea is spilled into a saucer to symbolize generosity of a host. The farash system depends on a server who brings coffee or tea to people in their office or shop. He often has an office and is summoned by a buzzer. When tea or coffee is finished it should be given back to the server. Of course, the sensitive, well-mannered Muslim does not eat noisily, making disgusting sounds, nor does he take large mouthfuls such as would cause him to make a revolting spectacle of himself.
When he has finished eating, he praises Allah as the Prophet saw taught us to do, thanking Allah for His blessing and seeking the reward of those who give praise and thanks. The well-mannered Muslim dose not criticise food, no matter what it is, following the teaching and example of the Prophet saw. If he liked it, he ate it, and if he did not like it, he left it. After mentioning the name of Allah, he drinks in two or three draughts.
He does not breathe into the cup, nor does he drink from the mouth of the jug or bottle if he can help it. He should not breathe into his drink, and should drink sitting down if he can. We often hear questions like: what did we ever do before the iPhone. But, what did we ever do before cutlery? This summer, Oprah Winfrey took a trip to India, where she visited an Indian family for a traditional dinner.
There are rules to follow and manners to mind. Here, a rundown of tips for three cultures that practice the custom. India First, always remember to wash your hands thoroughly.
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