Differences in mentality

Differences in mentality between Arabs and Germans

The Arabs are proud and sensitive people. Their culture derives mainly from three key factors: family, language and, above all, their religion. Any guest who wishes to understand Arabs must grasp these three key elements and the pervasive effect they have on the entire culture before traveling to an Arab country. Only when this has been done can the Arab’s ways of doing things and their actions be correctly interpreted. Nevertheless, the Arab mentality is not always easy to understand for Central Europeans, for example. But life is based on it. In order to understand the Arabs, one must first of all understand that the most important factors influencing Arab culture, i.e. as mentioned family, language and religion, condition a certain group dynamic. Language exerts a tremendous influence on the personal interaction and emotional tenor of Arabs. Those who understand and at best speak it enjoy advantages. Those who profess Islam do likewise. The five pillars of Islam are, after all, the foundation of Muslim life. They are important in everyday life, but of course not before, for example, renting a car. Jokingly put: no one has to convert to Islam and make a pilgrimage to Mecca because of them.

Whoever travels to the Middle East should have studied the Arab cultural system in advance. The behavioral patterns are ubiquitous in daily life. For example, those who book a hire car must take into account in advance that the entire process, including the process of renting, might probably not go quite as smoothly as it would in Germany. Even if Arabs are friendly people, it is still possible that one gets to persons that have a little own attitude, maybe problems with women or with foreigners in general. Even in the Arabic region, there is still the possibility to hire car. However, it is certainly brave to plunge into the maze of Arab traffic in whichever Middle Eastern country. The traffic rules are interpreted rather than observed. And anyone who has an accident, for example, has to reckon with different behaviour than in Germany, especially as a foreigner. A cliché image would be that you are immediately surrounded by a bunch of gesticulating and nonstop talking people and don’t understand a word. That in Saudi Arabia women are not allowed to drive a car is of course to be accepted and should be considered before travelling to this country.

The whole world likes German cars. It is the same in the Arab world. The Arabs also like the Germans’ love of order, their diligence, their reliability and that they are punctual. Similar things are not necessarily to be expected in Arabia. This may also be a cliché, but life works differently in the Middle East. The cultural differences bear the danger that many an Arab will be less friendly to a German than to a fellow countryman. But it is also possible that you will be met with a lot of warmth and hospitality. It is impossible to draw a general picture. And even if, for example, a repair is not carried out as quickly as hoped, at least the enzin is comparatively cheap in Arab countries.