International Focus Magazine Premiere Edition | Page 23
A
s the price of oil goes, so go the
fortunes of land connected to
black gold. The state of Texas
and the region of the Middle East have both been
affected by the rise and fall of oil prices; yet, shifting
perceptions affect both Texans and those who live
and work in the Middle East. Over the past several
years, while the rest of the US faced a recession, the
price of oil kept Texas afloat for several years, bringing hordes of migrants from across the US, into the
state. Similarly expats from Asia, Africa, Europe and
the vast nations across the former USSR, fill each
nation in the Middle East. Both places have jobs
which attract workers from other places. Oil plays
a big part as a prominent industry, but the Gulf nations have strategically diversified with healthcare
and education as key components.
Stereotypes of Texans include thick accents and toting guns while images of the Middle East are far
more complex. In a post-9/11 world, we attribute
the worst traits, real or imagined, to those we do
not understand. The region found prosperity in oil,
despite decades long images of unrest. While the
Middle East is home to Christianity, Islam, Judaism,
Druze, Baha’i, Yazidism, Zoroastrianism and more,
the collective area is looked at with the suspicion
of being – Muslim. As in no other time in the past
100 years, anyone who fits the stereotype of being Muslim, wears a turban or abaya, speaks what
sounds to be Arabic or calls any of the Middle Eastern countries home is now regarded with suspicion.
Even the Iran hostage situation had not created this
level of trepidation. Fear has replaced curiosity.
Centuries old cultures are now lumped into being
perceived as “them”, making it easy to treat people
with the brunt of misinformation and prejudice.
So in business, how do we proceed? Most importantly, an investment of the time it takes to create mutual
understanding between professionals is crucial. What
works in the US does not easily translate into business practices in the Middle East, so patience is a good
skill. Remember that religious practices affect business
practices, prevalent across the Gulf. Learning a little
about the culture and religion of who you do business
with, is a key factor in how to do business in the region. The workweek ends on Thursday and Friday is a
holiday. Make the effort to learn the language, fit into
the culture. It can win friends and influence people in
the long run. The ability to hold conversations is a way
for you to be measured as a potential partner. Mutual
respect, once developed over time, can make or break
business in the Arab world.
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