Anne - CP #2

Anne – CP #2

Date/Time: 14 January 2016, 1:00-1:50 (Cultural Exchange)
Location: Student Lounge, Hecht House
Topic discussed:  During this session, we did two activities.  The first was in a small group.  We each introduced ourselves by sharing six ways in which we define or characterize ourselves.  I worked with two young men from Kuwait and a woman from Colombia.  It was a lively discussion!

The second activity was a rotating 1:1 (talked with one person for about 5 minutes, then with another).  I was able to talk to two women about ways of greeting in our countries.  I talked about the value of a “firm handshake” when it comes to appearing confident in our culture.

Cultural and/or linguistic topics you and your partner learned:  My discussion with a woman from Saudi Arabia was quite meaningful to me.  We talked about touch – how Americans are “touchy people” and how this is a problem for her as a Muslim woman.  She brought up the matter of going to the doctor.  He put out his hand for a handshake, and she did not know how to respond since she could not touch him.  We agreed that her putting her hand on her heart as a response would not be offensive, that she did not have to offer any apologies, excuses, or explanations; he'd probably get the point.  When it came time for people to share what they discovered with the larger group, I asked her if I could share what I had learned about Muslim women and touch, and she gave me permission.  

Our discussion brought up a question for me about whether I should be shaking the hands of Muslim men.  I found out that it depends on the devoutness of the man.  In the large group discussion several men told me that the best way to handle this situation is to wait for the man to offer his hand, a sign that touch is okay in that context.