INTERCULTURAL

RELATIONSHIPS
Prepared by : Sheza Siham 11G
 The main purpose of this research is to
demonstrate how intercultural connections
help us live together happily and
productively in a multicultural society and
foster a sense of belonging. The major aim
is to show the value of intercultural
interactions in our society by
demonstrating how to respect everyone's
unique cultural customs.
INTRODUCTION
Intercultural relationships are relations between groups or
individuals from different cultures. These relations can be
characterized by the acknowledgment of different world
views or by the ignorance of them. Especially in today's global
and multicultural world, students of intercultural relations
can use their training in many fields both internationally and
domestically, and often pursue careers in social work, law,
community development, religious work, and urban
development. Intercultural relations provides the
opportunity to direct you in experiencing and learning about
the diverse relationships
within our world.
Intercultural relations offers the opportunity to direct you in
experiencing and learning about the diverse relations
within our world.
In today's society, intercultural relationships are
common, including those spanning race, age,
religious, class,
nationality, gender preference and physical and
mental abilities. Intercultural
relationships can be between families, friends and
colleagues, in your community
and also
when you meet new people from different
countries while you’re travelling around the
globe!
INVISIBLE ASPECTS OF
CULTURE
Invisible culture is defined as the intangible parts of a
culture. This type of culture helps shape our perception,
attitudes, beliefs and values. Hidden differences include
cultural values and assumptions. Values are the worth we
attach to something or a broad tendency to prefer one state
of affairs to another—for example, freedom of speech, group
harmony, or gender equality. Assumptions are ideas that are
accepted as truths to even when there is no proof.In most
cases, the invisible aspects of culture influence or cause the
visible ones. Religious beliefs, for example, are clearly
manifest in certain holiday customs, and notions of modesty
affect styles of dress. Just because we cannot readily see
invisible diversity does not mitigate the importance of
recognizing, understanding, and addressing invisible
diversity. Invisible diversities can be a major part of a
person’s life and may impact an employee’s ability to
perform typical work activities and communicate effectively.
They can also impact a person’s ability to move through the
recruitment and selection process.
VISIBLE ASPECTS OF
CULTURE
Visible culture refers to the elements of culture that are
visible. Visible cultural elements include artefacts,
symbols, and practices such as: art and architecture;
language, colour, and dress; social etiquette and
traditions
 Relationship between
visible and invisible
culture

refers to elements of
Some cultural differences are visible, whilst others
are hidden. Visible culture
culture that are visible. Although they are the most
obvious, visible cultural differences comprise only
ten percent of our cultural identities. Culture is a
complex and elusive concept. We think we know
exactly what the term culture means until we start
talking to others about it and come across the wide
number of meanings of the term. In academic work
culture has sometimes been used as a central concept
in theories explaining human society and behaviour,
but at other times it is almost ignored. In the
humanities (literature, art, music, history) reference
is often made to culture to explain aspects of human
affairs, while in some social sciences (especially in
economics, and, until recently, in sociology) culture
sometimes doesn't rate a mention.

Our cultures are influenced by the visible and

invisible, by the external and internal
INTERNAL CULTURE
The internal culture can
be described in two subsets:
The visible internal and the invisible internal. The
visible culture consists of the language, literature,
music, food, dress, music, visual arts, festivals, games.

Culture is a nebulous concept and is often an

undefined aspect of an organization. Although
extensive academic literature exists relating to the
topic of organizational culture, there is no generally
accepted definition of culture. Instead, the literature
expresses many different views as to what
organizational culture is.

The internal, or subconscious, part of culture is below

the surface of a society and includes some beliefs and
the values and thought patterns that underlie.

An Example: For example, I remember my days as a

front-line factory worker where employees would
argue over who got to sit in one of the few chairs on
the lines. Because of a perceived lack of resources,
employees became competitive, short-tempered and
hostile. You could blame the employees for being
negative, or label the managers as unenlightened, but
either only adds to the negative climate.
-Susan-

 Meanwhile, the invisible internal environment is

often more difficult to fully understand. The elements
in the invisible internal environment include the
history, processes, tacit assumptions, and beliefs.
Although you can’t see any of these with a physical
eye, these invisible elements eventually manifest into
the physical realm of behaviors and “the way we do
things around here.”
Workplace relationships reside in the invisible
because relationships are built on the way we think
about other people. The way you see yourself and the
way you see others affect your connectedness, or lack
thereof.

EXTERNAL CULTURE
The external environment also includes both visible and
invisible cultures. The visible
external culture includes, your
customers, and your competitors. For example, when
Wendy’s builds a location across the street from a Burger
King, we see how the forces in the visible cultures affect the
business for better or worse. Notice how the invisible
elements of politics, relationships, and current events are
influencing the decision-making of top executives.

Education is another way to manage external factors. For

example, sustainability is a popular topic in today’s society. If
a company chooses to become a more sustainable
organization, it is important for them to establish a training
and development program.
 A training and development program can help instill
sustainability within the culture of an organization. An
initiative like sustainability needs to be instilled and
enforced throughout every level of an organization in
order to be successful
 Cultural differences
and similarities in the
UAE
always make sure you wear
pants that reach to at least
Cultural difference in clothing: When in public places,

your knees and make sure your shoulders are covered.

These rules also apply in the many malls. In resorts,
hotels, on the beach and in the desert it can all be a bit
more relaxed. Swimwear is also accepted at the beach and
at swimming pools. In mosques it is obvious (and
obligatory!) that you dress according to culture. That
means, pants or skirt that cover the ankles, long sleeves
and a headscarf for women. Also, shoes are forbidden in
mosques. It might be easy to wear a traditional hijab or
abaya.

Cultural difference in food compared to the Western

world: The Arab cuisine is known for the use of dried
fruit, legumes and especially a lot of different spices! And
that’s why you should visit the spice market in Deira. You
will find all the spices you can imagine over there!
 Cultural difference for women: Dubai is a very safe
country and women can travel safely. As a woman, it’s
not mandatory to wear a headscarf in public but in the
mosques however, it is mandatory! In Dubai, women
have a much more liberal lifestyle than women in other
countries in the Middle East. This means women can just
drive, work, etc. over here. However, when you talk to a
local, it’s recommended to wait for a hand to be offered to
you for a handshake. This is because some pious muslims
would rather not shake hands with a woman. But on the
other hand, women are often helped first at the
supermarket, the bank etc. Government buildings often
even have separate queues for women! The metro also
has a separate train carriage for women.

Not allowed to carry alcohol: Officially alcohol is

forbidden in Dubai. It’s only allowed in areas approved by
the sheikh. Although, it’s not too bad in Dubai. It’s mainly
the other Emirates where they are much stricter. For
example, you can even import alcohol into Dubai: you can
take 4 liters per person. However, in stores or
supermarkets, alcohol is not available. Also, you need a
license to have alcohol in your own home. In various
restaurants, hotels and bars they are allowed to give you
alcohol, but only when they have a permit. Even during
excursions it is often possible to get alcohol.
SIMILARITIES
The Culture of the United Arab Emirates is part of the
culture of Eastern Arabia. Its historical population was a
small tribal community that changed with the arrival of
an influx of foreign nationals in the mid-20th century.
Emirati culture is a blend of Arabian, Islamic, and Persian
cultures, with influences from the cultures of East Africa
and Indian Subcontinent. Islam has had a prominent
influence on local architecture, music, attire, cuisine, and
lifestyle. The UAE's official language is Arabic, but English
is widely spoken due to the country's diverse nature and
economic globalization. Farsi, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali and
Mandarin are also widely spoken by expatriates from Iran,
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China.

Native Emirati nationals speak the Gulf Arabic, which is

similar to that spoken in other GCC countries and Iraq.

Emirati architecture reflects the traditional lifestyles and

customs of the people. Building materials are simple, but
well-adapted to local living and climate. For migrant
tribes, portable tents traditionally provided shelter during
the winter season. Inland, more permanent houses were
built of stone guss with roofs made from palm tree leaves.
Fossilized coral, cut in blocks, bonded with sarooj or a
seashell-derived lime mixture, and plastered with chalk
and water paste, was used extensively in coastal regions.
 English is the Common Language Arabic is the
national language of the UAE. But not many people
know that English is the most common language. Due
to almost 90%, Dubai’s population is consist of ex-
pats from all over the world, they communicate in
English with each other. Sometimes you don’t have to
say or hear a single word of Arabic for many days
during your stay in Dubai. There is a high possibility
that you meet someone who is living in Dubai for
many years but still don’t know the basics of Arabic.

Multi-Cultural Society A Large number of immigrants

from all over the world are living in these both cities. The
beauty of Multi-cultural society make these cities more
vibrant, diverse and the best places to move to. Multi-
Cultural society let people understand others culture,
religion, lifestyle and most importantly it brings them
closer to each other.
 DIFFERENT
APPROACHES TO
CULTURE
The Etiquette & Customs Approach: First of all, it is useful to
know about people’s customs and habits, for example, when
and how they greet others. There are many books on this
topic, from professional studies to popular travel guides.
There are videos and websites that help us know how to
behave in everyday encounters with people who are different
from us. Knowing what behavior is expected in particular
situations can help us enormously—we can more quickly feel
comfortable and blend in a bit, and we can prevent some
unintentional insults. The downsides to this approach are
that it is

The Cultural Dimensions Approach: Another approach is to

learn models of culture that help alert us to those areas where
in our differences are likely to show up and where the
differences will make a difference. For example, some people
have a deep respect for authority and hierarchy
 The Cultural Detective Approach: A powerful way to
understand the motives of others and ourselves is by learning
about core values. As a Cultural Detective we want to know
what lies behind peoples’ many differences and what drives
the gestures, words, and preferences of the people with whom
we interact.

The Language Learning Approach: We can also learn the

language of our colleagues, clients, students, or neighbors.
This could mean anything from learning their slang or TLAs
(three-letter abbreviations) to mastering Arabic, Mandarin, or
Verlan. Language is, of course, a key to understanding how
people think, how they see the world, and what is important
to them. It is supremely valuable for communicating across
cultures. But, learning another tongue takes a long time.
Learning their language may not be a step that you have time
to take before interacting with people from another culture

 Examples of culture
complexes and traits
of the UAE
Customs and Traditions Emiratis practice a variety of
customs and traditions that are distinct and unique to

their country. For instance, Arab coffee is served in Dallah

- the Arabic coffee pot to guests in this country as a symbol
of hospitality. It is deemed rude and disrespectful to refuse
it as it is offered in a welcoming gesture. Falconry is
another tradition in UAE that reflects the Bedouin culture
of UAE, dating back to hundreds of years. The falcon called
as ‘Saqr’, is considered a symbol of bravery, resolution,
strong-will, elegance, and contentment. Abu Dhabi Falcon
Hospital is one of the most famous places for falconry;
known for its desert safaris that provide easy access to the
bird to the delight of visitors.

Incredible Architecture Heavily influenced and inspired by

Persian, Arabian, and Islamic architecture, the
architecture here reflects the age-old customs, traditions,
lifestyle & the rich culture of UAE and the Emiratis. The
local architects utilize a diverse range of materials and
survey the climatic conditions carefully to ensure that
people get sufficient ventilation and privacy. ‘Barjeel’ or a
‘Windtower’ is a typical Iranian architectural element that
is employed to generate natural ventilation.


Religion: Religion plays a significant role in the cities of

UAE; with equal respect given to all religious practices
across cultures. A majority of the population
(approximately 76%) practice Islam in the country; with
more Sunni than Shia Muslims. Hinduism, Christianity,
Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism, are the other minority
religions practised in the country. The country is home
to some of the most beautiful mosques in the world, and
there are specific laws in place so that Muslims can
practice Islam. For instance, working hours are reduced
by two hours during Ramadan. Also, the official working
days are Sunday to Thursday, so that Muslims can offer
their Friday prayers without any difficulty.

Art in the UAE : The diverse culture of UAE can further

be observed in elements such as art, music, dance,
literature, and theatre. There are many art galleries and
museums in this country that reflect the past as well as
provide some insight into the future. Calligraphy is a
famous traditional art here, that presents Arabic words
as an aesthetic piece of art. When it comes to
contemporary literature, ‘Nabati poetry’, that traces
lives and routines of people over the years, and ‘Spoken
poetry’ are two of the most popular elements in the UAE.
 Cuisine: The cuisine is a reflection of the diverse
culture of UAE, augmented with a number of spices
and ingredients such as dates, cloves, cardamom,
cinnamon, saffron, etc. A Bedouin recipe in which a
cooked camel stuffed with goats, sheep, and chickens,
is the specialty of this country. Though since camel
meat is expensive, it is usually reserved for special
occasions. Some other popular food items in this
country are the following: Harees, prepared by slowly
cooking cracked wheat and meat, and served in a small
quantity during Eid and Ramadan. Kabsa consists of
multiple rice dishes with vegetables and meat.
Maqluba, a popular dish prepared by blending and
cooking meat, rice, and vegetables in a pot and turning
them over in the end so that the bottom layer lays on
the top, is served with a simple salad, yogurt, or sauce.

Dressing Style: The style of dressing of the Emiratis is

influenced by Islamic texts preaching modesty and
conservativeness, and thus, men and women alike
wear clothes that cover most parts of their body.

Abaya, a long black cloak that covers the whole

body except the feet, hands, and face, is the traditional
dress of women in the Arab Emirates.

 Kandura is a long and loose-fitting robe, usually white

in colour that is worn by men in the Arab Emirates and
is generally paired up with Ghutrah, a typical
headscarf that can be tied in various styles. The length
of Kandura is often used to determine the status of the
person, such that the longer the robe is, the more
wealthy the person is. Further, some people, especially
youths and expats, are seen wearing more western
clothing items such as jeans and T-shirt in cities like
Dubai

Music and dance also play a vital role in UAE; with

songs and dances that have been passed down over
generations and still performed during celebrations.
Depicting traditional values such as unity among the
tribe members, Stick dance is one of the most popular
dance forms in UAE. Khaleegy is another popular
dance form in UAE in which women rhythmically
move their bodies and sway their hair to strong beats
of music.
Bibliography
https://www.spps.org/cms/lib/MN01910242/Centricity/Dom
ain/125/iceberg_model_3.pdf

https://hireventures.com/2021/07/22/visible-vs-invisible-
diversity/

https://granite.pressbooks.pub/mgmt805/chapter/external-
factors-of-organizational-culture/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercultural_relations

https://www2.pacific.edu/sis/culture/file/sec1-1-1h1.htm

https://blog.culturaldetective.com/2014/09/09/4-methods-
of-learning-culture/

https://www.humansynergistics.com/blog/culture-
university/details/culture-university/2018/03/14/how-
visible-and-invisible-forces-shape-culture