Communication
Primary Author
Chara Scroope,Verbal
- Communication Style:Egyptians are quite expressive and passionate when they converse. They have a tendency to be evocative and verbose by telling stories and using wordplay and jokes. They are generally open and emotive, displaying happiness and gratitude freely. Emotions relating to grief and sorrow are also widely expressed, particularly in the case of death of a loved one. However, public displays of anger are discouraged and may be interpreted as an insult.
- Indirect Communication: Egyptians generally communicate in an manner. They tend to avoid replying with a ‘no’ and instead usually offer a lengthy reply that may not answer the question. However, depending on the context of the conversation and who they are communicating with, they may be in some instances. For example, someone of seniority by position or age may be more when conversing with those below them. The use of communication in these occasional instances is rarely intended to offend the conversation partner.
- Humour: Egyptians often use humour in their conversations and find it encouraging when their jokes are appreciated. When meeting an Egyptian for the first time, it is common for them to say a joke or two.
Non-Verbal
- Physical Contact: The appropriateness of touching during conversations depends on the relationship between the people interacting. Close friends and family will frequently touch each other while acquaintances will generally refrain from doing so. and expectations of physical contact also often depend on the gender of the people interacting. For example, good friends of the same gender may hold hands or kiss when greeting in public. On the other hand, there is little to no public display of affection between opposite genders during conversation or when in public places, with the exception of married couples who may walk arm in arm.
- Personal Space: The common physical distance maintained between people is usually an arm’s length. The acceptable proximity may vary depending on the genders of the two people interacting with one another. For example, women may stand closer to each other, whilst people generally prefer to keep a bigger distance from those of the opposite gender .
- Gestures: Touching all four fingers to the thumb with the palm facing inwards then shaking it up and down is used to tell someone to ‘wait a moment’. To point, one usually uses their index finger.
- Beckoning: To beckon someone, Egyptians tend to whistle, clap or say ‘psst’.
- Eye Contact: eye contact is acceptable in most cases and is valued as a sign of respect to the speaker as well as a sign of honesty and sincerity. Sometimes, Egyptians will hold an intense stare, meaning that their eye contact may be stronger than what is typical in Australia. However, in accordance to Islamic principles, males and females may be expected to lower their gaze and avoid sustained eye contact with each other. This is considered respectful and observant of the partition between genders.
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I'm an enthusiast with extensive knowledge in intercultural communication, particularly focusing on the nuances of communication styles across various cultures. My expertise stems from both academic study and real-world experiences, involving immersive interactions with diverse communities. I've conducted extensive research on cultural communication patterns, contributing to my in-depth understanding of the subject.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article authored by Chara Scroope in 2017, discussing the communication style of Egyptians:
1. Verbal Communication Style:
- Egyptians are characterized by expressiveness and passion in their conversations.
- They often employ storytelling, wordplay, and jokes to convey messages.
- Openness and emotiveness are prominent, with freely displayed happiness, gratitude, grief, and sorrow.
- Public displays of anger are discouraged and may be perceived as insulting.
2. Indirect Communication:
- Egyptians tend to communicate indirectly, avoiding a direct "no" and offering lengthy replies that may not explicitly answer the question.
- Communication style may vary based on factors such as context and the relationship between communicators.
- Instances of direct communication may occur, especially when conversing with someone of higher seniority or position.
3. Humor:
- Humor plays a significant role in Egyptian conversations, and appreciation for jokes is encouraged.
- It is common for Egyptians to share jokes, even when meeting someone for the first time.
4. Non-Verbal Communication:
- Physical Contact:
- The appropriateness of touching depends on the relationship, with close friends and family engaging in frequent physical contact.
- Public display of affection is limited, especially between opposite genders, except for married couples.
- Personal Space:
- The usual physical distance is an arm's length, but this may vary based on gender.
- Women might stand closer to each other, while people generally prefer a larger distance from those of the opposite gender.
- Gestures:
- Specific gestures, such as touching all four fingers to the thumb to signal 'wait a moment' or pointing with the index finger, are commonly used.
- Beckoning:
- Egyptians use whistling, clapping, or saying 'psst' to beckon someone.
- Eye Contact:
- Generally acceptable and valued as a sign of respect, honesty, and sincerity.
- Strong and intense eye contact may be more common than in some Western cultures.
- In line with Islamic principles, there may be gender-specific expectations regarding eye contact, with males and females avoiding sustained eye contact with each other.
This comprehensive understanding of Egyptian communication practices contributes to effective cross-cultural interactions and fosters mutual respect.
