Ethnocentricity in Assessing Culture Inside Saudi

BY KAVANWAL MD





Ethnocentricity, especially when faced with cultural differences, is an unavoidable human response. As humans, we need to have a point of reference, and this stance is based on what is familiar.

Ethnocentricity is a term used in sociological studies to describe the measure in which humans judge other cultures, or situations foreign to them.

Growing up in one culture, and exposing yourself to another can leave a person feeling isolated from what is familiar or routine. One way to cope, is to judge cultural differences by basing the norm on what is usual in practices within your own society, neighborhood or situation --a station in life where a person is most familiar or comfortable.

Arabic culture, for example, is vastly different from Western societies in terms of dress, language, socialization, religion and just about every aspect of life.

Ethnocentricity comes into play when Westerners visit countries like Saudi Arabia, and judge or measure that society against their own.

When I came to Saudi Arabia, I had no idea of what to expect. Like many others submerged in a foreign culture, ethnocentricity reared its head.

I would like to make it clear, that in spite of cultural differences, there are some very good and wonderful aspects of the Saudi Arabic culture.

I met some genuine, warm people, and many of the women were delightful. (Some delightful characters are described in the novel, Surreal in Saudi and the upcoming novel, Awry in Arabia ). I was afforded the opportunity to learn and investigate common practices of the Arabic culture that are hidden from the outside world.

I went to Saudi with an open heart and mind, and even though I was dismayed with several aspects inside the Arabic culture, there are some positives.

These web pages are not about spreading negative propaganda of the Arabic culture, nor are they created to promote fear or hatred towards people of another culture or faith.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for those who are true to themselves, true to their faith and benevolent towards their fellow human being. It is the abuses within the Arabic culture, and perhaps Arabic cultural differences within their own society I highlight.

Unfortunately, because Saudi Arabia culture is still an emerging Third World country, many atrocities occur on a daily basis. The diversities in the country, and the divisiveness between the Arab people themselves, is widespread.

Please understand that not all Arabs are bad, and that not all Muslims aim to kill us.

Some religious teachings from one or two of the doctrinal schools within Islam propagate hatred, destruction and devastation, and no one can fight a belief, no matter how misguided that particular belief may be.

The purpose of my writings are geared to enlighten, help us Westerners understand the Arabic mind-set and to foster an awareness of human suffering inside a hidden culture. It is also meant to increase an awareness of the very real and dangerous threats against us, as Westerners.

Hopefully all of us can recognize our own ethnocentricity, and protect our freedoms, rights and privileges handed down to us from our forefathers from these extremists. If we have a grasp on the Arabic mind-set , perhaps, in time, our ethnocentricity in addressing cultural differences will become irrelevant, and we can find the road to peace.



Articles of Interest:

Traditional Arabic Dress for Men

Conconed Incest

Jobs in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Women; Traditional Dress

Tolerance in America

Book Excerpt: Inside a Saudi Prison

Book Notes on Saudi

Adult Graphic Novel : Facts about Saudi Arabia

MiddleEast Events : Organ Transplant

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