Beobachtung interkulturell-kommunikativer und psychosozial-dynamischer Verhaltensweisen (un)voreingenommener Gedankengeflechte am Beispiel deutsch-emiratischer, kultureller Beziehungen

Abstract

Observation On Intercultural-Communicative and Psychosocial-dynamic Behaviours of (un)biased Thought Webs on the basis of German-Emirate Cultural Relations

Highly specific theoretical and practical, essentially intercultural-communicative aspects within the German-Emirati psychosocial-dynamic relationship were observed during several research stays in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This exploration intended to regard and describe these in greater detail by means of an empirical-exploratory approach, trying to offer a more precise definition of some traditional perspectives of stereotype and prejudice research from a German standpoint towards the UAE. Findings include i. a. highly specific cultural subtleties and nuances that enabled to learn and better understand highly complex (inter)cultural dynamics of various aspects related to specific stereotypes and prejudices between the two countries that were studied (the UAE and Germany). Among some prejudices and stereotypes that are said to describe on a rather general level diverse behaviour patterns of many Emirati citizens in the UAE, for instance, one reads hospitality, megalomania, polygamy, xenophobia, sexism, overpricing, corruption, hatred of women, anti-alcoholism, religious radicalism, overstatement, lack of humor, fine taste, solidarity, integrity, unpunctuality, friendliness or introversion (...). These stereotypes and prejudices are subject to extensive research within the scope of diverse fields of study, such as linguistic, cultural, social, evolutionary or ethnic anthropology. However, it seems certain highly specific psychosocial-dynamic aspects linked to German viewpoints towards the UAE have been understudied to date. Among these, for example, intercultural communication plays a pivotal role in analyzing situations in which people with different cultural backgrounds interact. Culture determines how individuals shape messages, what means they use to transmit these, and how they interpret the messages. In the broadest sense, culture refers to all manifestations of human existence that are based on certain values and learned behavior which in turn are expressed in ‘permanent creation’ and preservation of values. This declaration is of relevance when ‘German’ viewpoints towards the UAE are regarded more closely, as these could be most amply characterized as complex. Demeaning perspectives leading to stereotypes and prejudices are not an exception in this particular case. The UAE are continuously reduced to an oil-rich country, disregarding i. a. social, cultural, political (…) merits. However, an image of acceptance and tolerance seems to have prevailed for some controversially discussed stereotypes and prejudices related to the UAE from German perspectives if it is delved more profoundly into (inter)cultural values that are not necessarily regarded disrespectfully as we have been able to recognize. Openness, tolerance and diversity can now be attributed to the UAE more than ever as a product of large changes. These have taken place recently in a place which has been inhabited for over 125,000 years, having been at the crossroads interculturality for many civilizations in the Middle-East and the world throughout the ages. Such as cultural variety is contemporary witness to (inter)cultural values that are often inseparably molten with cultural, religious, political, diplomatic and pacifist intentions. Critical approaches to aspects alike the aforementioned