A recent article published by the BBC recounts the misadventures of a London citizen sent to Dubai by his firm as an international assignee. The man, Ayman Najafi, was charged for indecency after kissing a woman on the cheek in a restaurant. He was found guilty and spent a month in jail before being deported by the Dubai administration.
Mr Najafi protested and claimed that a mere kiss on the cheek was not indecent and that this kind of behaviour was commonplace among expatriates in the country. He also insisted that Dubai was “deceptive” as “the laws have not developed as quickly as the country”.
 © istockphoto.com/ Catherine Yeulet
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While this critical incident led to some extreme and uncommon consequences, it remains a perfect example of the need for cross cultural awareness training courses for international assignees. Cultural misunderstandings and incidents occur more than most international assignees can imagine, mainly because while their behaviour appears to be perfectly acceptable for them it may be perceived as rude by the inhabitants of their host country.
To adapt, international assignees need to bear in mind the main cultural and religious values and try to act in accordance with them when living and working in another country. If we come back to the case of Mr Najafi, countries like the United Arab Emirates which are strongly influenced by Islam, forbid physical contact between men and women. This cultural fact remains true even in a globalised and modern looking city like Dubai.
To help international assignees have a smooth adaptation to their professional and personal environment and ensure they do not make any cultural faux-pas, it is crucial to provide them with key cultural information and knowledge about the target country before they relocate. Providing them with an understanding of the main cultural values, helping them to decipher the cultural background of the country and making them aware of the key do’s and don’ts in the culture will minimise the risks of cultural misunderstandings and critical incidents which can have hugely negative consequences for both the individual and the organisation.
Cross cultural awareness training courses such as Communicaid’s Living and Working in the UAE or Living and Working in India can help international assignees to understand and avoid any inappropriate behaviour. With the knowledge and insights gained from intercultural training, they can ensure a successful international assignment, not only in the workplace but also in their daily life.
© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010
