Cross Cultural Communication

While on a plane with 2 friends the author of From Foreign To Familiar was asked by one to tell her about living in Israel. She told her that the Jewish and Arab cultures were different. The Jewish culture she said is direct. You say what you think. The Arab culture is indirect being about politeness and friendship. If offered a cup of coffee you should say, no thank you. It will be offered again and you might reply no, please don't bother. Again you will be asked and you would decline saying that you really don't like coffee. After this your host will bring out the coffee and serve you and you would drink it. The first friend was astonished. She said she had no idea that such a custom existed. Her other friend who was from Lebanon was also suprised saying that she had worked in the US for eight years but had no idea that Americans were not aware of this practice.