Greetings from non Muslims to Muslims

.......

Most of the Qatari's I work with speak better English than the Westerners in my company. The Muslims at work taught me more than enough of the language to get by on a day to day basis. Personally speaking, although you could get by out here without learning the lingo, it would be a little ignorant to do so. It is their country after all. However, I doubt anyone would care!!

[img_assist|nid=17864|title=Chicks dig Guys with skills|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=440|height=440]

han, talking about this handshake ... once a year i went to company dinner with hubby. First year i am worry wether to shake this Qatari guys hand or not. Second year i did not shake their hand, acted like the local ppl that wife stand behind the husband. After that i can't be bother just stand next to my husband and shake all their hand regardless. They are a bit surprise but they take my handshake back and smile :-)

Who is deletin this stupid users posts people??????????

[img_assist|nid=13339|title=.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=180|height=180]

if its women and men together for official purposes, its better for the woman to wait for the man to extend out the hand to shake.

most muslim men and non-muslims women dont mind having the courtesy handshake.....but usually if the muslim man doesnt want to shake the hand, he will politely shake his head or explain very politely that he is religiosuly not allowed to shake the woman's hand.

no, nobody will rebuke or insult. they are very polite about it. neither is anyone offended by this becasue its usually over in a moment and then its back to the original reason of the meet.

i have been in this situation numeours times with my colleagues and all the tim i have noticed the men to be extremely cordial so as not to create any sort of unpleasant tension.

happy heart

drive safe because someone is waiting for you at home

What if a woman offers her hand to shake hands with a muslim man? I'm very worried I'm going to forget and I'm going to do this automatically and inadvertently cause offence.

Are people offended when this happens? Do they say something to rebuke you? Do they shake your hand anyway, so as not to cause offence by rejecting your hand?

What's the best course of action? Wait to see if a man offers to shake your hand? Or would he think you were rude if you meet someone and don't offer to shake their hand?

dont worry pal.

usually if there are arabs and muslims around they automatically wish salaam alaikum.

you can wish back wa-laikum salaam.

we do feel happy when a non-muslim in this part takes care to know such tiny details, it basically shows respect to the local/religious customs.

its not necessary for you to deliberately extend the warm wish by saying it first, unless ofcourse, you are attending a meeting with all arabs and muslims and you wish to be courteous...then its cool.even then if you wish them the customary "good morning" followed by plesantaries, its fine because muslims do understand that everyone dont understand these things.

regarding shops, they will greet with you whatever you are comfortable with.most shopkeepers will greet with the salaam alaikum and since you know the reply, you can always say walaikum salaam.

so the sequence is:

first person greeting: salaam alaikum

reply: walaikum salaam.

sometimes two people will greet at the same time, then just smile and reply back.

(you didnt follow up on the dream thread)

happy heart

drive safe because someone is waiting for you at home

I appreciate your help.

Thanks Buddy.

what r u talking about man?

absolutely NOT:)

i totaly respect ur eagerness to learn about where u r going..

its a sign of an open mind and a smart person..

it was an absolute pleasure if anything ...and plz dont hesitate to ask any other questions no matter how small u think of..

if u want, contact me directly:)

i d be more than happy to answer any question u have..

have a gr8 day man

http://hasous.spaces.live.com

"missiles, warships and nuclear weapons cannot establish security. Instead they destroy what peace and security build." Anwar Sadat

Thanks very much.

Was I a bit annoying?

I didn't mean to be.

al salamo alikoum is a greeting

alikom elsalam is a a reply

Let me explain what the phrase means and u ll find it easier to understand everything

SALAM= peace

AL SALAM= THE peace

Alikoum = upoN YOU

so

Al Salamo Alikoum = The peace be upon you.

Now the response

Alikoum = Upon you

Al Salam= the peace

so as u can see, the reponse is EXACTLLy the greeting in reverse..like returning it bk to sender :)

http://hasous.spaces.live.com

"missiles, warships and nuclear weapons cannot establish security. Instead they destroy what peace and security build." Anwar Sadat

Sorry, still a bit confused.

Will Al Asalam Alioukom serve both as a greeting and a reply?

its NOT BETTER to use OTHER arabic greetings in my openion..

ithink u r making a big deal out of it..

just be pleasent and say alasalm alioukom...no biggy...

http://hasous.spaces.live.com

"missiles, warships and nuclear weapons cannot establish security. Instead they destroy what peace and security build." Anwar Sadat

JBH,

It depends on who you are addressing. Some Muslims will reply with Wa Alayk if they know you are non muslim. More or less the advise that was given was that when a non muslims greets as such then you should reply wa alayk. This is due to the fact some people like to be snide or make fun of Muslims and the greeting. Some will reply with Wa Alay Kumus Salaam. The easiest thing to do in order to avoid any situations is to use common Arabic greetings instead of "As salaamu alay kum".

Act your age not your shoe size

If I wanted to be particularly courteous and say Al Salamo Aliekom, I could have got a "why are you saying that, you aren't a Muslim" sort of response.

But now I know because you have kindly told me, many thanks for that.

I will be meeting with a munber of clients when I arrive and it is important to avoid making howlers at a first meeting.

I'm sure you understand.

DUDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES

Dont obsess about these things:) its not really that big a deal in the 1st place..

saying Hi will get u by if thats what it comes down to...

When u meet a muslim and u want to use arabic , u say " Al Salamo Aliekom" ( Peace be upon you )

if they say it to you first , you reply by saing " Alikoum Al- Salam)

( peace be upon you to)

seriouslly though, its not that important if u mess up or anything...we KNOW that u dont understand:)

Take care

http://hasous.spaces.live.com

"missiles, warships and nuclear weapons cannot establish security. Instead they destroy what peace and security build." Anwar Sadat

I would like to know the same thing. I learn the basics but I would hate to offend.

Is it like most other places I have been?

I learn the basics, hello, please, thank you, 1, 2, 3, beer, menu etc.

But as soon as I try I get answered in English.

What are the pit falls that can cause offence?