New book offers ‘inside guide’ to Arab culture

AMMAN — A new book by international communications expert Rana Nejem offers an insiders’ guide to living and working in the Arab world.

At an event at the Institute of Diplomacy on Saturday, Nejem led a discussion on her book, “When in the Arab World” and the importance of cultural intelligence.

The book is a practical map that will help non-Arabs understand the people and demystify the culture of the Arab world — the beliefs, values and social structures that determine the way business is conducted and how things are done, according to a statement from the author.

“My intention is to help people avoid the pitfalls and all the stress and frustration that come with working with a different culture,” Nejem said.

Writing the book was not easy, the author said, noting that finding the balance between the “general” and the “specific”, while not falling into the trap of oversimplifying matters, was a challenge.

“As an Arab myself, I had to make sure that I did not end up romanticising my own culture,” she said. 

“I have included many interviews with businesspeople, diplomats and expats from all over the world speaking about their own experiences of working with Arab culture,” Nejem explained.

The author started her career as a broadcast journalist. After working with CNN during the first Gulf War, she moved to the Royal Court, where she was responsible for the International Media Department.

She then led the public diplomacy and communications work of the British embassy in Amman for 18 years, according to her website.