|
Cultural Etiquette
Cultural Dos and Taboos
• It is customary to address a person by their first name adding "uzbark" which means brother or sister. Titles are preferable to first names, especially in the case of elders or superiors. The word haji can be used for a Muslim who has been on pilgrimage to Mecca.
• The traditional Muslim greeting is A-salaam a-laykum ("Peace be upon you"), to which the reply is w-laykum o a-salaam ("And upon you be peace").
• One should always expect a lengthy and elaborate greeting. A handshake with inquiries after family, work, home and health is the appropriate form of greeting among men. With women, men should wait to see if the women extend their hands voluntarily. For people who are sitting further away, a gesture of greeting is made by putting the right hand on the heart, making a slight bow with the head. Making complimentary comments about women present is not acceptable.
• Normally, one should be prepared to remove one's shoes before entering a building or a home. When one removes one's shoes, the soles of the shoes are placed together, preventing the sole from being pointed at anyone. Also, among Muslims, one should never show the bottom of one's feet as it is considered offensive. Be sure not to walk on prayer mats, which will likely be present within homes.
• Uzbeks are noted for their kind hospitality to visitors. If one is invited into the home of an Uzbek, it is customary to take a gift to the host or hostess. Baked goods, chocolates, or a bag of sweets, are good choices. Other suggestions include pens, books, or forms of music. More elaborate offerings, such as a beautiful ornament, possibly from one's own country, would constitute an acceptable gift between business associates.
• When seated for a meal, guests will sit on a low supa (it looks like a bed), covered with flat mattresses called korpas. One should sit where the host suggests; note that the further away one may be seated from the entrance to the room or garden, the more honored one is considered to be. Legs may be stretched under the table and cushions should be used to support you.
• Expect men and women to be seated separately in more traditional (often rural) homes. Both men and women may sit together in more modern homes (usually in cities).
• Meals will begin with tea and candy, followed by hot dishes, vegetables, fruit and drink. The cuisine is greatly influenced by Asian palates, dating back to the ancient days of the Silk Route. Expect to eat heartily and for the meal to go on for several hours, sometimes in to the wee hours of the morning. Note also that the tea ceremony which prescedes the meal is very elaborate. Drinking tea is neither a matter of quenching thirst nor of empty symbolism. Drinking tea is a culturally ordained custom denoting hospitality, respect and even friendship.
• Although Uzbekistan is a predominantly Muslim country, it is possible that alcohol (perhaps wine of vodka) may be served as well. Toasting friendship, mutuality, and health, is very important symbolically, and involves clinking glasses or the Uzbek teacup (called the piola) with other guests.
• In conversation, good topic choices include Uzbek history, current or modern achievements, sports and culture. Uzbeks are known as a good-humored people, so interjecting humor is another way to break down the barriers and forge a friendship within this culture. Generally, discussions about politics or religion, while not prohibited, are not recommended among new friends. Also, before embarking upon any kind of business discussion, one should ask after one's counterpart's health and life. Men should be careful not to bring up the subject of women unless one's counterpart does so first.
• In the realm of personal protocol, one should not enter a room or home without knocking or coughing to announce one's presence. One should also not shout, laugh too loudly or sing during meal times. Note that it is appropriate to cover the mouth when laughing.
• Generally, visitors are urged to acquaint themselves with the calendar and traditions of Islam, such as the fasting, daily prayer and practices. Praying five times daily, for example, is customary and affects the schedule of all events and practices in countries with Muslim populations. During the period of Ramadan, for instance, fasting and prayer is mandatory for Muslims.
• Among more traditional Muslims, one should always use the right hand in preference to the left. The left hand is considered unclean in the Muslim world and as such, one should never eat with the left hand. Likewise, one should avoid gesturing with the left hand while making sure that gifts are received with the right hand. Of course, it is acceptable to use both hands when one is insufficient. One should also avoid pointing at another person, and one should never use the North American "thumbs up" gesture as is considered to be vulgar throughout the Muslim world.
• Uzbekistan is a predominantly Muslim culture and although it is not considered to be a fundamentalist Islamic country, clothing should be appropriate to this environment. Business wear is typically more conventional; suits are the norm for both men and women, although more casual attire may also be permissible. Western women should try to be more restrained in regard to makeup and jewelry. Both men and women should dress modestly. Tight, revealing clothing is simply not acceptable, while shorts, bikinis and short hems are objectionable. Necklines should be high and sleeves should come to the elbows. Hemlines should be well below the knee, if not ankle length. While the rules for men's attire is not as strict, men must keep their chest covered in public and should never wear shorts in public.
|