Respect, Sacrifice, and Loyalty: Virtues Arab People are Proud of

posted on: May 27, 2020

By: Ala Abed-Rabbo/Arab America Contributing Writer

Arabs honor and admire the ones they adore. They also highly appreciate and value their friendships or even strangers. Families, in Arab culture, instead of the individual, are the essence of societies where morals and rituals are taught. For Arabs, caring for others is a “must” rather than a question as to whether it should or should not be done.

Arabs Towards their Loved Ones

The principles of Arab culture are distinctive and often mysterious across the globe. The word Arab depicts many different countries with a shared ethnicity, language, and history.

Treating people with reverence and privilege is very crucial in Arab culture. One should not mimic others or treat them with disregard as they will be deeply insulted and is especially true when it comes to adults.

Family dedication and unity, integrity, and devotion, and obligations are the critical values for the Arabs; therefore, most will to sacrifice it all in the name of family or acquaintance love.

How Arabs Help Others

Arab Americans and people of the Arab World keep less amount of private space in comparison to the other cultures. Appropriately, it can seem impolite for an individual to step away when another is stepping nearer. Arab society highlights the significance of the group; it demonstrates that the needs of people are better than the desires of an individual.

If someone you may or may not know well asks for help in any form, whether it be for money, babysitting, hospitality, or any favored duty, Arabs mostly happily accept to do the offers asked. It is considered rude for someone to say the two lettered words, “no” when others need their time and assistance.

Moreover, Arabs give much regard to older adults in many situations. For example, if an older person enters a room, the others should stand, greet, and ask if they need assistance. They are also given favored treatment and seated in the best seat of the home. When dining, Arabs serve the eldest people first at a table.

Also, for example, if family members, children, elders, friends, or strangers need help to cross a road, most Arabs will do anything that it takes to support the street crossover.

“Social loyalty is of great importance in Arab culture.” One of the traits of the Arab culture is kindness, and they usually show it by being considerate of each other.

For instance, it’s common for Arabs at dinner times to insist on guests to consume the last piece of the meal or to argue over who will take care of the restaurant bill. Also, if Arabs learn that strangers are hungry, they, without thinking twice, offer anything they have, even if it means deprivations to them and their family.

Assistance is a Sign of Respect

Arabs mostly never explicitly reject a request from a friend. If people do favors for others, they return the support in some way.  Arabs are well-known for being masters in the art of friendliness. Their goals are to say or do anything for loved ones, friends, or guests to “break the ice;” thus, freeing people from the “discomfort” phase and concern that comes with meeting a stranger. “If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.” – Arab proverb.”

Moreover, most Arab family members, friends, significant others, or strangers give a shirt off their backs to take care of each other in any possible form.

Also, a loyal friend is someone whom others feel free to impose on at any time, knowing that he or she will do their very best to help them, even if it means personal sacrifice. Such is not extraordinary behavior, but merely the norm and the person who does not live up to this guideline may be open to condemnation.

Arab Loyalty

In the Arab World, it is not uncommon to make a point of checking on friends, guests, family members, or strangers on a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly basis. Most Arabs take their devotions towards others very seriously. Whereas in some other cultures form quick and casual human bonds, the Arab concept is one of duration and passion.

It can be said that the preservation of Arab human relations takes the main concern over most other needs of life. For instance, if the requirements of friendship intrude on work obligations or other responsibilities, that is considered acceptable, expected, and very much recognized and appreciated.

Check out our Blog here!