Hospitality is different in every culture. As a law enforcement professional, understanding these differences will help you to be knowledgeable, respectful, and safe during interactions.
Before you begin, be sure to review the following brief video, The First Three to Five Seconds (1:33):
As discussed in the video, hospitality is a common sign of respect and a way to establish trust in most Arab cultures. This can create issues for law enforcement officers when interacting with members, especially recent immigrants and refugees, of Arab and other Middle Eastern cultures (Shusta, 2011, p. 250). Write an essay in which you address the following questions:
If an officer is offered a cup of coffee, or some other food or beverage, by a member of the Arab/Middle Eastern community, what should his or her response be?
If he or she declines, can you describe how that might be done in a manner that isn’t offensive to the person making the offer?
Discuss the types of appropriate behaviors that might be applicable when officers are encountering individuals of Arab or Middle Eastern cultures to promote improved relations between police and these community groups.
What types of skills would a law enforcement officer use to effectively communicate with individuals in this group?
