Your co-workers is originally from Saudi Arabia he stands so close when you speak with him it makes you very uncomfortable do you tell him of your discomfort?

Answer 1

I think covering it up is right out - just how would one do that? I mean, you can keep living with it, but you are uncomfortable and you wrote for solutions to that discomfort, so that option is just a nonsense. I can't help thinking that frank but good-humoured discussion is an entirely feasible and reasonable option.

I don't think this is so difficult; you are obviously a sensitive man and I imagine that your friend, who by now must surely know you well enough, will not fail to see that. Perhaps you could ask approach the matter delicately by questioning him as to whether such close bodily proximity when engaging in conversation is the norm in Saudi Arabia. And then perhaps go on to say how you have been considering your own country's concept of 'personal space'. If that goes over all right, you could say that you find you feel uncomfortable standing so close, but that you have no real rational basis for feeling that way, except that it is abnormal in your culture. I mean, that's more or less true, isn't it? And it's not any sort of rejection, which is the central consideration here, is it not? That is the thing you are most keen to avoid; you do not want to repel, or alienate him, or do anything at all that might detract from, or damage, what is a good working relationship. You don't want him to feel uncomfortable, or embarrassed, any more than you want that for yourself - totally reasonable.

Nah, sorry, I had to know so I typed 'saudi arabia personal space' into Google and would you believe: "Saudis do not require as much personal space as most western cultures. As such, they will stand close to you while conversing and you may feel as if your personal space has been violated".

And, "Gifts are not opened when received." Well that's just sensible; wise, even. I wonder what the practice is when returning unwanted items to the shop they came from; in short, do they do with presents the exact opposite of us and leave the price tag on?.

Now that I know this, I wonder whether I would not actually accept this exceptionable nearness, now that I understand it as being just a cultural thing. In the end, maybe it's so simple as that, being amicable as you are, you could actually, without causing any offence or awkwardness, not 'tell him of your discomfort' but discuss with him your curiosity about the difference - which, of course, having read up a little bit about Saudi culture courtesy of my little 'pointer' up there you are now perfectly qualified to do - in this aspect of your two cultures' social norms.

I must thank you for what was in the first place a very interesting question.

Answer 2

Generally, the Arab people taking more non-vegitarian foods. Mainly due to this we can feel un-comfortable.