Arabs and admitting mistakes

Submitted by Hugo S (Morocco), Jul 8, 2011 at 04:53

I live in Morocco and I just started looking on the internet if anybody posted anything on arabs/middle easterners being unable, but i call it unwilling, admitting a mistake.

There is a lot that explains the culture of never admitting a mistake (it is always YOUR fault or someone else's fault etc). Eg not accepting a failure (failing is bad while in the west it is seen as an opportunity to learn and evolve). Or not believing that YOU yourself can do anything about the situation: in Arab cultures independent thinking and taking action is not encouraged, you are always told what to do, therefore you have no power and no access to change and personal action. The only way out is that the OTHER must change instead of you , because remember YOU cant change (defying the logic that if you cant change, then other arab cannot change either because he has the same mentality as you!!: therefore nothing changes and arabs will eternally point the finger to each other. A vicious cycle of wrong making, accusing, and sadly never any CHANGE.

What I want to point out here is not the REASON for this behavior. I want to point out is that it destroys EVERYTHING in the middle east. it causes wars, lack of (religious) tolerance and lots of interpersonal quarreling. People NEVER sort out personal issues: when things get too serious, they quit seeing/talking to each other.

Im thinking of setting up educational programs in Morocco to teach people to communicate effectively, freely, and taking away all the unproductive thinking paradigms. Anyone interested to comment on this? Please do, and especially if you like to contribute to this problem and/or want to contribute to my ideas.

Thanks!!

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