Commentary: Drinking chai: secret weapon in war on terror? Published June 26, 2008 By Maj. Brett Mers Coalition Air Force Training Team SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Drinking chai, a type of tea common in the Middle East, can be an enjoyable way to spend some time - that is, if you like chai. But as a communicative tool and metaphor, it can also help bridge the culture gap and discern critical meaning required for support of U.S. objectives in Iraq. After all, drinking chai plays a substantial role as a social catalyst in Iraq - it's where most business starts. In the war on terror, there is no contest in any of the classic categories of warfare such as weaponry, organization, communication and maneuver. The only contest is in information, and gathering and understanding information flow in the Iraqi culture is relevant to all aspects of the conflict. In order to make the most of our interactions with our Iraqi partners, it is essential to understand that there are major differences in the way we communicate. Most U.S. military discussions regarding Iraq - and most other subjects for that matter - are conducted with terms like plans, processes and organizational structures. When Americans approach a problem, we do so in "no-nonsense" terms. We identify the issue. We identify possible solutions. We prioritize those solutions based on a number of factors. We select the best option and then we put it into operation. "Let's get down to it." "Cut to the chase." "Get to the point." "What's the real issue?" These are all phrases that Americans commonly use. They are very culture-specific terms, and the responses they engender are very culture specific as well. Deployed American servicemembers must be constantly aware of the tendency to "mirror-image," that is to project your own assumptions, reactions and conclusions regarding a particular matter to another person, particularly one of another culture. The point isn't that plans, processes and procedures are not important. The point is that plans, processes and procedures are not ends in themselves. They are means to further ends and for those same ends to be accomplished in the Iraqi culture, the means must be adjusted and translated accordingly. There are several key differences that can be applied in varying degrees to specific individuals and situations. A primary difference between Western culture and Iraqi culture is the amount of significant context that accompanies communication, according to research on Arab communication patterns by Dr. R.S. Zaharna of American University. Western communication is low-context. It tends to be specific, explicit and analytical. It is more rule-oriented and interpersonal relationships can be short-lived. In high-context cultures such as Iraq, communication is embedded more in the context rather than words. Face-to-face communication is emphasized, interpersonal relationships are essential to getting things done, non-verbal body language carries more significance and less is verbally explicit or formally expressed. The listener must understand the contextual cues in order to grasp the full meaning of the message. Other distinctions of Arabic communication include more frequent use and acceptance of repetition and exaggeration, according to Dr. Zaharna. While Western speakers tend to keep their communication simple and concise, it is not uncommon to find a string of descriptive phrases or words all referring to one phenomenon. Additionally, a distinct cultural preference exists regarding the acceptable amount one may stress an event or feeling. What Arabs discern as mere statements of fact might seem like bold exaggerations to Americans. The communication distinctions between Iraqis and Americans serve to make the gulf between the West and the Arab worlds large and imposing, but definitely not insurmountable. The key to bridging the gap is to understand it, and one of the keys to that understanding is a mindset that continues to observe and learn about the differences between our cultures. In a conflict that turns on information, such understanding is indispensable. Remember, don't rush through the chai to get to work...drinking the chai is the work.