Syria Essay Example For Students

Syria Essay SyriaCultural History: The modern state of Syria was not established until 1946, after the Second World War, but it is a land, which has been inhabited since ancient times. Archaeologists have unearthed evidence of habitation dating back to about 5000B.C. and Damascus is probably the worlds oldest continuously inhabited city. Greater Syria, a land area incorporating Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and present-day Syria, was the site of much conflict and conquest throughout the days of the Ancient World. This conflict has continued throughout the Middle Ages and into modern times. The Egyptians, Babylonians, Hittites have successively ruled ancient Syria, Chaldeans and Persians. It became part of Alexander the Greats empire in 333B.C. when one Alexanders generals founded the city of Antioch as its capital. Struggles between the Seleucids and the Ptolemies of Egypt followed, until 64B.C. when Syria became a province of the Roman Empire. Following the decline and collapse of the Romans and the division of the empire in the 4th century A.D., Syria became a Byzantine province and remained so for almost two and a half centuries. Cultural Identity: Syrian Arab Republic Principal cities include DAMASCUS (the capital) and ALEPPO. Most Syrians are Arabic-speaking Muslims, mainly Sunnite with significant Alawite and Druse minorities; there are also Kurds, Armenians, and CrictinsAbout 10% of the People are Christian, mainly orthodox. Arabic is the official language. Power distance: Syrias government has a lot of power with in. Comparing to other countries Syria has no power because its considers poor society. There are two class systems, its either poor, or rich which would be working with the government. Syria does not have any kind of programs that would take care of the unweallthy family the only choice they have is to go to mosques and beg for food. Unemployment is very high and it keeps on going higher for the poor level. Other Arabic countries come to Syria during summer because its known to be very cheap. Values: Syrians mostly value their kids. They believe the better the parents take care of the kids the better they turn out and in return the kids have to take care of their parents when they get older. Thats the reason they have a lot of them. -Another thing they value is friendship. Arabic girls are not allowed to have a lot of friends because that gives her a bad reputation of knowing every body been every wear. The bad thing about that is, girls are suppose to be unknown to others except their husband they are like daemons if any body breaks them they can never be fixedGreeting and Leaving-takings: Marahaba or in a Muslim way al-salam el-aucom which means hi or hello. A person would most commonly greet others or, when a person enter a room to inform the others that he is coming for that reason the ladies needed to put on their scarfs on their head. In Syria when the guy greets a guy he shakes his hand and if he is very close to him he would kiss him once on ever cheek. When ladies greet each other they always kiss each other on the checks under any circumstances. When it comes to men greeting a woman or vise-versa they just shake hands unless they are relatives they greet with the kissing one the cheek. Politeness and expressing gratitude: Syrians are very open, nice and they like to start conversation about each others life, past, and present. They always like to hear your side of the story then they try to relate with it from their experience. Every time you mention something good they say mashalah which is good for you and of its bad they say wlyalaamty that means cussing the person who did wrong or them selfs if there is no Celebration and Holidays: Syrians mostly celebrate wedding at fancy hotels not Churches a day after the ceremony that takes place at the house. Ramadan (Dec 6) fasting for a month the teaches them o think of others when their hungry. Eid Al Fitr (8 Feb), 3 days thats when Muslim people celebrate eating again, and some try to go to mekeh in Saudi Arabia for omra so they can pray. Mothers day (march 21). Eid Al Adha (17 Apr), 4 days. This holiday relatives usually visit each other brings the family together. Islamic New Years Day (8 May) thats when the quran w as introduced to the Muslims. Only Muslims celebrate by going to the mosque. Prophets Birthday 17Jul. This is a holidaythat no one takes in concretion its not know because its against the Muslim religion to celebrate birthdays. Its only connected a holy day. Christmas (25 Dec) only Christmas celebrate it among them selves. Reaction Paper EssayTopic of conversation: American should avoid talking about business out side of business spatially to family members. Syrian men favorite topic is news and what happen In the world other then Syria because they are not allowed to talk about Syria or the government of Syria because that could get killed. Syrian women like to talk about fashion, food, and each others friends. For example did you hear what happened to soPoliteness: Americans are viewed to be as shy and dont like talking. Syrians dont say thank you and have a nice day they just stop at bye. Tipping and Service: there is tipping in Syria to the waiter who followed you around the whole time your have lunch or dinner. Approximately $1.00. and there are no taxes. In a restaurant customers dont leave right after the meal like they do in America, thats when they take time to talk about their day or any thing else. Table Matters : Syrians dont have any table matters to her then having lunch at 2:00 PM and dinner at 10:00 PM as a family. Complement: Americans should give their opinion on every thing they see and occasionally complement. Syria is use to travelers from all over the world so if you have any questions just ask there always would be some nice to give you an answer. Telephone and Electricity:Syria dose not have any pay phone, if some one wants to use the phone they would have to go into a liquor store. The electricity is 250 volts AC. Dont assume That men walking arm in arm or hand in hand are homosexual. In many Middle Eastern countries, men are much more physically affectionate with their male friends and relatives than men are in the WestDo be careful at security checkpoints when traveling inside Syria. Move slowly and obey the authoritiesDont expect your phone conversations to be private (the phones may be bugged) Do compliment Syrias strides in developmentDont point at people or use your hands to give direction, as to do so is rude. Also, be careful that the sole of your shoe doesnt show when youre sittingDo make appointments and be on time, but dont be offended by a lack of punctuality by others. Also, dont be offended if the person youre meeting for business conducts other business during your appointmentDont show irritation when everythi ng stops five times a day for prayersDo shake hands and say marha-bah,A.H Hourani . (1954). Syria and Lebanon, Oxferd University pressTabitha Petran . (1972). Syria. Praeger Publishers IncVolney, G. F. C. (1987), Travel through Syria and Egypt, 2 vol., London press Malcolm B. Russell M. Islamica B, (1985), The first modern Arab state, Cambridge University Presshttp://arab.net/syria/history/sy_ancient.htmlhttp://msn.directhit.com/fcgi-bin/DirectHitMSNa.fcg?fmt=htmlqry=Syria+Governmentattrib=1http://home.msen.com/burnett/96syria.htmBibliography: