October 6, 2002

12:02 AM

Conflict resolution: Western and Islamic Mediation approaches.
posted by semmi (6 comments total)

Great link, semmi. I've read quite a bit about the Middle East in general and Lebanon in particular, so I was familiar with the Big Picture stuff, but there are plenty of enlightening details in there. "In the rural areas of Lebanon, if you do not talk, it means you are dull; the more you talk, the more it is assumed you know. People want to show that they know, especially those who go to town and come back to the village. They always talk." That says a lot, and not just about rural Lebanon.
posted by languagehat at 6:41 AM on October 6, 2002

Do you mean like Ford Prefect's dictum "Humans: When their mouths stop moving, their brains begin to work"?
posted by Grangousier at 7:04 AM on October 6, 2002

Very valuable post. I have already passed it on to a couple of people who really ought to know this stuff if they didn't already. Thanks.
posted by donfactor at 9:15 AM on October 6, 2002

Wow! That was fascinating. I hope that everyone will take the time to read the information, it certainly gave me a greater understanding.

Thanks much for the link. I'm passing it along.
posted by Plunge at 9:26 AM on October 6, 2002

Good article, but I couldn't stop thinking about all the corporate seminars I've had to take on conflict resolution and team-building:

Sharon: "Go ahead, Yasser, lean back and let yourself fall. I'll catch you!"

Arafat: "I...I...I can't Ariel! I'm just too scared!"

Sharon: "Trust me."
posted by MrBaliHai at 10:50 AM on October 6, 2002

Agree with everyone else, very interesting stuff. Thanks for the link!
posted by Slithy_Tove at 11:00 AM on October 6, 2002