Cultural Observation: Negotiations are done loudly and with great expression until finally a coin is tossed to determine a winner.
My students have begun working on group projects this afternoon. I have given them a rare period to begin working. One of the tasks is to determine a country to focus on, but no group may have the same country. Of course, two groups wanted the same country.
Student A asks around for what countries everyone is doing. Group 1 says Yemen. Group 4 also wants Yemen (Student A’s group). Arabic begins flying from group to group. Here is my translation/interpretation of what went round:
Argument 1: Group 1 has four students while Group 4 has only two present. [rationale by majority]
Argument denied.
Argument 2: Group 1 tells Teacher which country they are doing. Teacher says Sure. It’s now decided.
Argument refuted that Student A had been asking other groups, so in essence she should get a say first on which country and that asking Teacher doesn’t count.
Argument 3: We’ve already started researching about the country.
Argument refuted – so have we “See” (showing computer screen)
Argument 4: Shout over the top of the others and the loudest person wins.
Argument void as both groups shout.
Meanwhile I am laughing… I laugh more when I see the 1 dirham coin come out and Student A gets up to flip. Flip. Student A makes a noise, face and laughter ensues. She has lost.
Result Group 1 wins Yemen. Lesson learned? Majority does win and the louder the better!
Ah… entertainment at its finest. You can’t get this on television, I tell ya’!
Until next time…
-T
