Yemen: Public Behaviour

From ExecutivePlanet.com

Acceptable public conduct

As a warrior people, Yemenis prize courage above everything else; they value it much more highly than the other principal virtues of honesty, hospitality and humour. To call a Yemeni a liar will cause offence. To call him a brave liar may not.

All North Yemeni men are armed, even in the cities, with at least a jambieh and usually firearms as well. The jambieh is traditional but carrying firearms originated with the civil war. A person uncomfortable being surrounded by armed strangers should not go there because nervousness will be construed as cowardice and invite contempt. A jambieh is a Yemeni's prize possession, so much so that it is accepted as security for loans. Some are very valuable. The value is in the rhinoceros horn handle and the best quality can be worth up to £100,000! Do not, however, ask a man to show you his [unsheathe it] because Yemeni chivalry permits it only to be drawn for use.

Hospitality is important throughout the Middle East but in the Yemen it is an absolute requirement and must be accepted when offered. Even knocking on a man's door to ask directions requires him to offer you at least something to drink and for you to accept it.

Much has been written lately about westerners being kidnapped in tribal Yemen. The purpose is normally merely to embarrass the central government over some demand or dispute. All released hostages have praised the courtesy and hospitality of their treatment. The only casualties have been the result of crossfire when government forces tried to attack.

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