Big Brother Running head: Big Brother

Bahrain Big Brother S. Curtis University of Phoenix June 11, 2007

Big Brother Bahrain Big Brother The Big Brother reality television series made its debut in the United States in July of 2000. With its beginnings in Europe, American airwaves were among the first to herald in programs of this nature (BBC, 2000). Both cultures probably paid more attention to voting

participants off rather than living quarters or the close proximity of males and females, but it was seen differently in Arabia. The MBC station of Bahrain, perhaps seeking ratings aired their own rendition of Big Brother, entitled, Al-Rais which is interpreted as the Boss (Kwintessential, 2007). In this case, MBC created poor intercultural communication with implications that can affect potential commerce in international trade. As the war looms between the United States and the Middle East, shows of this nature certainly do not work in favor of peace relations. Culture patterns along with communication roles portrayed on television will backfire unless they are interculturally sound in theory with Geert Hoefstedes masculinity femininity. Culture Patterns and Communication Roles The television show hails from countries where women and men intermingle freely in public as well as private quarters. On the contraire, Arabian countries are known for separating the sexes in addition to requiring women to wear head and body coverings. Though the article makes mention of the show airing in Australia, Russia, Turkey, and the UK (Kwintessential), it is from the US perspective that examination will be given since it aired the first show successfully. As is synonymous with the Big Brother television series, men and women reside in close contact quarters for a period of time. As far as how the US and the Middle East differ in cultural patterns as it relates to men and women relations, there is a vast difference that is evident with the intense media criticism accompanied by protests on the streets of Bahrain Kwintessential,

Big Brother 2007). Due to her American citizenship, the author of this paper speaks as a subject matter

expect about just how open the culture is in regards to female and male interaction. In the United States, there are co-ed college dormitories, and men and women live together as unmarried couples. In total contrast, MBC of Bahrain had to make quick changes before airing the third show when the producers decided to segregate the sleeping quarters of the male and female contestants. In addition, a prayer area, womens lounge and mixed-sex communal area were introduced to better accommodate Islamic principles (Kwintessential). Communication plays a key role in America in that it uses the tool of television to attract other cultures as well as share information. It is the same in the Arab world, with the exception of not having a worldwide audience like the US has. Telecommunication is used by both to portray everyday life, and in this case, MBC used it to reveal to their own culture what other cultures are doing. This illustration paints a picture that values are read and perceived differently in these respective countries. The Television and Intercultural Communication In this communication example, the television airwaves were the device used by both parties and was confirmed by the intercultural differences over the airwaves. Though the same programs may be watched from continent to continent, adaptations, additions, and alterations have to be made to suit viewers. MBC basically shot themselves in the foot by not making the changes in the first place and a result, failed to read the cross cultural signs (Kwintessential). Hoefstedes Intercultural Communication Theory The theory that most applies to the Big Brother/Al-Rais airing in Bahrain is the masculinity-femininity focus of Geert Hoefstedes five part cultural taxonomy (Lustig, 2006). Hofstede has created a masculinity index (MAS) to assess a cultures relative location along the

Big Brother masculinityfemininity dimension (Lustig). The Arab worlds masculinity index (MAS) stands at 15 versus the US 63 which translates the Middle East with a higher MAS. Coupled with the

scoring and what is typical of high MAS countries are that men should be assertive and women should be nurturing, and that men portray ostentatious manliness (Lustig). In relating to AlRais, clearly the men and women were not seen in their classical societal roles. Understanding this theory brings greater understanding to why the show stalled in popularity only after its second airing (Kwintessential). Also, understanding Hoefstedes uncertainty avoidance or how cultures adapt to change and cope with uncertainties (Lustig). As is commonly understood about Arab countries, there is a low tolerance for members of society who are seen to be disruptive or desirous of something different from the norm. They hold a moderate setting on the uncertainty avoidance index (UAI) which shows that there is some room to perhaps listen about change, but not to embrace it as a whole (Lustig). Resolution Approach to Solving Poor Intercultural Communication As far as poor intercultural communication is concerned, broadcasters should re-evaluate their decisions in terms of the culture climate of their land. Echoing Kwintessential, One can only wonder how the MBC producers failed to see the cross cultural implications of Al-Rais (2007). This opens up motive as an explanation since it is probably not the first time that they have been faced with a decision to air or not to air. It could be that there are those within the network who desire to influence the nation to other ways of life, to a different way of doing things. What the people of Bahrain endured was similar to culture shock which generally happens when a person or group of people has undesirable experiences with another culture (Lustig). Although a shock to the television audience, the adaptation process is an approach that

Big Brother would work well to resolve the poor example of intercultural communication sprung by MBC. Adaptation is the process by which people establish and maintain relatively stable, helpful, and mutually shared relationships with others upon relocating to an unfamiliar cultural setting (Young Yun Kim, 2002). Though not an issue of relocation, Arabs can experience adaptation over the airwaves. One way of doing this is with the introduction of integrative programs that

highlight intercultural themes. Only after proper education has gone forth, should programs such as Al-Rais hit the airwaves in Arabia.

Big Brother References BBC. (2000). Big Brother hits the US. Retrieved June 11, 2007, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/821775.stm Cross Cultural Awareness Big Brother in Arabia. (2007). Retrieved Sunday, June 10, 2007, from, http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cultural-services/articles/cross-culturalawareness.html Edward, T. (1999). Management Today. In Jim White (Ed.), Teaming with Talent. p. 56. Available from http://www.apollolibrary.com/LTT/download/TeamsintheWorkplace.pdf

Kim, Y. Y. (2001). Becoming Intercultural: An Integrative Theory of Communication and CrossCultural Adaptation. Available from Intercultural competence: Interpersonal communication across cultures (5th ed.) Boston: Pearson. Lustig, M. and Koester, J. (2006). Intercultural competence: Interpersonal communication across cultures (5th ed.) Boston: Pearson.