Troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan who are unsure how to respond to the local people can dip into a friendly guide to cultural appreciation devised by intelligence staff.

All the 12,300 troops deployed there have been given instruction in how to avoid giving offence to people with different customs and mores.

Now a complete guide to social interaction has been drawn up by the Ministry of Defence’s intelligence department, divided into three separate booklets on Afghanistan, Iraq and the Arab world. And they have been made public for the first time after a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

The guide, which is listed as “for official use only”, makes it clear that certain subjects are viewed as inappropriate topics. “Asking someone which ethnic group [in Afghanistan] they are from is regarded as impolite, and questioning another man about female members of his family is especially taboo,” it says.

There is also firm advice on how to react to offers of hospitality, which the Afghans regard as a key part of their cultural code. “A refusal to provide or accept hospitality is likely to cause serious offence, and in any social situation it is important not to refuse food, tea or gifts offered by Afghan hosts,” the guide says, although in the case of gifts “it is polite to refuse once or twice before accepting”.

The troops are told that it is not a good idea to accept an invitation to a private function “as this may give the impression of favouritism of one tribal/ethnic group over another as well as potentially leading to an expectation of return”.

The key to understanding the Afghans is to appreciate the value they place on honour, the guide says. “Honour for Afghans is sometimes described as being ‘more important than facts’, a phrase which implies a general tendency to exaggerate or tell a listener what they wish to hear, particularly if the consequences of not doing so would be a loss of honour.”

For troops in Iraq the importance of hospitality is also emphasised: “When offered second helpings at mealtimes, one should always accept. Tea and, especially, coffee, are also symbols of hospitality.”

However, in the guide to the Arab world, the Defence Intelligence Staff authors give warning that in Qatar it is considered impolite to accept more than three cups of tea or coffee.

As for alcohol, it is expressly forbidden by Islamic law although consumption in Iraq is legal. But, underlining the increasing influence of Islamic militancy, the guide on Iraq says that most alcohol sellers “have been forced to cease trading since 2003 under pressure from militant Islamic groups”.

In a general warning about anti-Western feelings the guide acknowledges that many Arabs “simply are unable to believe claims by Western politicians that they have no designs to control Middle Eastern oil supplies . . . or maintain a long-term military occupation of Iraq”.

It says: “Controversy over Iraqi development contracts, alleged incidents of prisoner abuse in that country at the hands of Western soldiers and the continued detention of suspects at Guantanamo Bay, among other issues, have fuelled a general feeling on the Arab street that the war on terror is, in fact, a war against Muslims in general.”

HOW TO AVOID CAUSING OFFENCE

. . . in the Arab world

Gesturing Western gestures to avoid include the thumbs-up sign and the OK sign, which is widely understood to signify the “evil eye”

Shaking hands It is considered disrespectful for a man to offer his hand to a woman unless she extends it first – and obviously women should never be kissed

Social interaction Between Arabs of the same sex there is essentially no such thing as acceptable personal space. Arab culture emphasises the need to “share the breath” of your companion

Conversations Men should always avoid questioning other men about women in their family

. . . in Afghanistan

Shaking hands Men must not shake hands or engage in any physical contact with women in public

Food and drink Food is usually served in communal dishes and is always eaten with the right hand

Sitting down Cross your legs rather than stretch out. Women should cover their legs, ankles and feet

Shoes Pointing the soles of your shoes towards someone else may cause offence

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