Cultural Considerations:
* Emphasis on Respect: In some cultures, including Iraqi culture, directness can be perceived as rude. Repetition might be a way to emphasize the importance of a point and ensure it's fully understood before moving on.
* Importance of Context: Iraqi culture places high value on context and understanding the nuances of a situation. Repetition might be a way to ensure the other party truly grasps the context and implications of the initial point.
* Building Trust: Repetition, particularly in a formal setting, can be a way to establish trust and rapport. It shows the counterpart is dedicated to ensuring mutual understanding.
Communication Styles:
* Desire for Clarity: Repetition might be a way for the counterpart to ensure complete clarity on the point at hand before moving on.
* Hesitation to Move On: The counterpart might be uncomfortable moving to the next topic without fully exhausting the previous one, potentially due to a lack of confidence in the next step.
Possible Underlying Issues:
* Disagreement: The repetition could be a subtle way of disagreeing with your perspective or expressing resistance to moving on.
* Anxiety or Stress: The counterpart might be feeling anxious or stressed, leading to repetitive behavior.
* Lack of Confidence: The repetition could indicate a lack of confidence in the counterpart's ability to move on to the next topic.
It's Important to:
* Remain Patient and Respectful: Don't interrupt or become frustrated. Show understanding and acknowledge their perspective.
* Be Assertive but Tactful: Gently guide the conversation towards the next topic. You could try phrases like, "I understand your point. Let's now move on to discuss..."
* Observe Body Language: Pay attention to their body language to see if there are any non-verbal cues that might provide further insight.
* Seek Clarification: If you're unsure of their intentions, politely ask for clarification.
Remember, understanding cultural differences and communication styles is crucial to effective cross-cultural communication.