Here is my confusion with Arabic culture - can someone help?

[Mina]

Okay, I have been working with Arabs (mostly men) for years and although I have found them all to be very polite, there is a facet common to the way they all act which I cannot understand. I find that they say things that are very exaggerated, and I don't really know how much of this to take seriously. Let me give some examples. I once told a sort of sad story to an arab colleague and I saw him two days later and he said, "I cannot stop thinking about that story, I am sick for two days over this!" Is that what he means? How could he possibly be sick for two days over a story told at dinner? Or was he exaggerating? Was this out of politeness? Sometimes I feel that what they say is so exaggerated that it is actually mocking me. The other day I met another and he told me to pass by his office. I know that he said that out of politeness, so I just said thank you and declined. But he continued and insisted that I agree to come to his office, he wanted to know which day I would be there. So was he continuing out of exaggerated politeness or does he really want me to come to his office for some reason. I have worked and travelled all over the world, and I find that it is very difficult for me to understand Arabs! Like one who I work with who lives in Dubai, always talking and complaining about how much he hates it there, but he is actually very happy and successful there, so is he mocking himself? me? Is this humor? I am sorry if I am not totally clear, but I just find there is a very ironic side to way they speak - or is this just politeness to the extreme? Someone please explain!