If the Lebanese are good at one thing, it’s their ability to make a harsh situation funny and make you laugh along, even when it surges from pain and bitterness.
A survivors’ trait, it has been said, and, sure do, the Lebanese people have it remarkably (no kidding!), for as long as this nation of survivors remembers.
2019 was tough and 2020, so far, hasn’t been easy on anyone in Lebanon.
A sinking economy, a capital control holding people’s money hostage, a revolution which demands still reverberate unheeded, a coronavirus locking us in and down, and the crises that keep compounding unresolved.
Our only “therapy” against all this mess? Joking about it until a miracle materializes. So, here’s what the Lebanese have been up to with their self-imposed therapy:
#1 Worthless Lira
Tough competition, indeed, if you are the Lira facing the Dollar these days. From 1 USD at 1,500 LBP to hitting 10,000 LBP, don’t kid yourself, you’re not standing a chance!
#2 Gone baby, gone…
The president once said that whoever doesn’t like the government to leave.
So the dollar said, “Okay.”
It’s gone also from the banks:
#3 Israeli Forces Attacks
Translation: Guys please don’t start a war because you’ll be giving George Khabbaz new theater content
#4 Because living without electricity is not enough, here comes the heatwave
#5 Social distancing, sure, but…
#6 Adapting culturally to COVID-19
A Lebanese mom’s cure for any illness is Yansoun (Anis Tea), so what did you expect when a deadly virus emerged? Yansoun, Yansoun, and more Yansoun!
#7 Lebanese Revolution’s Phases
This guy can’t wait for his kids to play the Lebanese Revolution’s phases in the Call of Duty’s video game… 20 years from now. Let’s hope the revolution doesn’t take this long, whatever the number of phases it would need.
The October Revolution was such a great time for the people, adding that their dark humor spiced it up with hilarious jokes.
From funny sarcasm targetting politicians and the revolutionaries, the Lebanese didn’t leave anything out.
#8 La La La
A recent online concert, honoring the Lebanese Army, crazed Lebanese social media. During a song, the choir cut off a revolutionary verse and replaced it with “La La La”.
This substitution angered the people of the revolution who reacted by sharing the correct verse on social media to stand up for their anger.
#9 The Lebanese Passport … in the “undesirable” section
Same as for the currency, it is safe to say our passports plummeted. And, of course, we had to make a joke out of it.
We tend to joke about these heart-wrenching situations so that it’ll be an easier pill to swallow.
#10 When the Lebanese felt with the American protesters
They did so by offering guidance and tips from their experiences but also using their own therapy: joking in comparison.
#11 Lebanese University students forced to sit their exams during pandemic
They campaigned against it, calling it “Death Exams” but that didn’t stop the jokes from going around.
Translation: News from WHO: Coronavirus doesn’t affect the students of the Lebanese University.
This year has been globally hard to survive, each country is facing difficulties on its own. But, Lebanon is undergoing harder life situations and you can only imagine how the Lebanese are coping.
These jokes make us forget about our dire situation, even if for a second, and make us feel better about ourselves.
Lebanon certainly isn’t a boring country; each day you’ll have exciting news- good or bad. And, you’ll have the funniest people replacing a bad situation with some witty dark humor!
