We Lebanese people live in a world of our own.
We say “bye” 20 times before hanging up the phone
Because it’s rude to say bye once I suppose?
Getting a visa calls for a celebration
People will call you to congratulate you and a party is planned.
Ending a visit by finishing the conversation at the front door FOR HOURS
At least close the door because that’s how all the bugs get inside the house!
Clap when the plane lands
The plane receives a thundering ovation every time it lands.
Family dinners last for hours
Lebanese people are extra and our dinners last forever! We take breaks between meal courses.
We overdress everywhere
Because the world is our runway.
We turn everything into a joke
This is our coping mechanism. We can’t survive unless we joke about everything that bothers us.
We abbreviate all the words
Way long before social media and texting existed!
McDonald’s = Macdo
Achrafieh = Ach
Marm = Mar Mikhael
Some people take out loans to organize extravagant weddings
This is a wake-up call: if you can’t afford an expensive wedding, just don’t get one. Drowning in debt is the last thing you want.
We rely on wasta more than Linkedin
That speaks volume. It is so much easier to get things done or get a job when you have connections. This has to change.
We have the weirdest sayings ever
Lebanese expressions make absolutely no sense when directly translated into English!
3ayesh bel khasse = he’s is living in a lettuce. This expression is said of someone who has no idea what’s going on.
We tell weird lies to children
“If you keep misbehaving, Abou Kis will take you away.” I don’t know about you, but I’m calling child services.
We say “men chouf” or “nchallah” instead of “no”
We’re mysterious people.
We receive the weirdest good morning texts
WHO MAKES THESE PICTURES?
Lebanese parents will make you wear a jacket even if it’s hot as hell
This is how they show that they care about you.