What is the difference between China and Saudi Arabia?

Very silly.  Sent from a Saudi friend.  


In China this is how they stand…

In Saudi this is how they stand

Arabic Make-up [mac-kee-arge]

This round robin is entitled,
'Now I know why they Mention on the Wedding Invitation, No Children Allowed'
In addition to it being a bit over the top with the photoshop, it's difficult to imagine anyone not being invited to an Arabic Wedding (esp. children).

It's the lip liner I find most strange.

ماسألتم أ نفسكم في يوم من الأيام لماذا يكتبون في بطاقات دعوات الزواج
ممنوع اصطحاب الاطفال؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟
انا بصراحه الآن عرفت السبب انزل تحت وبتعرف السبب

هي حلوة شوي نص مصيبة

 

يع يع يع

يعني ما بيكفي علبة الألوان اللي زارعتها في عيونها

Why is the Weather so hot?

This was recently sent this from a friend in Yemen; is the weather hot and humid because of the weather reporter?


مهم جداً ............ قارن بين المنطقة العربية و الاجنبية


جوه تجيب المطر وكل الخير والبركة على البلاد والعباد وتخليك تتابع نشرة الاحوال الجوية ؟؟؟

لهذه ألأسباب موجود خير وبركه بوجوههم

وشوف تحت الوجه ببلادنا مقدمين النشره

ووجوه تجيب الغبار؟ والرطوبه؟ والسخونة ؟ وانفلونزا الحمير؟؟؟

Mr Smooth

Meet Gulzar, the infamous traffic attendant at Bahrain City Centre. Previously a member of the Pakistani army, he now directs traffic with a, 'Gulzar Bow' and a smile:




Update: 18th January, 2010
Having just returned from visiting Japan and China, Gulzar's bows now seem a wee bit tame. We saw various policemen and women, at many of the large junctions, carrying out what could only be described as a, 'dance form' whilst directing the traffic.

Changes: Some Positive, Some Negative

I feel quite positive about many of the changes which are occuring in the Gulf right now.

Image taken from:  http://www.islammonitor.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1355&Itemid=63  


Having said that, as westerners we often expect change to happen fast, although that's something that's open to interpretation. Women were banned from voting in Switzerland until 1971 (and in the area of, 'Appenzell Inner Rhoden' until 1991), whilst the last witch trial was held in England in 1944. Helen Duncan was convicted and served nine months in jail.

But I digress. If we accept changes occur in the Middle East at a Middle Eastern pace, because it is the Middle East, then things are moving very quickly indeed.

Two years ago Saudi newspapers were noticable empty of women; not a single woman would be pictured, ever. It was as if only one sex existed. Last week I counted 10 photos of women in the Friday newspaper, with one of those photos covering half a page, in full colour, with the woman's arms and head hair on display. In local terms that is F1 speed.


Some Positive
So, why all the positivity? Last week it was announced

1.
Kuwaiti women would no longer need a Mahram {see wgaw blog archive: divorce}, which leaves just Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan {see wgaw blog archive: rape} the only places in the world in which a woman is legally not allowed to leave the house without a male escort.

2.
Mixed education can now take place, up to the age of 9, in private schools in Saudi Arabia. See this article


Some Negative
However, on the negative side, the Sudanese fundie group, 'al shabab' [al sha-bab] (the boys) announced this week in addition to women being banned from wearing trousers, they could no longer wear bras. It seems they check if a bra is being worn by forcing the women to shake her breasts.

I shouldn't joke, in general sarcasm is not used or understood in the Gulf, but what article of clothing is next I wonder?

Image taken from:  http://www.aussiemuslims.com/forums/showthread.php?p=376468

So you Want to Speak Arabic Like a Native?

Sent to me by a Saudi male friend who thought it hillarious, one American's thoughts on some often used Arabic phrases.  There's some swearing in one or two of the sketches and some cross-cultural teasing in others ...

Something for the Weekend Sir?

Appologies to anyone who finds nudity an issue, but this is too good to hide away in the cupboard; a Kuwaitia gets more than she bargins for ....  Again sent by a friend in Saudi.

Zaar Dancing in Mecca

Getting rid of devils through dance:

Saudi Dance

Here's a video of the song, 'Smooth Criminal' by Micheal Jackson, with Saudi style traditional dancing :-)

hijabs

I never know if these pictures are real or 'set ups'.  Maybe you can decide?

Hand Gestures

It seems Arabs tend to use their hands extensively when they communicate. Some of the emotions indicated by these hand movements are listed below:

Beautiful
The end of your thumb and the end of your first finger touch and make a circle. The other three fingers are held out straight. The hand is then moved towards the head from the elbow.

Calm down, be patient, slower
Hold your right hand out, palm facing upwards. Bring your thumb and the tips of your fingers together, so they are above your palm, then move your hand up and down.

Come here
Hold your right hand out with your palm facing down, then move your fingers back and forth.

Give it to me
Hold your right hand out palm upwards, then close your hand halfway.

Go away
Hold your right hand out palm downwards, and move your fingers as if brushing something away from you.

Greeting someone with respect or sincerity
After shaking hands, place your right hand over your heart or chest. In addition you may kiss their forehead.

No never
Hold your right forefinger up and move it quickly from left to right several times (like a windscreen wiper).

Quieten down
Holding your right hand out, palm downwards and move it up and down slowly.

Why? What?
Holding your right hand out palm downwards, then quickly twist your hand to show your palm. forefingers point forward, whilst fingers 2, 3 and 4 should be slightly bent.

Ugliness
Hold your palm upwards and open all your fingers. Now turn your hand clockwise and then back anti-clockwise. The thumb should be slightly bent and sitting over the palm.

Very good, I’m winning
Make a fist with your right hand, whilst keeping your thumb extended upwards.



Holding Hands in Public
Arab men do hold hands with each other in public, whereas women in general don't. Occasionally you’ll see an Arab couple (man and woman) walking in the street and holding hands, but it is only occasionally. Public displays of affection are definately frowned upon and should be kept for the home.


Urban Legend
One of my students was shocked when I told him English men never held hands with each other. “But why ever not?” he asked.
I explained it would be considered un-masculine, but he wasn’t convinced,
“But what, even if they only hold hands for a minute?”
“Definitively not.” I replied.
“Umm” and then he thought some.
“But why? What are they doing wrong? They’re just being friends, that’s what friends do.”

Shaking Hands

photo taken from: www.flickr.com/photos/wazari/2709020340/

In general, and as an alternative to western norms, Arabs prefer a gentle handshake rather than a firm grip. The reason being it is thought that firm grip suggests unnecessary aggressiveness.

Once inside the room you should shake hands with the most senior person first who will usually, but not always, be the host. You should then work your way around the room, shaking hands and kissing each person before sitting down and joining in the conversation. I’ve read you should move around the room in an anti-clockwise direction, but I never remember which way to go round a room and am presuming it doesn't matter that much.


Urban Legends
1
Some Arabs, both male and female, will never shake the hands of an unrelated member of the opposite sex. As a woman I overcome this by waiting for the man to offer his hand to be shaken. However, sometimes I forget and hold out my hand and find it refused. I'm not particularly keen on standing in public with my arm out-stretched, hand open in mid air, waiting for a hand which is not forthcoming. It's not particularly inspiring or amusing, but I do find it less embarrassing than I used to, however it still has the capacity to make me feel quite uncomfortable.



Photo taken from: AP Photo/Amr Nabil, as shown on: alphabetcity.blogspot.com/2007_04_01_archive.html


2
When I once asked an Arab business woman why she wouldn’t shake hands with men, or why ladies wore a black glove on their right hand when they knew they were going to shake hands, her reply was,
"Well, if I were to let a man shake my hands he could easily tickle my palm, or hold it for just that bit too long. And I know he would want sex.”

She continued,
“I do shake hands with members of the opposite sex because of my work. I know Europeans would find it very rude if I didn’t shake their hands, but if I can get away with not doing it, I will.”

When I contemplated out loud I’d never thought of shaking hands in that way before she replied, “Well now you have thought about it, you’ll always have it in your mind a man can indicate how he feels about you through shaking your hand.” ~I'm still not convinced!~

3
I was out with my husband and a very close friend of his. The friend was talking about his problems and the difficulties he was currently facing. Instintively I put out my hand to touch his and was surprised to feel him pull it away quickly. Not only did he pull his hand away, he pulled his entire body away too.

It took me several seconds to realise we'd approached what I had done from completely different viewpoints: I’d reached out to him and attempted to pat him on the hand saying, “It’ll be all right” and he’d reacted as entirely appropriately; there was no way he should, in any circumstances, be touching any body part which belonged to his friend’s wife.

4
A western friend told me this story,“I remember before we got married my husband and I had male acquaintances who we would chat with. However, when we got married some of them started to shake hands with my husband and completely ignore me. I asked my husband why this was happening and he explained they were showing respect for him by ignoring me!”