God knows how many times i have started new posts but ended up keeping them in the draft folder instead. In order to post a blog entry, i have to be REALLY feeling what i want to jot down, & so if im REALLY serious about an issue, it’s the best time to update, & if am REALLY in a “sakhafa” mood, excuse the silly updates 
.. I’ve never really kept a dairy for more than a couple of days since my childhood, but a blog is something i have been keeping since 2001, since Microsoft Front Page & Dynamic Drive were the coolest things around …. I’ve always kept it, even if it ended up lifeless for months..
I cannot let go of it, its an important part of me…..
There are so many topics I’ve been wanting to discuss in here, some of which may be too sensitive.. but I am waiting for the right time…
by the way. May i complain?
Honestly speaking, the culture here irritates me sometimes, a lot of times it becomes such a heavy burden, meaningless protocols that irritate the hell out of me… i like to have the freedom of choosing how to do things, & when , i truly despise the idea of someone forcing me into doing a certain thing, with the most annoying reason in the world, which is “that’s how everyone does it around here!” if you want my demons to rise, just say this line to my face! i honestly don’t care how other people do their thing, this may be rebellious and a rude thing to say about ones own culture, but commmmon, lets face it, culture is man-made, which means yes, it has lots of lovely things, yet so many illogical expectations! and that , i cannot bare .. i never really understood why i have to do things the typical way, whether its dressing or talking or even the mere act of liking or disliking a thing.
I am not criticizing the Emarati culture, i am referring to culture in general, where you are expected to act a certain way because that’s how everyone else does it in your area…
I prefer sticking to Religion & it’s practices, i am 100% willing to follow Islam, but the Arabic culture in general, i’m not sure it wins me completely. Don’t get me wrong, i believe the Arabic culture contains thousands of beautiful aspects,t’s one of the most beautiful cultures in the world, it’s warm, it’s friendly, it’s family engaged, it gives without expecting anything in return, its actually based on generosity, whether you’re Shami, an African Arab or a Khaleeji, those norms are simply there ….
but here’s what i don’t like, cultural, habitual or maybe just a life style matter …
- i don’t like the fact that everyone thinks that he/she has the right to tell you what to do, or let me put it this way, sometimes people around here think you really care about what THEY think, & that their opinion actually matters, dudes, seriously? i mean seriously!
- i cannot stand women gatherings, i guess this applies to women in every culture, i just don’t understand whats enjoyable about sitting with a bunch of ladies TALKING
- i don’t like how men’s mistakes are always ignored, & they always have the famous supporting phrases:
“when he marrys, he’ll change”
or “change him after you marry him!”
or even worse ” Rayal, may3eeba shay” as in nothing really stains a man’s reputation! puhhleaaaaaze
- i HAAATE the curiousity, i cannot understand why someone wants to know every single detail in another person’s life, whether its a family member, friend, or a complete stranger, people, you like to have your privacy, so don’t invade others’ privacy!
- i literally suffer from mental asthma attacks due to the fact that a lot of typical people around here believe that more is always better (yeah its possible to have such attacks) .. a pinch of makeup? why use a pinch? use some three or four tons, Geee, don’t be “ga7a6″ or “cheap”… plain abaya? seriously? are you going to a funeral? Geeee add some strokes of colors and crystals “vomits” … pastel colors? Pastel?! *waves to Reem* whyyyy girl, are you depressed? wear fuchsia, vibrant RED! how’s anyone gunna notice you with such colors, add more HUE! i think its not only about MORE around here, its also about SIZE
- i don’t like how people almost hate you if you haven’t told them about a specific situation, indecent, happy or sad, new or 10 years old, that you’ve witnessed or lived, you’ll see the biggest shock on their faces, like you’ve betrayed them, so many things happen to us, are we really supposed to talk about every single thing we went through with every human being who claims he cares about you?
- it kills a trillion cell in my brain when someone uses this sentence “don’t do this! what will people THINK” …….
i can go on and on .. but i think ill stop, because, well, i think people reading this post will start to think i prefer living alone, no human beings around, actually, it is true, i like being alone
People, please , live & let live, you have your way, & others have their own, so be it!
alwaslgirl, you’re sweet gestures are always SWEET! homemade chocolate chip coockies IN A JAR! this is a very smart way to win my heart for ever & ever
cool find, it’s Meeeee Mario
the apple of my eyes
her artwork, on the arm rest, in mums car! imagine the terror of my poor mother lol
before i go,
I’d like to know, what irritates you about your culture?
(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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You know I generally prefer to keep my mum when it comes to listing down the not-so-good-things about my culture. But girl, you got my mind thinking and so here it is;
1. I simply despise, loathe, hate the fact that even when I grew up It was okay for my brother to date, stay out late, go to another state for a holiday, well basically do whatever he likes and here are the 2 explanations my mom would give me ”He is a boy you see, nobdoy would ask what he does or has done” or ”He is going to get married anyway, but you cannot do such things because you are a GIRL”. (like my sole purpose of life is to get married)
2. In my city particulary people take great offense when they are delightfully backbiting about somebody and you don’t put your input. They feel as if you have betrayed them forgetting that its a sin.
3. They give more preference to culture more than the religion and when somebody is trying to adhere to the proper teachings of the religion these people are called pakodas (well its actually the name of a snack and is used in a negative context)
4. Hyprocrisy is the most common thing and I hate hate and hate ”What they will THINK” lines!!
Wow. I rant too much. Great post! I Loved the brain asthma attack dearly!
Tine, i agree with what you said, never keep in mind that you will change your partner, either accept him/her the way they are or look for someone else!..
btw i’ve been trying to post a comment onto your blog but it’s not allowing me to
AWG, i miss complaining with you girl!! lol don’t worry, we’ll raise our kids with the minimum contradictions enshallah =)
Mimi, you remind me of a lot of friends and family who are facing the same situation. its almost impossible to find a place with no men around these days! parents fear for us girls, but you must show them your strong enough on your own as well, & can deal with men respectfully .. btw tra teaching is nice, if you have a mission =) thanks for showing up
DoubleClick, LOL girl ’9a7aktini! what a title!!… it is with people like you and those commenting that these ideas will take a better turn, a more logical turn enshallah
Culture … Mental Asthma Attacks By Dxb Girl … I can already see this book on my shelf … I agree with every single word u posted … It’s about time someone started raising those issues … It’s about time for a cultural revolution … a societal reeducation! Culture is a good thing … It gives it’s people an identity … but it sucks when it speaks nonsense … when it takes away your God-given rights!
XO
I agree with you 100% but what mostly annoys me is the saying “because he’s a boy”, come on what is this 1950? I just graduated college and whenever I say that I wanna work somewhere, my mother says that it’s coed and that I’d be better off working as a teacher. Thank god I can’t be a teacher unless I study education which I’m not going to do. As if teaching is the only thing a girl can do. I can find a non coed job or at least mostly female jobs somewhere other than an educational institute.
sorry I got carried away, the boredom is killing me. I love your blog.
awww :$ glad u liked them.
The most thing I hate about some belives in our culture that they force certin things that everyone do and we are suppose to be going through the same pattern.Personally main thing ALLAH is pleased + then am pleased with what I do.
alooosh LOL artissst ma 79lat ela el syra :p
This is also present in Filipino culture.
“- i don’t like how men’s mistakes are always ignored, & they always have the famous supporting phrases:
“when he marrys, he’ll change”
or “change him after you marry him!”
I guess guys are born to be like that. I have read one article that says, if you’re thinking you can change your man… think again. Because guys will not change just for you. Either you have a serious thought if you can live for the rest of your life what his attitude or leave.
That’s what sucks to culture. You are bound to follow rules even though you will not actually benefit from it.
Roudha.. ehm, i prefer “khalif to3raf” but in the good sense of it
lol & the Emarati culture is lovely no doubt =) but there are always buts 
Na3oom.. lol this actually reminds me of the incident i told u about
see u enshalla =)
i truely enjoyed it hahaha.. u know wat exactly i liked..
“i don’t like how people almost hate you if you haven’t told them about a specific situation, indecent, happy or sad, new or 10 years old, that you’ve witnessed or lived, you’ll see the biggest shock on their faces, like you’ve betrayed them..”
wallah soo right ^L^
enjoy cuz <3
MY FAV Entry!!
Totally Agree Dude
but still .. i love the Emarati culture the way it is with its Many goods and lil bads , every unspoken rule is for the good of everyone.. supposedly :p