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Published: March 30th 2006
I've officially been here for more than two months, so I thought it would be appropriate to share with all of you a little bit of ex-pat humour. Here is a "You know you've been living in the Middle East too long when..." list. Now, since I understand and get a chuckle out of everything on the list, does that mean I've been living here too long? What am I going to think after a year?!
Here are a couple of notes before you go through the list:
- "Inshallah" means "God willing"--usually, this is used after someone promises you something...just so he/she has an out when nothing happens
- Napkins do not exist at restaurants; however, you can always find a nice restaurant branded Kleenex box
I'm sure a few of you will get a kick out of the list (namely, Cathy). Enjoy! For those of you who don't find it that funny, I also included some photos from our latest desert camp out. The next blog will be much more exciting...Hong Kong! Five of us are going there next weekend for 3 days...it's only 17 hours of flying for 2 1/2 days in Hong
Kong--totally worth it!
You know you have lived in the Middle East too long when….
You enjoy camping in the sand
You are not surprised to see a goat in the passenger seat
You serve coffee in a thimble
You expect confirmation on your airline reservation to be “inshallah”
You think everyone’s first name is “Al”
You need a sweater when it’s 80 degrees Fahrenheit
Your idea of housework is leaving a note for the houseboy
You understand “no problem” means follow up
You think skis were developed for use on sand dunes
You believe speed limits are only advisory
You expect to see tractors driving at 40 kmp on a super highway
You expect police to drive BMWs
You know whether you are within missile range of Iraq
You think black is appropriate day wear
You think it’s normal to play golf on the sand and putt on the brown
You refuse to go swimming in the Gulf unless the water is in the mid 90s F
You wear a jacket inside and take it off when you go outside
You think shopping malls are covered souqs
You expect your office to call you at home on
Fridays
You can judge a perfect “10” by the ankle
You think carpets belong on the wall
You know which end of the sharwma to unwrap first
You think the further you inch into the middle of the intersection the faster the light will turn green
You believe that the definition of “nanosecond’ is the time interval between the time the light turns green and the time that the guy behind you begins to blow his horn
You believe it’s normal to buy a car without first taking it for a test drive
You give directions by landmarks instead of road names
You think all gas stations are made of marble
You can receive every television station except the local station
You get used to using the cold water tap to get hot water during the summer
You think being liberated means sitting in the family section
You think a red light means run it
You can’t buy anything without asking for a discount
You have more carpets than floor space
You expect all stores to stay open till midnight
You make left turns from the far right lane
You think Pepsi begins with a “B”
You send friends a
map instead of your address
You think Kleenex belongs on the dinner table
You think the biggest event of the year is the camel races
You think water only comes in bottles
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Rob
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The Bro
Good list kiddo! Pick me up a cheap 61" Plasma big screen when you're in Hong Kong. They should be about $100 or so. Have fun!