quote:Originally posted by ?????: Of course there is a reason, this board is not offering they should like to get, and what they should like to get is different and personally. I'm also wondering why I login again, because most of the time, it doesn't make me any wiser. It's not amusing, at least most of the time it isn't, it is not educating, it is not interesting, so what are we doing here anyway??? Perhaps I'm not the only one who is placing questionmarks by our own behaviour. It's good, it makes us aware...
??????? there was a time when ES was very educational. When both Egyptians and Expats with knoweledge of Egypt would come in and discuss it's culture, politics, economy, social issues etc.
But as I said before, most people on ES now are not really interested in learning about Egypt.
Posts: 4446 | From: Egyptian in Sydney | Registered: Mar 2005
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quote:Originally posted by ?????: Of course there is a reason, this board is not offering they should like to get, and what they should like to get is different and personally. I'm also wondering why I login again, because most of the time, it doesn't make me any wiser. It's not amusing, at least most of the time it isn't, it is not educating, it is not interesting, so what are we doing here anyway??? Perhaps I'm not the only one who is placing questionmarks by our own behaviour. It's good, it makes us aware...
??????? there was a time when ES was very educational. When both Egyptians and Expats with knoweledge of Egypt would come in and discuss it's culture, politics, economy, social issues etc.
But as I said before, most people on ES now are not really interested in learning about Egypt.
Yeah, and as long as the male part from your country seems to be able to get a woman that crazy turning her life 180 degrees because of a holiday-romance, you shouldn't expect to much indepth. The women seem to be traveling seducing tramps, so how would you conversate a certain level with them? Most likely all they can do is moar, and let out high squeals. In fact all you have to do is take the level of intellengence from a country. Mostly 75% will be be average and below average, the level of sheep following the opinion that they hear all day.. So, what's there to discuss? ( Just joking, don't take them all for the same)
Posts: 7202 | From: EU | Registered: Nov 2006
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quote:Originally posted by * 7ayat *: Smuckers, I'm not offended Im FRUSTRATED that people still don't undersand that I'm not objecting about the negatives about Egypt, I'm objecting about the way they are said. Besides having lived in Egypt for 25 years I have seen so many expats who on a daily basis would insult Egypt infront of the Egyptians and see absoloutly nothing wrong with that.
You're projecting your prejudices and you're stereotyping. The usernames that expressed their frustration are NOT the people you've met who offended you so stop lumping all expats into one basket.
My point was that when you lived in Egypt, you were more likely to discuss your country's problems. All you're doing now is jumping and yelling and HOW-DARE-YOU-ING anyone you ASSUME is criticizing your country's problems in a way that doesn't rub you the wrong way.
Venting just that. It's not a discussion. If you want to hear a discussion about Egypt's problems, read the thread about women being harassed on the streets.
There are far more positive "what I miss about Egypt" threads from love-sicks western wives than venting threads about the reality of everyday life in Egypt. Nobody jumps on the the people who are nostalgic about Egypt and reminds them of all the negatives of daily lives...yet you feel it's your right do jump on the people who need to use this forum as an outlet.
Maybe if you let people vent here, it'll allow them to grin and bear it with a smile in front of their egyptian friends, colleagues and loved ones!
Oh, and I've had plenty of egyptians ask me about which city I'd lived in...then without any encouragement rant about how much they HATE where I'm from and why. Rude people are everywhere.
PS. and I agree with another poster that the golden rule is to think of it as one criticizes one's own family but gets offended if your friend does the same....most egyptians do criticize egypt but get offended when foreigners do so.
This post brings back old memories of the gang of bitches. Whatever happened to the rest of the gang anyway? Posts: 3246 | From: Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt | Registered: Mar 2001
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quote:Originally posted by With a name like Smuckers: Well I guess this thread really got off topic.
Really! You just noticed?
It didn't go off topic when you this was posted:
"You're a dumb twat with a pole up her ass, you fight with everyone that doesn't post what you want to read, then you respond with ad hominem attacks, projection and straw man arguments, i.e. you're full of shït."
or his:
I bet anything you haven't been ƒucked silly in years
How about all the crap about "rogering", whatever the **** that meant. It didn't go off topic then either?
Posts: 35 | From: Rising From The Ashes | Registered: Jul 2007
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quote:Originally posted by sothefccwon'tletmebeorletmebeme:
quote:Originally posted by Egypt_TaeKwonDo:
quote:Originally posted by Sic Luceat Lux:
9) I love the fact that America as a nation takes a proactive role in the World as the lone superpower. It's a nasty job but someone has to do it.
go UsA!
Why did you edit your reply? I liked the first one better.
Because i dont want people to argue with me over the internet over something they all know its true
Posts: 506 | From: Some where on the east coast | Registered: Jan 2008
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Exiled (formerly Dunes) isn't an Egyptian, 7ayat. Even I know he was born in America. I'm surprised you don't.
Not everybody keeps files on members
I agree, 'Old Creepy Drawers'. Some of us have things called 'memories' that haven't been fried by too much dope. What a hypocritical little armchair warrior you are. YOU hack accounts, grope around for 'Flap Pics' and take cowardly snipes from numerous stupid names. You have more files than the FBI, so shut your miserable pie hole, please.
Never once have I seen you present an intelligent argument, a clever retort or anything other than outdated, impotent insults. Your one moment of glory on ES was threatening to post a child's pics on pornographic sites. Very impressive. Now shoo... go pester Sono. Swatting gnats messes up my computer screen. Posts: 1157 | From: Censor - Edit - Delete, but you will never take away my FREEDOM! | Registered: Dec 2007
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quote:Originally posted by * 7ayat *: But I talk about it because I want it to get better, whereas people here just want to trash it. I'm not sure how a comment like "I'm in my hate Egypt mode today" is going to help Egypt eliminate it's problems?
I found it very strange that you got off on that particular comment because the way I understood it, the poster was saying that she did NOT want to be unfair and thus preferred to refrain from commenting on that particular day.
I've been reading Jean's posts for quite a while on here and always found her to be balanced and positive. If things annoy her, she will spell them out, but she won't get into bitching or being overly negative at all.
As you know yourself, there are days in Cairo where everything seems to go wrong, nothing is working, people annoy you etc. ... so almost everyone has an "I hate Egypt today" day once in a while. Most of us take a deep breath, accept it as part of living here and get over it. I don't see what's wrong with that.
Your comment came across as very harsh, unjust and overly emotional, and it seemed to be triggered by your experiences, opinions and frustrations rather than by what was actually being said.
Posts: 3587 | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by * 7ayat *: But I talk about it because I want it to get better, whereas people here just want to trash it. I'm not sure how a comment like "I'm in my hate Egypt mode today" is going to help Egypt eliminate it's problems?
I found it very strange that you got off on that particular comment because the way I understood it, the poster was saying that she did NOT want to be unfair and thus preferred to refrain from commenting on that particular day.
I've been reading Jean's posts for quite a while on here and always found her to be balanced and positive. If things annoy her, she will spell them out, but she won't get into bitching or being overly negative at all.
As you know yourself, there are days in Cairo where everything seems to go wrong, nothing is working, people annoy you etc. ... so almost everyone has an "I hate Egypt today" day once in a while. Most of us take a deep breath, accept it as part of living here and get over it. I don't see what's wrong with that.
Your comment came across as very harsh, unjust and overly emotional, and it seemed to be triggered by your experiences, opinions and frustrations rather than by what was actually being said.
No my comments were triggered by what was said, especially that comment. I'm not sure what experiences, opinions and frustrations you are referring to? Enlighten me please.
And do people only have "I hate Egypt" days Dalia? Do they not also have "I hate America days," and "I hate Germany days" etc? And while you are at it, tell me why you were so upset about my comment about how expats never learn English? Every day there are genralisations about Egypt and you never say a thing, but I make one comment about expats and you are angry? Besides you know that the majority of expats don't bother with the Arabic. It's great that you did, but still the point I made was true. Just like you encourage Egyptians to accept the problems of Egypt, I am encouraging you to accept the reality of a lot of expats in this country.
JB said that she was upset because of the plumbing problem, which makes me feel she should hate the plumber or the landlord not the entire country?
It's unbeievable how people here keep making up "reasons" on why I got upset. It's either I'm in denial, or I miss my country, and know it's because I'm personally frustrated. I am upset because they ARE offensive
Posts: 4446 | From: Egyptian in Sydney | Registered: Mar 2005
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I am convinced that JB doesn't hate the country, she is only laying the worng connection between the country and the mentality of the companies that are supposed to give services. Like as in every country you have to find the company that suits you the most, I think in every country there are companies that are having a bad organisation. I'm living in Europe, but a lot of the companies that are working in the same field as I do, are offering a bad service. Most of the time, as an expat in Egypt, it simply is a matter of not knowing the way. They have to search for companies but they don't know where to find them! In her own country she knew the way,and here she has to find the way. It's nothing to get upset about, I think you must have expierenced the same when you first arrived in Australia...
-------------------- “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” Posts: 7202 | From: EU | Registered: Nov 2006
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Poor JeanBean, I certainly hope in the future she does not refrain from posting how she feels. I do think she is entitled as much as the next person, even 7ayat. We all have opinions and nobody is always going to agree with them.
I'm still waiting for others' opinions...this thread has really spun off course. Posts: 13440 | Registered: Feb 2006
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Not to forget the desert! It looked perfectly clean to me. (not talking about the ladies'room in that desert however )
Posts: 2932 | From: Just now and then | Registered: Nov 2006
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quote:Originally posted by * 7ayat *: It's unbeievable how people here keep making up "reasons" on why I got upset. It's either I'm in denial, or I miss my country, and know it's because I'm personally frustrated. I am upset because they ARE offensive
No my comments were triggered by what was said, especially that comment. I'm not sure what experiences, opinions and frustrations you are referring to? Enlighten me please.
I was referring to your personal experiences with expats which, judging by your posts in this thread, you were projecting on Jean. For example:
The Egyptian people would love to get the job that suckers like you get because Egyptians employers have the bloody 3o2det el Khawaga and prefer loser expats who are usually nothing in their country.
you people just lllllllllluvvvvvvvve looking down your stupid western noses at us. How many people here have no ties to Egypt whatsoever and yet Choose to live there and whinge about it all the time
You obviously know nothing about her, you didn't even know that she's a woman. So where do all those assumptions about her situation come from, if not from your personal experiences with other expats?
Btw, if some expat in Germany told me he was having an "I hate Germany" day and told me about his frustrations with my country I would not be upset and find it offensive. Maybe it's different for me since I don't feel that particular sort of pride or protectiveness for my country that you seem to be feeling for Egypt. Maybe it's a German thing ... we tend to bitch and whine about our country all the time. But that's why I find it hard to believe that this small comment made you so upset. Thus I assume you are bringing other experiences into this that had nothing to do with JB's original comment.
quote:Originally posted by * 7ayat *: And do people only have "I hate Egypt" days Dalia? Do they not also have "I hate America days," and "I hate Germany days" etc?
Of course they do! But Jean was referring to an "I hate Egypt" day because the original question was referring to the place you are currently in.
quote:Originally posted by * 7ayat *: And while you are at it, tell me why you were so upset about my comment about how expats never learn English? ... Besides you know that the majority of expats don't bother with the Arabic. It's great that you did, but still the point I made was true.
I felt insulted to be called "one of those arrogant expats who don't bother to learn Arabic" because that's not who and what I am.
And, no, I don't *know* that the majority of expats don't bother with Arabic.
I know the people you are referring to who live a particular expat lifestyle and don't bother to learn the language, and I've criticized this particular attitude more than once on here which you seem to have overlooked. But I don't share your opinion that they are the majority. Maybe they are the majority of expats *you* have met, but, as I said, most foreigners *I* know, are learning Arabic or already speaking it. On a side note, many of them work for low salaries and try hard to make a living here, so they don't fit into your category of people who are only here because they have a better life while being losers in their own country.
So who is right here? Maybe we both have a point? Why not acknowledge that instead of insisting that only your experiences are true?
quote:Originally posted by * 7ayat *: Every day there are genralisations about Egypt and you never say a thing, but I make one comment about expats and you are angry?
You are not on here every day, neither am I, and you don't read all of my posts. So I don't understand your comment above, it's simply not true. And I am not angry, but I am irritated since I don't remember ever being rude, nasty or arrogant towards you, so I feel I don't deserve the aggression and snide remarks.
quote:Originally posted by * 7ayat *: JB said that she was upset because of the plumbing problem, which makes me feel she should hate the plumber or the landlord not the entire country?
I cannot speak for Jean, but what she described seemed to me like the kind of problem that is very typical for Egypt. Maybe that's why she hated the entire country that day?
Posts: 3587 | Registered: Mar 2006
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7ayat.kabbary demaghek,tannshy begad.hetefdaly tehaty ma3ahom mesh hatukhdy ma3ahom la 7a2 wala batel.homma 3ayzeen yeshtmo keda tool el wa2t 3ashan homa by7ebo keda.da keef ya omy.mazaag.
bardo kan feeh mawdo3 zamaan 3an el culture shock.kano nazleen feeh shtyma 3aleena kal3ada.we el akh el mobagal vb 2al 3aleena pathological liars we 2al 3a elsetat el masryeen dykes.sa3tha kan feeh etneen masryeen.almaz we misho(wade7 enhom sabo el site).lama dakhlo mo3tardeen we 2a3do yedaf3o zayek keda bardo.2alo 3aleehom super sensitive egyptians we on denial kal3ada bardo. el 3alam dol mayenfa3sh ma3ahom kalam.homa dayman shayfeen nafsohom sa7 3ala tool el khatt.raya7y dema3'ek we tannshy.dammek hayt7er2 keda me elnarfza we haram enty fy ghorba bardo. Posts: 82 | From: Cairo...Assyut | Registered: Feb 2008
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Mumkin betetkallem Ingleesi 3ashan el board da is full of stupid khawagayat mabyetkallemush 3arabi khalas. Shukran giddan. Posts: 3587 | Registered: Mar 2006
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my bad .sorry really.i thought it is full of very smart khawgayat ya dalia.3ady.3andhom bf's beto3hom momken yetargmolhom bemontaha elshola.aw enty targmelhom.it is very easy.isnt it?
quote:Originally posted by Dalia*: Mumkin betetkallem Ingleesi 3ashan el board da is full of stupid khawagayat mabyetkallemush 3arabi khalas. Shukran giddan.
Mumkin tetkallem Ingleesi 3ashan el board de is full of stupid khawagayat mabyetkallemush 3arabi khalis
Posts: 147 | From: Auto's World | Registered: Jun 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Khaleel: 7ayat.kabbary demaghek,tannshy begad.hetefdaly tehaty ma3ahom mesh hatukhdy ma3ahom la 7a2 wala batel.homma 3ayzeen yeshtmo keda tool el wa2t 3ashan homa by7ebo keda.da keef ya omy.mazaag.
bardo kan feeh mawdo3 zamaan 3an el culture shock.kano nazleen feeh shtyma 3aleena kal3ada.we el akh el mobagal vb 2al 3aleena pathological liars we 2al 3a elsetat el masryeen dykes.sa3tha kan feeh etneen masryeen.almaz we misho(wade7 enhom sabo el site).lama dakhlo mo3tardeen we 2a3do yedaf3o zayek keda bardo.2alo 3aleehom super sensitive egyptians we on denial kal3ada bardo. el 3alam dol mayenfa3sh ma3ahom kalam.homa dayman shayfeen nafsohom sa7 3ala tool el khatt.raya7y dema3'ek we tannshy.dammek hayt7er2 keda me elnarfza we haram enty fy ghorba bardo.
khaleel,3la fekra misho sab el board le asbab shakhsyia, we almaz kanneit 3la el board men youmein, we dah sahl giddan benesballak te2ol in e7na mesh kewaiyseen awy fel 3arabi,3shan e7na benebttedy net3allim 3arabi lamma negie misr, mesh zayak be tet3allem engleesie men wenta shoghaier fel madrasa. fyi vb shab masry salaam alaykom
Posts: 13440 | Registered: Feb 2006
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oh good lord! english please people! peace
Posts: 3945 | From: ' Res Contr ' Amor non es guirens, lai on sos poders s'atura | Registered: Dec 2007
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speakin of texas sorry off topic but one day we was drivin in san antonio and my friend from iowa asked my why does everyone have a cactus farm!! oooooooo my god i bout pissed my pants!!!
-------------------- your ass is so tight when you fart only a dog can hear it.when you queef only a cat can hear that one. Posts: 9776 | From: You like If only mosquitoes sucked fat instead of blood. | Registered: Jul 2007
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quote:Originally posted by With a name like Smuckers: khaleel,3la fekra misho sab el board le asbab shakhsyia, we almaz kanneit 3la el board men youmein,
fyi vb shab masry
I think Khaleel is confused shwaya. Posts: 3587 | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by With a name like Smuckers: khaleel,3la fekra misho sab el board le asbab shakhsyia, we almaz kanneit 3la el board men youmein,
posted
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dalia*: [/qb]. [/i]Btw, if some expat in Germany told me he was having an "I hate Germany" day and told me about his frustrations with my country I would not be upset and find it offensive. Maybe it's different for me since I don't feel that particular sort of pride or protectiveness for my country that you seem to be feeling for Egypt. Maybe it's a German thing ... we tend to bitch and whine about our country all the time. But that's why I find it hard to believe that this small comment made you so upset. Thus I assume you are bringing other experiences into this that had nothing to do with JB's original comment. QUOTE]
Liaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar! A few years ago I was having an argument with someone and I mentioned that Germany gives a lot of money to Israel because it feels guilty of what it did to them during the Holocaust. And I even put a link to a couple of articles that discussed the issue. Then, you came in and got angry and told me that I am ignorant and not fit to be a journalist, which I was at the time.
The ironic thing is, a few months later YOU said that Israel will never let the Germans forget about the Holocaust, which is basically the point I was initially trying to make. So it seems that you didn't have a problem with talking about your country's problems, but got upset when another person did. So don't pretend to be so tolerant and nice. You seem to have a different set of standards for your actions.
Posts: 4446 | From: Egyptian in Sydney | Registered: Mar 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Dalia*: Mumkin betetkallem Ingleesi 3ashan el board da is full of stupid khawagayat mabyetkallemush 3arabi khalas. Shukran giddan.
Oh the shock! you speak arabic? we are so suprised and taken aback! NOT. I told you I know that you speak arabic, but the majority of expats don't. Afhami ba2a!
Posts: 4446 | From: Egyptian in Sydney | Registered: Mar 2005
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quote:Originally posted by With a name like Smuckers:
quote:Originally posted by Khaleel: 7ayat.kabbary demaghek,tannshy begad.hetefdaly tehaty ma3ahom mesh hatukhdy ma3ahom la 7a2 wala batel.homma 3ayzeen yeshtmo keda tool el wa2t 3ashan homa by7ebo keda.da keef ya omy.mazaag.
bardo kan feeh mawdo3 zamaan 3an el culture shock.kano nazleen feeh shtyma 3aleena kal3ada.we el akh el mobagal vb 2al 3aleena pathological liars we 2al 3a elsetat el masryeen dykes.sa3tha kan feeh etneen masryeen.almaz we misho(wade7 enhom sabo el site).lama dakhlo mo3tardeen we 2a3do yedaf3o zayek keda bardo.2alo 3aleehom super sensitive egyptians we on denial kal3ada bardo. el 3alam dol mayenfa3sh ma3ahom kalam.homa dayman shayfeen nafsohom sa7 3ala tool el khatt.raya7y dema3'ek we tannshy.dammek hayt7er2 keda me elnarfza we haram enty fy ghorba bardo.
khaleel,3la fekra misho sab el board le asbab shakhsyia, we almaz kanneit 3la el board men youmein, we dah sahl giddan benesballak te2ol in e7na mesh kewaiyseen awy fel 3arabi,3shan e7na benebttedy net3allim 3arabi lamma negie misr, mesh zayak be tet3allem engleesie men wenta shoghaier fel madrasa. fyi vb shab masry salaam alaykom
Obviously your husband translated this for you since you recently said that your are struggling with Arabic. And what's the point anyway? Why did you let use Arabic? What are you trying to prove?
Posts: 4446 | From: Egyptian in Sydney | Registered: Mar 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Khaleel: 7ayat.kabbary demaghek,tannshy begad.hetefdaly tehaty ma3ahom mesh hatukhdy ma3ahom la 7a2 wala batel.homma 3ayzeen yeshtmo keda tool el wa2t 3ashan homa by7ebo keda.da keef ya omy.mazaag.
bardo kan feeh mawdo3 zamaan 3an el culture shock.kano nazleen feeh shtyma 3aleena kal3ada.we el akh el mobagal vb 2al 3aleena pathological liars we 2al 3a elsetat el masryeen dykes.sa3tha kan feeh etneen masryeen.almaz we misho(wade7 enhom sabo el site).lama dakhlo mo3tardeen we 2a3do yedaf3o zayek keda bardo.2alo 3aleehom super sensitive egyptians we on denial kal3ada bardo. el 3alam dol mayenfa3sh ma3ahom kalam.homa dayman shayfeen nafsohom sa7 3ala tool el khatt.raya7y dema3'ek we tannshy.dammek hayt7er2 keda me elnarfza we haram enty fy ghorba bardo.
enta sa7, bas ana mabarafsh a3od sakta wel nas deeh a3ad bethet fe baladi keda!
Posts: 4446 | From: Egyptian in Sydney | Registered: Mar 2005
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[/qb][/QUOTE]Obviously your husband translated this for you since you recently said that your are struggling with Arabic. And what's the point anyway? Why did you let use Arabic? What are you trying to prove? [/QB][/QUOTE] Recently? No, about 6 months ago, and I was being humble. I just thought he didn't speak English well so I was responding in Arabic. What is your point to keep responding to him in Arabic?
Anyway, thread hijacked I guess 3 pages of no information is expected. Posts: 13440 | Registered: Feb 2006
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The thread was hijacked from page 1. And I responded to him in Arabic because we are both Egyptians, and that's the language of the country.
Posts: 4446 | From: Egyptian in Sydney | Registered: Mar 2005
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quote:Originally posted by * 7ayat *: Liaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar! A few years ago I was having an argument with someone and I mentioned that Germany gives a lot of money to Israel because it feels guilty of what it did to them during the Holocaust. And I even put a link to a couple of articles that discussed the issue. Then, you came in and got angry and told me that I am ignorant and not fit to be a journalist, which I was at the time.
The ironic thing is, a few months later YOU said that Israel will never let the Germans forget about the Holocaust, which is basically the point I was initially trying to make. So it seems that you didn't have a problem with talking about your country's problems, but got upset when another person did. So don't pretend to be so tolerant and nice. You seem to have a different set of standards for your actions.
I vaguely remember this discussion. I did not "get angry" and neither did I insult or attack you the way you keep insulting me on this thread. I corrected what I perceived as a misconception. There's a huge difference between doing that and getting all into a huff because someone criticizes your country.
And I don't "pretend to be tolerant and nice", I don't have to pretend to be anything, I am just speaking my mind. If you can't stand me and feel I'm a fake and liar, that is your opinion to which you are entitled. But I'm glad you're finally letting me know and don't continue pretending to be tolerant and nice towards me.
Btw, I never said that "Israel will never let the Germans forget about the Holocaust", my point was that it is the Germans themselves who won't let that happen, which is a difference. So please, if you call me a liar, at least get your facts right when referring to my posts.
Posts: 3587 | Registered: Mar 2006
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well i like egypt cas they have walid in it lol i am sure i will love it when i do finally go there
-------------------- your ass is so tight when you fart only a dog can hear it.when you queef only a cat can hear that one. Posts: 9776 | From: You like If only mosquitoes sucked fat instead of blood. | Registered: Jul 2007
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quote:Originally posted by * 7ayat *: Oh the shock! you speak arabic? we are so suprised and taken aback! NOT.
I think you missed my point. And who is "we"? Are you using the pluralis majestatis now?
quote:Originally posted by * 7ayat *: I told you I know that you speak arabic, but the majority of expats don't. Afhami ba2a!
And I told you that this is your personal opinion, based on *your* observations, so it is debatable whether it's a fact or not. Personally, I would find it interesting to find out more about that. But obviously you are more interested in attacking people and screaming them down than in having a serious thought exchange about this ... or anything, for that matter.
Posts: 3587 | Registered: Mar 2006
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1) the ex pat who is married to a non egyptian and here on a temporary contract or long term contract. These ex pats mix with other like minded ex pats and do not mix with the Egyptians in every day life. These are the ex pats that you were probably referring to 7ayat. They spend a lot of time out of the country with their own familes and children in their own countries and are here with the hubby part time, or kids are in foreign schools with other foreign children. They would really have not much use for learning arabic since they are only here for a short time and mix in foreign circles.
2) the ex pat who is married to an Egyptian. These are the ones who move in Egyptian circles. Occasionally with ex pats. They live here on a permanent basis or they are single and work here on a more permanent basis. All of these do speak a degree of arabic.
Oldbag, Jean B, Wendy, and I all take classes here in arabic and we are not alone. You will find that those ex pats are either fluent as is Dalia or learning as many of us are.
It is wrong of you to think that we as ex pats are not learning the language. Only the first type MAY not learn it........although many of them actually do as a hobby.
Posts: 3416 | Registered: Oct 2007
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quote:Originally posted by harankash: There are 2 types of ex pats here.
1) the ex pat who is married to a non egyptian and here on a temporary contract or long term contract. These ex pats mix with other like minded ex pats and do not mix with the Egyptians in every day life. These are the ex pats that you were probably referring to 7ayat. They spend a lot of time out of the country with their own familes and children in their own countries and are here with the hubby part time, or kids are in foreign schools with other foreign children. They would really have not much use for learning arabic since they are only here for a short time and mix in foreign circles.
2) the ex pat who is married to an Egyptian. These are the ones who move in Egyptian circles. Occasionally with ex pats. They live here on a permanent basis or they are single and work here on a more permanent basis. All of these do speak a degree of arabic.
Oldbag, Jean B, Wendy, and I all take classes here in arabic and we are not alone. You will find that those ex pats are either fluent as is Dalia or learning as many of us are.
It is wrong of you to think that we as ex pats are not learning the language. Only the first type MAY not learn it........although many of them actually do as a hobby.
^^^agreed!
you are forgetting another "type" of ex-pat...largely, older teachers who are here a few years before their retirement...OR they were forced to retire at 63 and didn't want to stop teaching, so they are teaching abroad ...
these older expats are exactly that: OLDER...it is harder to learn a new language the older you get...as adults, even in middle age, our brains are not sponges like they were when we were 10, 11 years old...it is much harder for some people to learn a language...there are also some people who never learned a second language, like french or spanish and therefore do not have the basics of actually learning a new language...
not to mention the fact, that as a teacher, many evenings and weekends are spent grading and planning lessons...we all aren't here just to work, work, work...we want to get out and travel and see the country, so our spare time is spent doing just that...going to the white desert, visiting aswan & luxor, diving in sharm...we don't want to spend MORE time in a classroom!!!!
i have a friend who went to AUC for a year, and he is fluent in SEVEN languages...he came here and basically mastered arabic in his first semester (approx. 3-1/2 months)...i asked him how he did it and he said he has a system for learning languages and that it would be hard for someone who has never studied another language to pick it up as an adult... and i totally agree
also, *7ayat*...you aggressively and personally attacked me in the AUC thread...as you are doing here to others in this thread...i admitted that i did generalize about the education system in egypt, but then later on, perhaps in another thread, you came back and said that the people are ignorant and illiterate (hmm, i wonder why?)
it wasn't until i practically laid out my whole story of being in egypt that you finally laid off me a little bit...you attack people personally instead of maturely arguing your point. if you disagree, fine...you can make your point without being nasty to people and calling them names and telling them to leave.
OM Shanti
Posts: 422 | From: American living in Maadi, visiting in the States for awhile | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
ANYWAY GUESS WHAT? I'm going back on topic.
Here is my list:
Things about Egypt I love:
* the weather * the relative safety * fresh fruits/veggies (YUM!) * the sweets! * driving through Egypt and watching the different people and entire worlds within small places passing quickly by outside the window * the palm trees * the minarets * my husbands family * knowing that when night falls it will be much cooler than the day was warm * the smiles of the people * the way the people love babies * the Egyptian sense of humor * history/monuments/etc. * the nile
THINGS I HATE:
* trash, unorganized trash system * people ready to take advantage of you because you are foreign * traffic * governments slow response to anything unless it has to do with the MB or bloggers ( ) * poverty * animal abuse * dust * procrastination * trash in the nile
ANY OTHERS? I need the info for something, comeon yous guys ! Posts: 13440 | Registered: Feb 2006
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.sorry really.i thought it is full of very smart khawgayat ya dalia.3ady.3andhom bf's beto3hom momken yetargmolhom bemontaha elshola.aw enty targmelhom.it is very easy.isnt it?![[Confused]](confused.gif)
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