I am an Arab, AMA
Hello, my name is Youssef. I am Egyptian and this is an AMA about really anything related to being an Arab. I will be answering questions related to Arabic culture, living in an Arabic country and just questions in general.
Hey! Can you explain to me how school works there? Like for example how old do you finish high school, it's different in some countries and I would like to know :)
The food! Some special dishes? ;)
How school works here?
School here is just basically 2 years of kindergarten, followed by 12 years of education. You finish school when you're 18~. Well, that's how its supposed to be. Some people enter early/late by a few months due to different birthdates so they end up finishing a bit later or earlier.
The Food?
The reason why you never see 'arabic cuisine' is because it simply is just too big. What Egyptians eat, is different to what gulf countries eat, to what syrians eat. But yes, we do have lots and lots and lots and lots of meals. What you may also find odd is that we have salad as a side dish in every lunch. I discussed this matter with people on here before and they have said it isn't always the case in the western world.
I have salad like a side dish too! :D What's your favorite dish then?
Hi Youssef,
Nowadays there are these big amalgamations between origin, religion and belief against people coming from Arabic countries. Unfortunately, people are scared of terrorism and, from what I understand, some tend to put everyone in the same boat. I wondered if, when you go abroad to "Western" countries, you personally ever feel resentment and mis-judgement from people due to your origins? or if people are actually much saner than I think?
Loving your photo by the way!
Do you personally ever feel resentment and mis-judgement from people due to your origins?
Yes. I have met lots of people that were not so nice. I have been to more than 20 airports in Europe, and I have lived in Canada for some time. Most of the people that pre-judged me were Europeans, in Canada most people are a bit more accepting than Europeans. Perhaps that is because over there it somewhat is more diverse. Now, do not get me wrong. I have met rude, and ignorant people as well as normal people and nice people. But I have barely met anyone that frowns in Canada once I say I am an Arab. While in Europe some of the people over there handling my passport or whatnot would sort of look down, or just speak in a less polite manner to me after knowing my nationality.
Note: I have met normal people aswell. I am not generalizing whatsoever. All I am saying is that yes we have been treated a bit differently in airports. I can't comment on the people inside the country themselves. Also, we have been subject to quite the number of random checks, because both my mother and my sister wear hijab.
Thank you, it helps to get an insider perspective, but it's such a shame that you can testimony of the world's view on Arabs.
**shame that you can testimony on the bad views the world can have towards Arabs.
But it's heartwaring to know it isn't always bad experiences
But, it does happen both ways. We have arabs that can't stand westerners. I won't lie. There are some arabs for example that just despise certain ethnicities. They aren't like the people they show on T.V. But, they would just simply rather not sit down with a westerner. They won't go and harm you, but they wouldn't be friendly either. And, yeah it wasn't only bad experiences. I have met people that would go like
'Oh, you're Egyptian? I have been there and it is beautiful.'
(I just wanted to make sure no one gets the wrong idea about how I'm saying all westerners are rude and whatnot. They aren't, atleast not all of them.)
@YoussefIاخيرا حد مصري ..
Am not sure if I should ask you this but I'll take the chance:
Has the current war between Israel & Iran's proxy forces (Hamas & Hezbollah) affected your life in any way?
Also - Aside from your fellow Egyptians, do you know anyone in other countries in the region...Sudan, Israel, Morocco, etc.?