8 Funny Things We Do as Arab Americans
By: Meriam Helal/Contributing Writer
Arab Americans behave in a specific way that is different from other Americans. Maybe we get it from our parents, maybe we get it from the Mloukhieh. Either way, here are some of them.
1. We are always fashionably late
Some people call it Arab time, some use specific countries to justify why they are late.
2. We are always down to get food
Arab Americans love food. We are always willing to go get food and try new cuisines. It’s our fun way of breaking bread together, bonding, and sharing experiences.
3. We are always with our families
Arab Americans are very family oriented and often live with their families and visit their extended families often. Whenever friends call to make plans, we are most likely spending time with our families.
4. We are all professional dancers
Arab Americans are inherently great dancers because partying is an important part of family gatherings. We dance solo, belly dance and do the dabke.
5. We are very generous
We’re always standing by to help our friends and family, not only financially, but more importantly, give of ourselves. We have seen our parents gift the poor and the sick, the neighbors, and even strangers, and we turn around and do the same.
6. We all know each other (cousins)
Our parents always want to be sure that we know their sisters’ and brothers’ cousins’ children and grandparents, not only here in America, but also all extended family back home.
We all pick up relatives from the airport, invite everyone to come for coffee, food, and even sleep in our bedrooms.
7. We are very religious
Whether we’re Christian or Muslims, we depend on God for our success and even failures. We say inshaAllah, God willing; issim Allah, ma sha Allah, Wallah.
Our families worship together and celebrate religious holidays together.
8. We always compare things to how it is in our homelands
When we don’t like how something is here, we reminisce about how things are in our homeland. You will usually catch Arabs saying, “Back in my country, we have a lot of lands.” Some reminisce about good things some reminisce about bad things.
