14 Arguments You’ve Had With Your Lebanese Parents

Sometimes it feels like all Lebanese parents have been wired the same way. How many of these arguments have you had?

1. The one about the house chores.

This usually starts with “ma 7ada bise3id bi hal bet”, even though you asked them if they need help around the house 600 times.

2. The one about marriage.

Telling your Lebanese parents that you don’t believe in marriage is basically a death wish. Brace yourself for all the “badna nshuf wledkon” talk.

3. The one about coming home late.

“Shu fet7in hotel hon?”

Nope, because a hotel wouldn’t pester its guests like this.

4. The one about going out several days in a row.

“Mish daharto mberih? Shu kel yom dahra?”

Uh yes… and?

5. The one about the jacket.

Doesn’t matter if it’s summer and you’re headed to the beach, your parents will pick a fight with you if you go out without a jacket.

6. The one about food delivery.

There’s food at home but you still want to order? Lol, good luck winning this round.

7. The one about your generation.

This is usually when your parents accuse your generation of being spoiled and back up their argument with stories about how they used to walk through 35 villages to get to school in the midst of the war.

8. The one about your phone.

Your parents will pin anything and everything on “akhou el sh*rmouta li be eedkon”.

You have a headache? Men akhou el sh*rmouta li be eedkon.

You’re failing classes? Men akhou el sh*rmouta li be eedkon.

Trump as president? Men akhou el sh*rmouta li be eedkon.

9. The one about your studies.

Yet another argument where your parents use themselves as an example.

“Ana kenet el awal 3al saf w emkon kenit el oula 3al madrase kela”.

10. The one about your career choice.

This is often loaded with stereotypes, as your parents try and convince you to go for engineering or med school.

11. The one about your driving.

Driving with a parent in the passenger seat is definitely one of the most stressful experiences in life.

12. The one about your allowance.

“Ma tkuno mfakrinna menle2e el masare 3al shajar?”

The ultimate guilt-trip.

13. The one about the tupperware.

Came back home without your tupperware? Find somewhere else to crash for the night.

14. The one about politics/religion.

Your parents are shocked and hurt that you have an opinion of your own, and they will stop at nothing to make a point.