Listomania
13 Things You Can’t Say In A Lebanese Household
There are certain unspoken rules when it comes to living in a Lebanese household. That includes rules on what you can and cannot say. Here are 13 things you would be wise to never utter in a Lebanese household.
1. “Ta3ben/e”
And like an automated response you’ll hear, “Men shu? Shu fi 3endkon hmoom ento ekleen sherbeen neymeen?”
2. “Ento ayemnkon keno gher”
For some reason, this translates to “nehna ayemna ahsan w ento aghbiya” in their brains.
3. “Ma bheb hal akle”
No matter how many times you tell your mom “ma bheb l bemye”, she will make it and say “yi ma bteklo ghayra!”
Sure mom.
4. “Manne jo3an/e”
*proceeds to feed you food enough to satiate the rest of the bineye*
5. “Ma ele khele2”
You can’t not have khele2 at the ripe age of 20-something. It’s forbidden.
6. “Mesh mazboot”
Did you know that Lebanese parents are physically unable to be wrong about anything? It’s impossible.
7. “I have my own opinion”
HAHAHAHHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
8. “Watto sot l TV”
Not when your Lebanese dad is watching the news. Barke l jiran ma 3endon TV w baddon yesma3o shu 3am b seer?
9. “Ma 3abele sallem 3al dyoof”
You will be labeled the most disrespectful child of the century. Ya 3ayb el shum. How dare you not greet our guests yalli ha yenharo eza ma sallamto?
10. *silence*
“Shu bek seket lyom?”
And your parents will go on a rampage thinking eno fi shi.
11. “Ma 3abele 3ayed 3amte”
But it’s too late. The phone is already being shoved into your face.
12. “Shu ‘nshallah’?”
If your parents say “nshallah” about something, you do not ask any more questions. Nshallah ya3ne nshallah. The day will come and you will know shu ya3ne.
13. Complaining about literally anything
“Eh habibi nehna 3a ayemna [insert random story about the war]”
Can you think of more things you can’t say in a Lebanese household? Tag us!