9 Ways Your Lebanese Parents Sh*t On Your Generation

A favorite pastime for most of our Lebanese parents is telling us all how bad our generations are in comparison to theirs. We’re sure your parents have used at least a few of these nine ways.

1. Using the classic “shu hal jeel” phrase

It works in every situation, and it’s probably their most favorite thing to say.

2. Dragging your fashion sense through the mud

“Shu hal mooda hal sene, lesh kello mfattah w mkhazza2?”

3. Telling you the story of how they used to go to school during the war

“Kenet rooh 3al madrase henne w 3am yoqsfo fo2 rasna”

4. Gloating over how many chores they got done every day to help their parents

Carrying firewood up nine floors, cleaning the house every single day, preparing their own food, 3a shway they’re manufacturing hunting tools for their dad la yetsayad 3asafeer.

5. Giving you “the look”

A brief shake of the head, squint of the eyes, and purse of the lips. You can see the pure disappointment.

6. Hating on your eating habits

“Kello delivery kel yom, nehna kenna nekol tabeekh kel yom w ma ken fi hal akel l zbele.”

7. Assuming you don’t know their favorite Lebanese icons

“Bta3ref meen ye3ne Ziad Rahbani? Bta3ref meen Nouhad Haddad? Hay Fayrouz ya hmar”

8. Criticizing terbeyetkon even though henne l rabbookon

Especially when you talk back because apparently, they never dared to do that with their parents.

9. Firmly believing that your generation is lost

Ye3ne the end of the world is near la2anno 3enna opinions they don’t agree with.