9 Struggles You’ll Relate To When Dealing With Neighbors In Beirut

We love Beirut, and one key feature of the Beirut city life is dealing with neighbors. Living in a building with like 10 other families can be quite the rollercoaster, so here are common struggles you can definitely relate to if you’ve ever had to deal with your neighbors.

Akhh…the joys of city life.

1. Being watched by that one teta who spies on you from her balcony

Bte23od 3al balcon and watches you enter/leave the building. You can feel her eyes burning into your soul. Don’t make eye contact. Don’t blink…

2. Getting on awkward elevator rides (and you live on the last floor)

Imagine going up to the 13th floor and you’re forced to interact with the neighbor who lives on the 12th, who also happens to be in the elevator.

“Hi keefak?”

“Mneeh w enta? Keef l 3ayle?”

“Mneh”

*Silence for 10 more floors*

3. Dealing with the lejne taba3 l bineye

Bro nehna mesh l UN, it’s just a ten-story building and three of the neighbors live abroad.

4. Getting interrogated by cheapskate who wants to yjareb fik

“Da5lak jar ana 3m fakar rakeb el solar…inta ha ta3mela sah?”

“Adde akhad menkon?”

“Kellon b hebbo ye2rto masare”

5. Getting caught in your “ta2 l disjoncteur” outfit

Your mom’s shahhata, the robe with the weird prints, and your stained PJs underneath. Amazing.

6. Running into your neighbor while grabbing your food from the delivery guy

“Shuuuuu talbeen Barbar? Sahtennnn”

You can feel the judgment.

7. Discovering someone is “borrowing” your electricity

Eza fi any to begin with but that’s a great way to start some bineye drama. There’s always SOMETHING going on.

8. Getting woken up by that noisy neighbor yalli b tabbesh 3al daraj ekher l lel

Thanks for letting the entire building know that you got home at 2am.

9. Overhearing your neighbors gossiping and someone name-drops you or your parents/siblings

Do I continue listening? Do I get involved? Do I make myself known? Decisions that must be made in seconds.