{"id":49552,"date":"2017-03-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-03-21T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beirut.com\/49552\/14-things-all-lebanese-mothers-have-in-common"},"modified":"2017-03-21T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-03-21T00:00:00","slug":"14-things-all-lebanese-mothers-have-in-common","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beirut.com\/en\/49552\/14-things-all-lebanese-mothers-have-in-common\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Things All Lebanese Mothers Have In Common"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lebanese mums.. ahh. Where do I start? Growing up you were never sure if you love them or hate them, and as you get older you start to realise how right they were all along (about most things, at least).\u00a0Here are a few (terrifying) things most Lebanese mums have in common. If you have any additions, feel free to leave a comment below so we can all have a giggle!<\/big><\/p>\n

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1. The death stare:<\/b><\/big><\/big><\/p>\n

Out in public as a kid and mama gives you the death stare? It means stop whatever the hell you’re doing and shut up. Even now, 22 years later, I still get that exact same look that to this day sends shivers down my spine. Satan would be jealous.<\/big><\/p>\n

2. Or the three cursed fingers:<\/big><\/big><\/b><\/p>\n

If you get the three fingers, held together that usually mean \u201chala2 bfarjeek\/bfarjeeke<\/i>\u201d with or without the death stare, I suggest you run away. Preferably to another planet.\u00a0<\/big><\/p>\n

3. It’s all your dad’s fault:<\/big><\/big><\/b><\/p>\n

Whatever is wrong with you, whether it\u2019s your stubbornness or big nose, it\u2019s a result of your dad\u2019s flawed genes.<\/big><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

4. But “ask baba”:<\/big><\/big><\/b><\/p>\n

Wanna go out with your friends? “S2ale bayik\/bayak<\/i>\u201c will most probably be her reply. For me, this just meant don’t bother asking, pretend he said yes, and do whatever I want anyway since baba will most probably say “s2ale emmik<\/i>\u201c because he\u2019s petrified of her too. <\/big><\/p>\n

5. Shouting is their main form of communication:<\/big><\/big><\/b><\/p>\n

I have never met a Lebanese mother that doesn\u2019t shout. Sore throat? Lost voice? She will still find a way.<\/big><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

6. Her WhatsApp display picture is most probably you and your siblings:<\/big><\/big><\/b><\/p>\n

Nine times out of ten, a Lebanese mother\u2019s Whatsapp picture is a random, blindingly ugly selfie you once sent her which she somehow sees as attractive.\u00a0<\/big><\/p>\n

7. The Facebook love is real:<\/big><\/big><\/b><\/p>\n

She is your biggest fan on social media. From her poetic comments in admiration of your beauty to her compulsively liking every single thing you post, I\u2019ve never felt more loved. Although if you post something she doesn\u2019t approve of, prepare yourself for one of her signature bahdale<\/i> texts. *Edits FB privacy*<\/big><\/p>\n

8. She brags about you, no matter what:<\/big><\/big><\/b><\/p>\n

Even if you\u2019re the world\u2019s most annoying kid. You\u2019re always \u201ctop of the class\u201d to all your family and friends and have some kind of superhuman achievements that all her friends envy.<\/big><\/p>\n

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9. But at home, you\u2019re still the worst child ever:<\/big><\/big><\/b><\/p>\n

She will forever compare you to her best friend\u2019s kid. Or your cousins. Or both. \u201cDo you think Maha\u2019s room would ever look this messy!?\u201d<\/big><\/p>\n

10. \u2026And your grades are NEVER good enough:<\/big><\/big><\/b> <\/p>\n

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lmao arab parents
‘Mama I got an A in the maths’
‘Where’s your A*’
‘Mum you can’t get one at AS’<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

‘Your cousin Ali could get one’<\/p>\n

\u2014 lina \ud83c\udf1a (@LinaAskar) 18 October 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n