Burglary attempt

[MaidenScotland]

Originally Posted by Whitedesert

I am suggesting you read this first.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do means that when you are visiting a new place, you should try to do as the people do who are from the place.
Example: "I can't eat that." Reply: "Oh, give it a try. When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

People from different places have different ways of acting, so it is important to try to do things the way people do who are from the place that you are visiting.
Example: "Are you sure we can eat this with our hands?" Reply: "Why not? All of these people are. When in Rome, do as the Romans do." In practice this means adapting, and adapting is not helpful if you compare everything with "back home".

One of the first things said to me and I know also to others when they arrive is.. dont trust him but you can trust me...... why?

[Whitedesert]

Originally Posted by MaidenScotland

One of the first things said to me and I know also to others when they arrive is.. dont trust him but you can trust me...... why?

That in itself is not unique to Egypt, applies to most Arab speaking countries. The thing about it is, that after a while, when you have been here a while you discover that those you can trust, you can trust absolutely, rare in the West. I know I can trust my driver absolutely, there are many others I cannot trust. One thing I can tell you, as westerners we can pull being dishonest off at a much higher level than most Egyptians, because generally we have grown up much more aloof in our version of the nuclear family, whereas the locals are still babies at it. They grow up in co-dependant families, so quite frankly they still need to learn a lot about bulls*itting, something most of us have down to a fine art.

[hyper_janice]

Originally Posted by Eco-Mariner

I was robbed just outside of Rome. It turned my whole life upside down and changed the course of my actions towards others.

What are you suggesting? That when in Rome go round robbing locals for spite?

Exactly what I thought!

[hyper_janice]

Originally Posted by Whitedesert

More than anything else I am saying, when you are in Rome...if not you just make your own life miserable. So they are pious, I agree, we are pious in other ways. In terms of what Janice say she does now? - that can not be good or sustained. If it is that bad, it is time to pull the suitcases closer.

My dear, I eat with my hands, I accept the temperament differences (actually I have these extremes at times also), I visit my husband's relatives.

I was married to 2 other husbands (USA) who treated me like ****, sat on their asses while I worked, beat me, played around with other women ......... so now you're telling me it's not sustainable to live with a man that treats me well (yes, he's not perfect but what a honey bunny!) to go back to the States to find another homar just to divorce them at the age of 55? My dear, although I live in the land of hell, I have refuge in a sweet sweet man! That is something priceless, worthy of endurance of all the jackassses in the world (which by the way, I have met quite a few!). Humdulah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lanason]

Originally Posted by hyper_janice

My dear, I eat with my hands, I accept the temperament differences (actually I have these extremes at times also), I visit my husband's relatives.

I was married to 2 other husbands (USA) who treated me like ****, sat on their asses while I worked, beat me, played around with other women ......... so now you're telling me it's not sustainable to live with a man that treats me well (yes, he's not perfect but what a honey bunny!) to go back to the States to find another homar just to divorce them at the age of 55? My dear, although I live in the land of hell, I have refuge in a sweet sweet man! That is something priceless, worthy of endurance of all the jackassses in the world (which by the way, I have met quite a few!). Humdulah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really admire your perseverance - sounds like you have had a tough time both in the States and here. Make the best of what you have.

[expatagogo]

Originally Posted by Whitedesert

Janice,

I said that, not Janice. If you're going to use the quote feature to take a swipe at someone, the least you can do is swipe at the right person.

Originally Posted by Whitedesert

"what you see is what you get", are you serious? I have not lived in the US, but in the West generally speaking nothing is ever what it seems to be, EVER.

Translation: Let me start off by saying I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I'm going to talk about it as if I know what I'm talking about, just so I can talk about it.

From an informed discussion point of view, that's a losing strategy, don't you think?

But really, do go on. I'm sure you watch television and movies, so you know exactly what our lives are like in the US. Tell us all about how we (Americans) are and what our lives are like, etc., because talking for the sake of talking, even if one admits they have no idea what they're talking about so they have no choice but to resort to sweeping generalizations, does have entertainment value. You type, I'll giggle.

Originally Posted by Whitedesert

There are thieves everywhere in the world, in every country, in every culture and that has been the case for millions of years. What do you want from the Egyptians? A declaration that because they are Muslims or Coptic Christians they wont rob you? Many of them will of cause not do that, but many will, especially the desperate ones. I dont think you should have a set of moral rules for the US, and a different set of rules for Egypt.

Project much? You certainly must because I've never said any of that.

Oh yeah, I forgot. You're talking for the sake of talking.

Carry on.

[expatagogo]

Originally Posted by Whitedesert

quite frankly they still need to learn a lot about bulls*itting, something most of us have down to a fine art.

Please, don't include me in the "us" grouping as that's not part of my moral compass.

[Whitedesert]

Originally Posted by expatagogo

I said that, not Janice. If you're going to use the quote feature to take a swipe at someone, the least you can do is swipe at the right person.




Translation: Let me start off by saying I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I'm going to talk about it as if I know what I'm talking about, just so I can talk about it.

From an informed discussion point of view, that's a losing strategy, don't you think?

But really, do go on. I'm sure you watch television and movies, so you know exactly what our lives are like in the US. Tell us all about how we (Americans) are and what our lives are like, etc., because talking for the sake of talking, even if one admits they have no idea what they're talking about so they have no choice but to resort to sweeping generalizations, does have entertainment value. You type, I'll giggle.



Project much? You certainly must because I've never said any of that.

Oh yeah, I forgot. You're talking for the sake of talking.

Carry on.

or the translation could be: I don't really know how to handle another persons subjective or objective point of view, so I get angry, and then nasty...shame, it must be hell to live like that.

[expatagogo]

Originally Posted by Whitedesert

or the translation could be: I don't really know how to handle another persons subjective or objective point of view, so I get angry, and then nasty...shame, it must be hell to live like that.

Nope, just calling it like I see it.

Let me explain something, because you've never been to the US so you wouldn't know.

Legend has it that when George Washington, the first President of the US, was a child, he cut down a cherry tree in his father's yard. When his father saw the tree had been cut down, he asked the young George if he did it. George (allegedly) answered, "I cannot tell a lie..." and confessed to his deed.

In the US, from a young age, that story is pounded into our heads to enforce honestly as a value. As a result, Americans are pretty generally trusting souls, and we'll give anyone a chance until they prove we should do otherwise.

Just food for thought.

[Whitedesert]

Originally Posted by expatagogo

Nope, just calling it like I see it.

Let me explain something, because you've never been to the US so you wouldn't know.

Legend has it that when George Washington, the first President of the US, was a child, he cut down a cherry tree in his father's yard. When his father saw the tree had been cut down, he asked the young George if he did it. George (allegedly) answered, "I cannot tell a lie..." and confessed to his deed.

In the US, from a young age, that story is pounded into our heads to enforce honestly as a value. As a result, Americans are pretty generally trusting souls, and we'll give anyone a chance until they prove we should do otherwise.

Just food for thought.

wrong on all accounts. Been to the USA several times, the last time being last year to visit family in Atlanta, yah, can you believe that I have family in the US, Atlanta and Chicago...you make way to many assumptions, and in the process make a real fool of yourself.