Arab, not muslim....

Submitted by EuroInjun (United States), Aug 24, 2007 at 16:39

The man I have been dating is a Christian Jordanian. Yet, the problems I hear many of you talking about seem to be in line with those I am also working through. He is not Muslim, and not as strict perhaps because of it. However, from the standpoint of an American women, he is very controlling. For example, I don't go out drinking or party or anything. Not because I think it is a terrible behavior, but because I am to grown to have any interest in it. Yet, yesterday it was storming outside when I was ready to go home. I decided to look for a friend to give me a ride. My boyfriend, over the phone, agreed this was the best thing. As it turned out, my roommate was meeting a friend who would give us both a ride. They were to meet at the bar next door to our school as he was coming from another building and we couldn't wait in the storm. So she and I went to the bar and waited there for him. I ordered a drink because she was harassing me to do so, but gave it away to another friend who came in. I told my boyfriend all of this as it was going on so he wouldn't hear it from another person. This morning he says to me "I am very disappointed in your decision making and we will discuss this later." Ha!

Another event, I am a graduate student and have been studying for three years as is my boyfriend. After class one evening we met several of our friends in the student lounge to chat. I saw some of the people in my program who I have known now for many years. I walked over and noticed that one of the guys had a buzz cut. He was sitting at a table and I patted the top of his head and said that he looked like my brothers who also have buzz cuts. Evidently my boyfriend didn't see this event because this morning he said that a friend had seen me flirting with some guy and putting my hands in his hair. I explained what really happened and he was so angry with me he walked away but not before saying that maybe in America that type of behavior is acceptable for a woman but I know his culture and should realize I was acting in a way he wouldn't have approved. HA HA!

So anyway, I have to decide if HIS behavior is something I CAN deal with... but my point is that this issue is that of an Arab man, muslim or not.

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