for Chon

Submitted by kelly (Egypt), May 13, 2008 at 03:56

Chon,

First you need to establish that everything he has said to you is true, just to rule out that he is scamming you. Ask for photos of him while he was in his Olympic uniform, ect, just ask for proof of everything he told you.

The way of life way be a big change for you, i'm living in Sharm el sheikh, its completely westernized, so everyone speaks english, and i can wear what ever i feel like, whereas if im visiting Cairo, i have to dress to cover past my knees and shoulders.

I would advise that this is only a holiday, and you think very hard about the cultural changes when you're there, and if you could live with that? There is a big misunderstanding that muslim women are suppressed, i feel differently about this, after my experiences i think that it is definitely the women who control the family. Egyptian women are treated like a princess by their husbands, and in return, cook and clean around the house, but those who can afford it pay someone else to do it. (which is quite a lot of people) Egyptian men, are constantly buying presents for their wife, to show how much they appreciate them. Also before marriage, there is an important engagment party, where he should give you Gold. the average amount is 1000 GBP to 2000 GBP (sorry i dont know dollars, only sterling) Normally scammers dont give their wife to be anything.

He hasnt told you that he loves you? this is a little strange for an Egyptian man, they fall in love easy, and are big romantics, they will tell you all the time how much they love you. My husband told me he only needs one women, but the British Consulate have certain conditions for giving permission for marriage. one of the conditions was that he would sign a contract to say he will only have one wife (me) which he happily signed. If he ever married a second wife, or marriage will automatically be annulled by the British Consulate. I'm not sure what the American Embassy do. I suggest maybe you research this before marriage.

I have many friends here, but there are a lot of westerners living here, so its easy. If youre going to be living in a remote part of the country, if you want to make friends, you'll need to learn the language, so think first if you are willing to do that? use this holiday, to see where you'll be living and what type of people are around, you, and if a lot of people stare at you.

I've seen it many times before, men stare at western women (in Cairo) and eventually their egyptian husbands ask them to cover like a musim women (they may not ask them to convert, but at least to cover) so check this out, as maybe one day he might ask you to do this.

You definitely need to meet his family first, his traditions means he needs his families aproval to go ahead and marry you.

I'm sorry its a bit long, and i hope it helps you. Please dont move there without visiting a couple of times first, and really thinking about the changes, and if you would be able to cope with that. Good Luck, it sounds like the real thing.

Kelly xx

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