In response to Chiraz

Submitted by Anna (European Union), Feb 25, 2007 at 11:12

Hi Chiraz,

Just thought i would comment on some of the things you raised! ...

I dont know many egyptian men (apart from my husband) that don't drink alcohol (or smoke for that matter), the majority that i know also go to bars / belly dancing clubs etc! They can be rather hypocritical at times, they seem to engage in these activities all year round but come ramadan they all turn into good muslims!

Last Ramadan (i am christian), one of my husband's friends who drinks a lot saw that i was having a beer and couldn't believe that i would drink during their holy month!! Its quite funny actually, they all seem to read the Koran and go to the mosque a lot more in ramadan too, to say they are hypocritical is probably an understatement!! I have caught one or two of them hiding during this month in the past having a sneaky cigarette. As you quite rightly pointed out though, a lot of christians do things that they are not supposed to!

I would guess that your boyfriend is probably a lot more laid back now that he is in america, in egypt men and women are not allowed to date and can get into big trouble with the police if they are caught alone together. Men and women who are engaged to be married are not even allowed to touch each other until they have got married. I think this is why a lot of middle eastern men have warped ideas about western women, they see us in bars talking to men etc and then think that we must all be free and easy. I would advise you to lay off having an intimate relationship with him for a fair few months, believe me, he will respect you for it more in the long run!

Most egyptian men that i know are insanely jealous. My husband is also sensitive but certainly did not change after i married him, i know some men do but you need to lay the law down now and tell him that you are an American woman and certainly would not stand for any rubbish, believe me, it works. Be firm!

Go into this relationship with caution like you would any other, but i certainly wouldn't let some bad press on Egyptian men ruin things for you, yes they are not all good men but at the same time a lot of them are, i am extremely happy with my egyptian man. If you decide to stay with this man then i would advise you to go to egypt so you can get a taste for what his culture is like. And remember, just because you two are of different cultures, doesn't mean that you have to lose your identity.

Anna

Feel free to email me if you have any questions M1SSX@AOL.COM

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