People....

By: Deemco

On:Monday, October 29, 2007 4:47:24 PM
In:Thoughts
Viewed: (6786) times

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I was very upset this morning when I got to university only to find out that there was no class, especially since I forced myself to get out of bed this morning. I thought about just going home and ditching my next class. There was and hour and a half left until my next class and I wasn't in the mood to wait, especially since all my friends were in their classes.

There was a girl sitting in front of me (I sat in class while I was considering whether or not I should go home) who turned around and started talking to me. I've noticed her in class, but we've never really spoken. We talked about the subject (psychology) and the book and the professor. She was very nice and quite interesting. She has been living in Jordan for the past 4 years. Before that she lived in Venezuela for 17 years. She spoke Spanish, English and Arabic. I was impressed. She told me about her parents and why they came to live here and about her life. She's an Arab, Palestinian to be precise, but her mother tongue is Spanish. She's struggling in Jordan because both her Arabic and English language skills are not that strong. Sadly, her Spanish is of little use here! It made me happy to know that she intends on studying Arabic after she graduates (which is after this semester) to improve her speaking and writing skills. Since her English skills are not as strong as her Spanish, she asked me a couple of questions about things in the book which she had difficulty understanding. I gladly explained them to her. She was so sweet and I just had this feeling that she had a kind heart.

You're probably wondering why I'm talking about this. So I'll tell you. What my point is, is that after talking to her for almost an hour I felt good, I was happy. Although my day didn't start out very well, I got to meet someone new, someone interesting. Meeting new people always makes me happy. It's something that rarely happens. It seems hard to find good people and meeting new people isn't something that happens every day. I just read a post by blogger who was complaining of the difficulty in meeting new people in Amman and I can't agree more. Jordanians are known for their very friendly nature. NOT!!

Seriously, sometimes when I'm in a good mood I can't stop myself from smiling. Yet I try to control my joy and not smile so much so people won't think I'm crazy or laughing at them. I wouldn't DARE smile if my eyes happened to meet the eyes of a male in Jordan. It would definitely be misinterpreted.

I just wish people in Jordan would lighten up a little. OK, maybe a lot. The people here can really bring you down. They're either angry, swearing at everyone, giving out dirty looks or just plain rude! It's so depressing. Why can't people be friendly and nice? It wouldn't hurt to smile! Plus, smiling is contagious. You smile at someone and they'll smile back. Spreading smiles all over. (OK now I sound corny) All I'm saying is that people need to change here in Jordan, for the better.

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Memories....

#1
hamede
Said
On: 10/29/2007 6:32:31 PM

Good read.

#2
Deemco
Said
On: 10/29/2007 8:41:18 PM

Thanks hamede, I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

#3
Dandooneh
Said
On: 10/29/2007 9:21:58 PM

well am always like as u said ,smile in ppl's faces even if i don't know them (mish ay 7ada 6ab3an )but some ppl u just feel comfortable to smile at ,i remember once a gurl asked me "do u know me ?? then y r u smiling at mee !!!"
anyway "Meeting new people always makes me happy" same to me ..

#4
chikapappi
Said
On: 10/29/2007 9:47:06 PM

I love meeting people too :) we should meet soon

#5
hatem abunimeh
Said
On: 10/29/2007 10:08:23 PM

Q
I just want to say that I like your new look much more than your old one, this one is much more lively. Thanks.
hatem

#6
Deemco
Said
On: 10/29/2007 10:34:23 PM

Dandooneh: that's funny. It's because people aren't used to friendly people. When you smile they become suspicious.

Chika: I'd love to meet you, really ba7isik areebeh min il alb :) If you ever come to jordan we'll definitely meet inshallah :)

#7
Hani Obaid
Said
On: 10/29/2007 11:47:46 PM

The other day I was in a meeting, and a customer approached me:

Customer: Hani you are always smiling
Hani: Is that a good thing ?
C: Yes
H: Well, the more you smile the happier you become.
H: and the happier you are, the more you smile
C: Yes its a vicious cycle
*both of us smiling now*
- mission accomplished-

#8
Deemco
Said
On: 10/30/2007 12:43:28 AM

Personally, when I smile, I feel better. And when you smile at someone you make them feel good. Like I said, It's contagious!

#9
طفيلي( ahmad)
Said
On: 10/30/2007 4:09:14 AM

People in Jordan are known as grumpy people. This was a hot topic on TV and newspaper the question was why not we laugh in Jordan. Most of them got around less than 400 dollars to feed around 4 to 6 in the one family. When his kids ask for toys or decent foods or going to park and the parent can not afford, how are they supposed to smile. These kids will learn how to give up the basic thinks to enjoy their childhood
The youths can not got married and settle down. They are confused; they live two kind of life. If I continue to mention why are not smiling, I could write a long list of reasons.
The funny things in this topic is , when we smile and laugh loudly. ,other tell us stop smiling because bad luck will come to you in the following day and pray not to have it.

#10
Qwaider
Said
On: 10/30/2007 5:11:53 AM

Actually, that's not a good reason. Look at Egypt and Syria for example. People are in WORSE conditions. Yet they smile and laugh to their heart's content!

I think the lack of smile in Jordan is synonymous with the resentment. With status, with "If you smile, you're not serious"
That's the real reason. It's the fear that smiling is going to reduce your manhood!

#11
طفيلي( ahmad)
Said
On: 10/30/2007 6:04:23 AM

Ok, How you can explain the grumpy women in jordan.They are not worried about manhoon and look awful with 111 numder on their face.syria and Egypt are wealthy countriers and have got rivers and lands. For example, if they want to take their kids for picnic,they can go to river or beach to enjoy themself.
In jordan, there is no decent place for normal family with paying half of their salary.I think that half of jordanians are considered as desert people and their charcters are tough.other half have lost their land and seek better life for their kids and cope with this un-fair world.

#12
Princess N
Said
On: 10/31/2007 12:00:21 PM

You are so right, a couple of years ago i went to Salvador da Bahia in Brazil for work for a month.. they call it the capital of smiling.. and i found out why.. people are smiling all the time.. i did not hear anyone fighting for the whole duration of my stay.. i once stopped at a lane at the bank for 20 minutes while the teller was just chatting with the customer and everyone was fine, smiling and waiting.. can you imagine what would have happened if this happened here??!!

I guess after a month i got a bit used to it so when i came back to amman i was smiling and trying to be nice, but the minute the plane landed and i saw the welcoming smile (yeah right) from the airport staff my smile was swept away..