Where’s Waldo? Sorry, I mean, where’s Hussain?
I was waiting for the bus today, and inevitably staring at people and hearing various conversations. Surprisingly, none of the verbal jib-jab interested me or grabbed my attention. However, I noticed this weird thing that many Arabs, or maybe even those of other cultures see as well; a distinct facial expression that no one can miss.
So, he had green eyes, very light coloured skin, and brown hair. Looked nothing like the typical Arab. However, his eyes were wide and filled with sorrow. I assumed he was an Arab. I don’t know why I did. I don’t know who he was and I never seen him in my life, and guess what ethnicity he was? An Arab! How did I find out he was definetly one? Simple, one Arab + one Arab that pops up from thin air = loud Arabic conversation that begins with, “Man, seme3et shu sar?” (Man, did you hear what happened?)
Is it me, or do Arabs have this sadness to them? Most of the Arabs that I sporadically find on the street or waiting on the bus have a very sad facial expression. Why is that? I should be the QUEEN of sad facial expressions and be spotted a mile away. Well, the tan skin and Arabic eyes won’t fool anyone, but who said that my life turned out great that I shouldn’t be sad?
You Arabs, if you do decide to laugh, it is only when someone is made fun of, or you told a nasty joke that is forbidden to say at home. Right?
Tell me why most of you have this sad look. Is it the dominant allele? Is it the way we are raised in this joyous culture? Or is it that all our lives turned out like crap?
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I would say solemn rather than sad but this quickly vanishes when an Arab smiles – we can “smile with our eyes” in the most beautiful way, which is a singular trait. For those who smile or laugh out of malice, which does not behove an Arab, the difference can easily be detected from the act of sincerity.
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I agree with ES…
Arabs have a very serious demeanor about them, which comes off as mysterious, and can thus be interpreted as sadness. I think as Arabs, we not only smile with our eyes, but can fully express ourselves through our eyes. Most Arabs (generally speaking) have big, dark eyes, which are very intense and sometimes we use them to “speak” rather than use verbal expression.
I like the interpretation that Arabs speak from their eyes. Do you think that our Arabic eyes can be easily noticed if they were not dark and big?
Big, dark eyes are an obviously noticable feature. However, eyes don’t have to be big and/or dark to be noticed. Every set of eyes has its own distinctive feature…its own “personality”. Eyes can bring attention to themselves in different ways…through their natural shape, color, or even “sparkle”. Also, the way one uses his/her eyes to look (through stares, glances or even winks…etc)or “speak”… will make one set of eyes distinguishable from another.