Comments on: The modern Arab way of sexual selection

By: Dina

Dina — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:23:53 +0000

MONA – your twitter image is GORGEOUS!! (the one where your head is tilted to the side)

By: Dina

Dina — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:15:56 +0000

@Ahmed – well then I’m old too! I barely used emails when I got to know my partner more than 9 years ago. Had not even thought of something like dating sites, maybe they existed, who knows?
And are you sure the smoker-discrimination thing was not a rumour? In European labor law race/ethnicity, gender, religion and worldview (including atheism), age, sexual orientation and disability is included.
Obviously all of these traits are not to be changed (with the exception of religion/worldview, which is believed to be an entirely personal issue), and they do not affect your value as an employee itself (of course there can be women, Muslims, Russians, gays who do not work well – but not BECAUSE they are female or Muslim or foreigner).
So with smoking – it’s a habit. Even an addiction, which can be seen as something negative in itself.

I don’t see why smoking should be protected from negative talk. I do believe it should not be banned – what is next? Fat smelly food? i am WAY more bothered by disgusting McDonald’s smells in the subway than with smokers sitting next to me. Cold fat in paper packages is one of the nastiest smells…
There needs to be some freedom on what people can do without excessive limitation. But it is no discrimination if you talk negatively about the pretty nasty habit of smoking.

And also regarding alcohol: There’s differentiation that needs to be made. Fine wine culture in Italy and other parts of Europe is something outstanding. And even healthy if it’s not more than one (wine) glass per day. I love wine, and make a sharp differentation to what is normally referred to “drinking” where people get close to unconsciousness over disgusting hard drinks

Btw strangely also in the Muslim country Turkey there is one fine alcoholic beverage – Raki. Anis liquor. Delicious with the traditional meaty starters that go with it.
So I’d personally not count people who enjoy a smoke or a drink in very reasonable amounts with the “addicts”

And yes – the captcha gets more and more brain wrecking

By: Oksana

Oksana — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 05:52:19 +0000

I should register for Arab lounge. So many stories about it! hehe

By: Hicham

Hicham — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:09:28 +0000

Mona, this reminds me with some paper magazines published in the Arab world whey they use to publish ‘short bio’ for “He” & “She” in a way that makes me always laugh.

Don’t let me start talking about the ‘Bureau of Marriage’ where they told you that ‘The Computer’ is finding a match for you. Oh GOD! and if they matched-couples married then problems occurs, I bet they will tell you that the computer were ‘hacked’ or even ‘virused’

By: Ahmad

Ahmad — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:45:09 +0000

@Moonstar Silverwolf I am waiting for the law makers to criminalize smoking and trading of tobacco

By: Moonstar Silverwolf

Moonstar Silverwolf — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:11:31 +0000

@Ahmad really? well, then I'll put money away for that then, because I discriminate against smokers and I do not apologize for it. It's your choice whether you want to smoke, not mine. It's not the same as your gender, race, orientation, nationality.

By: Ahmad

Ahmad — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:43:58 +0000

@Moonstar Silverwolf I was told once by a friend who spent some time in UK, that if you complain about a smoker's odor, they can sue you with a discrimination charge

By: Sapphire

Sapphire — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:35:58 +0000

I agree kissing a smoker is nasty. I am not big on the drinking booze part either from my own painful past experience with alcoholics. Booze makes people act stupid and keeps the police and the ER busy. Not to mention drunks have a nasty habit of keeping their neighbours awake with their partying.

By: Mona

Mona — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:05:54 +0000

@Moonstar Silverwolf I try my best to not sit next to them. If it bothers me so much, I just get up and leave. I rather stand far away than sit down.

By: Moonstar Silverwolf

Moonstar Silverwolf — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:58:49 +0000

@Mona oh yeah, but the thing I hate the most is someone who smokes sitting next to me making me smell their smoke from their clothes and hair, "seriously you smell, don't sit next to me" but I'm way too polite.