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TIPS FOR DEALING AND
SOCIALIZING WITH FOREIGNERS
CAN WE GENERALIZE SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND
ATTRIBUTES OF NATIONS AND PEOPLE?
Can we generalize
and stigmatize particular ethnic characteristics of a nation or a
“people” to define what distinguished their ethnicity from other
groups and social structures?
In other words,
would it be fair and intelligent to represent, describe and depict
people, societies and countries according to suspicions, common
beliefs and stereotyped clichés? Honestly, NO! However, political
experiences and history taught us, that, to a certain degree of
social veracity and historical accuracy, some aspects, facets, way
of life, traditions, culture and social characteristics, including
behavior (individually or globally) could be adhered to the
description of the nature and psyche of a nation and particular
ethnic groups. A world-traveler and a student of mass psychology and
sociopolitical sciences would consider and view various nations and
their nationals quite differently from those who have never left
their homeland, read about people and nations in comparative
history or effectuated transactions with foreigners.
ON ITALIANS:
It is widely believed that Italians love Opera, pasta, the
Pope, Sophia Loren, Dante, their vespa, and from time to time
whistling at a beautiful ragazza in the street.
ON FRENCH:
French
are known for their café-trottoirs, arrogant intellectualism, the
“UN je ne sais quoi”, their academic rhetoric, their passion for
pate, foies gras, escargots, truffles, Victor Hugo’s poems, Napoleon
phantasmagoric military campaigns and victories, and intelligent
dialogues in vintage motion pictures. Also, they could be known for
their disdain of American culture, constantly wearing blue jeans and
snickers.
ON JAPANESE:
Japanese are believed to be
extremely disciplined, traditional, deeply influenced by the code of
Bushido and Budo, their reverence for their ancestors, their mastery
of Sado, tea ceremony, their delightful Zen Buddhist calligraphy,
flowers arrangements, the code of honor and chivalry of their
Samurais, and their conceptual invention of the Geisha. To many
observers, Japanese appear to be, the perfect “copiers” of American
products and inventions.
ON GREEKS:
Europeans who worked and lived with Greeks have tendency to believe
that the Greeks are fun people. They enjoy music, particularly
their Bouzoukis, they adore dancing and especially their Sirtaki,
and they are convinced that Marinella is the best singer in the
world, and Xhatjidakhis is the world’s best composer. However, many
Europeans believe that the Greeks were born with a “laisser aller,”
a nonchalant flair and attitude. They are a great company if you are
throwing a party till 5:00, but they are not serious enough to
“seriously” take into consideration contracts they signed and deals
they promise to complete.
ON ARABS:
I have
to catch my breath. More accurately, I have to breath, pause and
breath again, each time I am compelled to write about the Arabs. I
lived and worked with them for over 15 years, in the Middle East,
Near East, Europe and the United States. Even, I wrote books and
bursting articles about the Arabs, their religion and fascinating
history. I know the Arabs extremely very well. And every time, I
dissert on their culture and political ideologies, avalanches of
juxtaposed ideas, mixed feelings and a sense of reluctant fear
invade my being and my mind. Contrary to a global and common belief,
Arabs are not the “same Arabs” you find anywhere and everywhere.
An Arab from Alexandria, or Al Saeed
in Egypt thinks and lives very differently from an Arab or a
Christian Arab from Byblos, Jounieh or Acharafiye in Lebanon. A
Bedouin in the Arab Peninsula believes that the Saudi Royal Family's
power and reign were given by Allah to Al Saoud dynasty. While,
educated Arabs in Tunisia and Lebanon are fully convinced that Allah
had nothing to do with the throne of Al Saoud family. A modern young
Muslim in Beirut, who loves European culture, watches French movies
and “starves” for dating a Christian girl, would nor hesitate a
second to change his Arabic Muslim name into an Europeanized or
Americanized names. For instance, “ADNAN” become “DANY”, and
“RASHED” becomes “ROY”, “REDWAN” become “EDDY”, and “YOUSSEF”
becomes “JOE”. I saw with my own eyes, modern young Muslims in Al
Hamra, Beirut, wearing crosses and icons of Saint Therese instead of
their
“MISHAF” (Book cover of the Quran”, just to
convey the message that they are not Muslims, thus, facilitating
their strategic dating maneuvers to “catch” a Christian Lebanese
woman.
DEALING AND SOCIALIZING WITH JAPANESE
A
Japanese businessman will never rush to agree or disagree with you,
especially if you are Jewish in general and American in particular,
regardless of your original ethnic and religious background. The
very first thing you should expect to hear from a Japanese
businessman upon hearing your business proposal is this very typical
cliché “Possible, very possible”. He never replies by “Yes” or “No”.
He always takes his time; at least one or two days before he gives
you a definitive answer. He never consults with his wife or members
of his family. His business decisions are solely made upon
strategic, geographic, sales reasons and corporate analysis. Deep
down in their psyche, Japanese remain cautious in dealing with their
Jewish counterparts and American “monopolists”. They strongly
believe that Jewish businessmen are aggressive, manipulative and
extremely bright. This conception led them a priori to
believe that Jewish businessmen will always try to sell their
products and services by using a “non-argumentative rhetoric” and a
series of presentations documented with market analysis, sales
numbers, colorful examples and graphs of savings and cutting
expenses. Consequently, they feel that they have to prepare
themselves to deal with the “Jewish numbers" and verify the
statistics provided by their Jewish counterparts. They
also believe that Americans are lazy and extremely playful. Not
necessarily happy people, yet extremely resourceful, positive and
creative.
The majority of Japanese businessmen
who are involved with import-export, consumers goods and retail
industry taught themselves to believe that “Americans constant
complaints about everything and anything, distorted social values,
hostile takeovers, unmerciful business competitions, Wall Street
stocks hysteria, families dysfunction, cheap, casual and easy sex,
financial and economical auto-sufficiency and uncontrollable freedom
prevent Americans for gaining the trust of other nations, and
eventually, one day, America’s economical, financial, industrial and
political might will collapse.” But for the time being, Japanese
businessmen consent that Americans are doing great and are
constantly creating and producing magnificent products in many
sectors and endeavors. Thus, Japanese corporate executives decided
to teach their employees and sales representatives to capture the
moment and learn as much as possible about the most advanced forms
and aspects of American science and technology. Stealing from
Americans, copying American products, ameliorating their results and
effectiveness do not offend the morality and the sacred way of life
(Do in Japanese and Tao in Chinese) of industrial Japanese.
The
majority of the older Japanese generation does not highly respect
black Americans. The former prime minister of Japan in one of his
public speeches demonstrated this racial bias. The younger
generation could or would care less. Japanese students attending
Japanese universities and institutions of higher learning believe
that Americans do not have a solid and valid cultural heritage.
The universities professors who are
over 50 years of age constantly remind their students that Americans
have no discipline, no code of ethics, no loyalty and no
individuality. However they admit that Americans are extremely
resourceful, fun and entertaining, overwhelmingly humanitarian, and
believe it or not brave and courageous. This is strange. Because,
for years, Japanese believed that Americans are coward and are
unable or unwilling to fight, to protect their own country and even
themselves. This is a deeply rooted conviction which goes back as
far as the second world war.
DEALING AND SOCIALIZING WITH
IRANIANS
Iranians
are diametrically different from the Japanese. Generally, an Iranian
businessman or just any ordinary Iranian person (man or woman) is
extremely engaging, loves to argue and to ask many questions. And
quite often, his or her answer takes the form of a question. Expect
to frequently hear this word “Really?” upon conversing with an
Iranian. If he or she says “Really?” once, this means that he or she
is still wondering and or doubting your intentions. If he or she
repeats the word “Really” twice, this means that the Iranian person
is seriously “questioning” your ability to deliver and or the
sincerity of your intentions. Iranian people have a high level of
self-esteem and self-respect.
They are among the most generous
people in the world. They might not keep their promises all the
time, but when they begin to like you or trust you, their generosity
and their “extra mile” friendship will overwhelm you. Iranians who
have traveled abroad and lived for a while in western societies
where they had the opportunities to deal with Jewish businessmen,
have tendency to have more trust and faith in Jews than in their own
people. This is very true, especially if they are dealing with
Iranians merchants who are in the business of used (second hand)
goods. A former Iranian associate of mine, once told me: “It takes 5
Arabs to fool one Jew and 10 Jews to fool one Iranian.” Just like
the Afghanistanis and Pakistanis, the majority of Iranian
businessmen who live and work in the United States, especially in
large and cosmopolitan American cities don’t fully trust Americans.
TIPS FOR DEALING AND
SOCIALIZING WITH IRANIANS.
They
have no respect for American codes of ethics and social/moral
values. They consider the American society as “a decadent and
immoral cell”. Thus, fully trusting American businessmen is not
highly recommended. Yet, 87% of men who go regularly to strip joints
in Washington, D.C. and particularly in the Georgetown’s North West
area and on Wisconsin Avenue (Maryland Bethesda’s area) are
Iranians. So much for Islamic ethical standards!! Iranians are very
fond of American technology and gadgets. Their children’s rooms are
filled with American gadgets, toys and juvenile tools. The Iranian
middle class loves “Wall Mart” stores. The Iranian high society is
very picky and usually buys the very best and the most expensive
items, and believe it or not, la crème de la crème of the Iranian
society loves to do business with American Jews. Iranian women of
the upper middle class and the high society are extremely elegant,
love to shop at expensive department stores and are unconcerned with
what their men think about Jews and Americans. They love to buy
Israeli products. They buy the most expensive dresses, gowns, shoes
and feminine apparels, usually designed by Jewish or Israeli
designers and couturiers. It is a fact that wealthy Iranian women
adore the fine jewelry and world-class diamonds sold by Jews in
Antwerp, London and New York. If they can afford expensive gowns and
dresses, they buy it in a heart beat. If they cannot afford it, they
stand in front of the boutique display window, take a pen and a
stack of papers and copy the model. They rush home to ask Myriam or
Nour their dressmakers to copy the dress. The majority of Iranian
women I met in large American and European cities was resourceful
and tricky, but generous to a fault. Back home, they act and live
according to social prerequisites and rules imposed by a society
made for and by men. Abroad, and particularly in Paris, Rome,
London, Washington, D.C., New York and Los Angeles, they explore all
the possibilities life has to offer. I literarily mean all
possibilities. The upper class is fun, bright, highly educated,
classy and shrewd. The middle class refuses to live as a middle
class. The lower class in Iran is pure misery. Abroad, it becomes
very creative and daring.
Iranian
women love dresses and gowns designed by Jewish extravagant
designers. Per contra, Iranian men don’t. Soraya, the former
empress of Iran (Ex-wife of the Shah who divorced her to marry Farah
Diba) was considered to be as one of the most beautiful and most
elegant women in the world. Soraya’s imperial wardrobe was designed
by Jewish and Christian couturiers at Christian Dior and Balmain in
Paris, France. From the beginning of time, Iranian women were known
to be extravagantly elegant. Their love for fashion started some
5,000 years ago with Anou Sherwan Kisrah, founder of ancient Iran.
From that moment in history, through the epochs of Darius the great,
the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Hebrews and passing by the
era of the Ottoman empire, the lavish days of Sultan Abdel Hamid and
crossing the Tuscany, and reaching in the late 18th century the
doors of Armenia, Anatolia, Georgia, Latvia, Russia and eastern
Europe, Iran was the center of international fashion for women,
royalties, rulers, monarch, kings and queens. Their red and green
silk which was the envy of the world was woven and manufactured by
Armenian, Persian and Jewish artisans and dressmakers.
DEALING AND SOCIALIZING WITH ARABS
Although
many Arabs are as fanatic as the Iranians, they remain quite
different from the Persians. Nevertheless, they have many things in
common, such as exemplary generosity, a great appetite for life,
love and passion for buying the best and finest things in life,
driving flashy dashy cars, jewelry, golden Dupont cigarettes
lighters, gold and diamonds. They love women, music and group
dancing. They are very protective of their women and the honor and
the reputation of their families is “sacred and holy”. An Arab
businessman will not hesitate long before he gives you a compelling
answer to any question you may ask. Particularly in business
matters. Usually, his answer is given on the spot. While dealing
with an Arab, expect a typical Arab emotional attitude. And if you
are a Jew dealing with an Arab or a Muslim, discount 90% of what an
Arab or a Muslim promises you to deliver or honor. If an Arab is
dealing with another Arab, emotion fades away to be replaced by an
exercise of who is going to outsmart or cheat the other.
But if you are a real friend, then you
are safe. Many
Jews in the Near and Middle East, as well as American businessmen
had hard time dealing with Arabs who have never left their Arab
homeland. Like the ancient Hebrews, and according to archaic Sahara
tribal code of honor, Bedouin Arabs, known also as “Badou Rouhal”
believed that one’s word or personal promise is a binding contract.
No written deeds, witnessed contracts or “signed notes “were
necessary”. Unfortunately, modern times’ history taught us that,
those Arab words of honor are not to be trusted. Nowadays, Arabs
themselves do not trust their own people. A famous Arab proverb
goes like this: “Me and my brother against my cousin. And me and my
cousin against the stranger.” Upon doing business with Arabs,
expect to hear these words or phrases:
A- “In Shallah”,
meaning: God’s will or God’s willing or should God allow this or
that to happen.
B- “Khaline
Fakkir”, meaning: Let me think for a while.
C- “Wala Yi
Hemmack”, meaning: Don’t worry at all.
D- “Koulchi Bi
Seer”, meaning: Everything is possible.
Now, if you combine
together, all these phrases and answers in one single sentence, this
is what you get: “If God is willing, let me think, everything is
possible and don’t worry at all, for you have my word of honor.”
Now, figure this out! Confusing? You bet! But the truth is, Arabs
could be fun. As long as an Arab man or woman is not fanatic, you
got to believe it, they make good company. And if you are invited by
an Arab, rest assured, you will be treated like royalty? At what
cost? You will find out.
E- “Wa’ed
Sharaf”, meaning: You have my word of honor. (I am very concerned
about this!)
DEALING AND SOCIALIZING WITH
LEBANESE
I know the Middle
East, more correctly the Near East as good as I know France and the
United States. I used the word “Near East”, because 91% of Americans
think that Lebanon, Syria and Palestine are in the Middle East.
Historically and geographically, this is incorrect.
Understanding the truth and the myth about the dual political
philosophy and its mechanism of the Christian Lebanese and the
Muslim Lebanese is primordial. Just for now, bear in mind that
Muslim Lebanese consider themselves Arabs, while the Christian
Lebanese consider themselves non-Arabs. The majority of the
Christian Lebanese believe and or pretend to be the direct
descendants of the Crusaders. Those who know ancient history,
insist upon the fact that they are the descendants of the
Phoenicians. Understanding this socio-politico religious
differentiation coming from one single social group of a
multi-faceted mosaic of culture, history and divergent traditions is
extremely important and vital. In case you sincerely wish to
understand why some Lebanese are pro Americans and pro-West, while
other Lebanese are anti-Americans and anti-West, this historical
chronological lineage of Christian Lebanese could and would explain
this divergent attitude of the Lebanese toward the West and the
United States. I will elaborate on this delicate issue later on in
this essay.
Many American folks
are mixing apples and oranges, for they don’t know that Lebanon,
Israel, Palestine and Syria ARE NOT in the Middle East. They are in
the NEAR EAST. The French know better because they ruled the region
for almost 25 years, where they established a French government
(Directorate), following the collapse of the Ottoman empire in world
war one. The French, so correctly and very appropriately referred to
those countries as:” LE PROCHE ORIENT” meaning :”THE NEAR EAST”. The
word “Proche” in French means: NEAR. Something else, our folks in
America should know. In the United States, we think that the ORIENT
is Japan, China, Singapore, Hong Kong and surrounding Asiatic
countries, and this is wrong too. In almost 87% of the countries of
the world and more particularly in Europe, France, Belgium, Italy
and Great Britain, the word “ORIENT” means ipso facto, the countries
in the Middle and Near East. European academicians, explorers,
archaeologists, poets and writers know that for a fact, for the
poets and writers of France who visited Lebanon (Loubnan in
Lebanese), Palestine (Phalasteen in Arabic) and Syria (Souria as
called by the Syrians) were referred to as “LES ORIENTALISTES”,
meaning erudite, scholars, poets, novel writers and authors who
wrote essays, poems, history, and novels about Syria, Lebanon and
Palestine, and of course Algeria, Egypt and Morocco. At one time,
even Cyprus was considered as part of the Near East, especially
during the Crusades and the rule of the Templars, the Cathars and
The Knights of the Order of St. John of Malta.
Continues
on the next column
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NEW YORK SOCIALITES
Most talked about in New York Manhattan high
society in pictures...
They are la crème de la
crème of New York society. People love to be seen in their
company, for they are famous, wealthy, sophisticated, chic,
powerful, well-connected, fun...and mon cher ami, they throw the
best parties in town. Sometimes, they are in print because of
their contributions to charitable organizations, appearances they
made at major social functions, controversy they steered up, in
brief, they were written up in the paper for meaningful and
justified reasons. But, sometime, silly stuff, gossips they create
and vanity displays do the trick as well, for instance, "her
husband bought her $4 million diamond ring", or "she is having an
affair with monsieur x or monsieur z or all the alphabets",
sometime, because he "continues to name everything after his name,
hotels, casinos, TV shows and now a university..." or simply
because he or she "insulted a rabbi" or created a Kaballah formula
to grow hair where it is not needed. But generally, they steal the
show and make people talk about them because they are good at what
they do. Wealth has a lot to do with celebrity status in New York.
You could tell me "Isn't the same thing everywhere?", you bet it
is! In Washington, DC, socialites are fueled by and within
embassies receptions and The White House affairs,
occasionally the Kennedy Center honor galas and almost 90% au
tour fancy social gatherings in Georgetown for quite
unnecessary reasons. In New York city, it is everything.
Everything and anything that glitters, especially, money, real
estate big time deals, financial scandals, trials, sophisticated
vernissages, premieres, Broadway's grand entrance and grand
finale, fall down and fallout of a tycoon or a powerful celebrity,
ad infinitum...Grosso mode, what makes New York city a most unique
social rosary is the geographically rich faces, demeanors,
spirit, sophisticated blend of an unheard of Martini cocktail, a
$9,000 handbag and refined intellectualism on the verge of
absurd chic!
Photo from left to
right: A lucky and most
unique photo for famous social figures including Dame Elizabeth
Esteve-Coll, Melanie Clore, Lady Sainsbury, Colleen and Javier Baz.
 
Photos from left to right: #1.Glenn Close. #2. Isabelle Huppert.
 
Photo from
left to right: #1. Carroll Petrie,
Marco Maccioni, and Jamee Gregory. #2.
Bobby Liberman
and Barbara Liberman.
  
Photos from left to right. #1.
Patrick McCarthy,
Chairman and Editorial
Director of Fairchild Publications. #2.
Joanie Schnitzer Levy
and Candy Hamm. #3. Aileen Mehle.
  
Photos from left to right: #1.
Steven Rockefeller and Kimberly Rockefeller. #2. Olicia
Chantecaille. #3. Patricia Duff.
  
Photos from left to right: #1.
Evelyn Lauder. #2. Bob Kerry. #3. Kitty Hawks.
  
Photos from left to right: #1.
Joanne de Cardiola. #2. Victoria Hagan. #3. Mary Snow.
 
Photos from left to
right: #1. Jamee Gregory. #2. Michele Herbet.
Photos from left to right: #1. Monica
Crowley. #2 Donald Trump.
  
Photos from left to right: Queen Noor of
Jordan. #2. Mayor Bloomberg. #3. Laura Savini.
  
Photos from left to right: Janet Wallach.
#2. Madonna. #3. Cornelia Guest.
 
Photos from left to right: #1. Nan
Kempner. #2. Libby Pataki. #3. Bettina Zilka.
  
Photos from left to right: #1. Darren
Walker. #2. Debbie Bancroft. #3 Leonard Lauder.
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Continued from TIPS FOR DEALING AND SOCIALIZING WITH FOREIGNERS
The word “ORIENT” could also be
used as the Arab Middle East. In Arabic it is called “AL SHARK”. The greatest
singer of the Arab world was OUM KALTHOUM.
The Arabs called her “KAWKAB AL
CHARK”, meaning the star of the Orient. So it is time to realize that the Orient
is not Japan or an exotic region in far Asia but, the countries of the Middle
and Near East. Nowadays, many Pakistanis, Saudis, Arab Gulf citizens and
stretched Islamic countries beyond the fertile crescent of the Middle/Near East
consider their countries are part of the Orient, part of the Middle East, for
one single reason: THEIR TIE AND BOND WITH ISLAM AND THE ISLAMIC COUNTRIES OF
THE AREA. This is very funny, because Pakistan which is beyond India has nothing
to do ecologically and geographically with countries of the Near/Middle East.
Pakistan is very very far away from the Near/Middle East.
The first
time, many American folks heard about Lebanon, was around 1947-1948 when members
of the Arab League, King Abdallah of Jordan, Princes of the family of Bin Saoud,
Prime Minister of Syria, El Khoury (The very first and only Christian Syrian
Prime Minister), the circle of the Syrian President Chawki Al Kuwatly, The
Hachimites in Jordan (Al Ourdon in Arabic) and fragments of the Lebanese
military attacked the newly formed State of Israel.
The second time was, when President Eisenhower sent the marines
to the shores of Lebanon upon the urgent request of the Christian (Maronite)
president of Lebanon, Camille Chamoun who was fighting for his skin and for the
supremacy and lives of the Christian minority in Lebanon who where in power
(back then.)
The third time was around 1975, when the Palestinians invaded
Lebanon and established their camps in dirty Muslim areas of Beyrouth with the
help of Lebanese Muslims arch-enemies of the Christian Lebanese and more
precisely the Maronites (Oriental-Near Eastern Catholics). At that time in
history, Christian Lebanese were decimated and slaughtered by the Palestinians
and their cities were reduced to rubbles and ashes. Hold your horses, Christian
extremists and more particularly Christians Phalanges or Phalangists lead by
Cheik Pierre Al Gemayel’s son “Bachir”, head of the Christian Party of the
Phalangists called in Arabic “Akl Khataeb” were as brutal, bloody, vengeful and
sanguinary as the Muslims themselves!!
The fourth time was, when Henry Kissinger (following the visit of
his Eminence Cardinal Bertolli, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Vatican who
tried to negotiate a truce between the fighting parties in Lebanon and to deal
with Syria’s military Occupation of Lebanon and its huge military command post
in the region of the valley of Al Bekaa) tried to convince the Christians to
give up the fight!!! True?, may be not.
But this is what I heard from
many influential Lebanese politicians, foreign diplomats and bloody killers in
the streets of Sabra, Verdum, Achrafiyeh, Mazraa, Mousaytbeh, Al Manara, Wadi
Abou Jmil, Al Burj in Beyrouth. I heard even more damaging testimonies and
stuff such as (According to the Christian Maronites and senior Christian
military commanders of the regular Lebanese Army in Yarze) the quasi-resolution,
proposals and semi-official negotiations and plan of evacuation proposed by the
American government via Dr. Henry Kissinger rotated around convincing the
Christians in Lebanon, to end up the fight and leave Lebanon. For Kissinger
assured them that all the Christians who would leave Lebanon, will be welcomed
to live and work in Canada and in the United States. If this is true, well,
folks, this is very damaging to the image of our government and extremely
embarrassing to all of us. I have some reservations and doubts about those
rumors, for I know for sure that Dr. Kissinger is an honorable man and a peace
lover. I am just truthfully reporting what I heard from authoritative sources.
The fifth, sixth, seven and millionth times, we heard about Lebanon, were
and still are, when we talk and hear about terrorists, terrorism, bombings,
massacring children, kidnapping and blowing up airplanes, fundamental Islamic
groups, Hiz Bull’Ah, attacks on Israel, etc., ad infinitum. Today,
unfortunately, this is the picture we have about Lebanon and about the Lebanese;
a bunch of guerillas, murderers and terrorists!! But the truth is quite
different. Lebanon has more churches and monasteries than any other country in
the Middle and Near East. For centuries, Lebanon was the refuge and the shelter
for the persecuted Christians in Armenia, Anatolia, Asia Minor, Turkey, Syria,
Egypt and other Islamic countries in the region.
It is unconceivable and unfair
to call all Lebanese bloody killers. How about those Christian Lebanese, their
monks, their nuns, their ascetic hermits, their saints and their martyrs? Did we
forget about them? The truth about the Lebanese people was distorted. Many of
the Muslim Lebanese who live in Beyrouth, Tripoli, Deir Al Kamar, Antara, Bekaa,
Nabatiyeh, Basta and many other Muslim areas are as peaceful as the most
peaceful people in the world. Many of them fought the barbaric Muslim empire of
Turkey and died as martyrs. The most generous, forgiving and loving people I met
in my life, in the 46 countries I have visited, were Muslim Lebanese.
Lebanon was once upon a time the
great Ancient country of Phoenicia which invented the Alphabet, created the
world’s first Papyrus in the city of Byblos (Today, it is called Jbeil),
discovered the world’s first maritime royal dye “ Al Ourjouwan” (The Color of
Kings and Queens of the Antiquities) on the shores of the city of Sidon (Today
it is called Saida) and established the world’s first Masonic order, rites,
rules and lodges “Invented” by King Hiram (The correct name in Phoenician and
Aramaic is Ahiram or Hiram), king of Tyre (Today it is called Sour). King Ahiram
wedded his daughter to King Solomon. Hiram’s masons and architects built the
Temple of Solomon with stones from the land of Lebanon and Cedar woods from the
very high mountains of Lebanon, located in the region of Al Arz. So, Lebanese
had a majestic history. One of the
five greatest generals of the ancient world and probably of all time was
Hannibal of Carthage. He was Phoenician. He was from Lebanon.
Not all Lebanese are bloody killers as we were led
to believe. Some fanatic fundamentalists in Lebanon are. They are killers, but
the Majority of Lebanese are not. So if you have read your Bible (Old or New
Testament), you would know by now a lot of things and a lot of history about
Lebanon (Ancient Phoenicia), including but not limited to Jesus visit to the
Lebanese city of Saida, the sea travel departure spot of St. Paul near the
Lebanese city of Jbeil, the Temple of Solomon, etc… And if you are a student of
ecclesiastic and theological studies and the history of the first Christian
churches, you already know that Lebanon was the cradle of Christianity. The very
first Christian churches were not built in Rome but, in Lebanon and Antioch. In
the United States, as well as in numerous Christian countries, the Catholic mass
is celebrated and officiated in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish,
etc., sometimes part of it is offered to the worshipers in Latin. But did you
know that the only country in the world where the Christian mass is still
offered in the original tongue of Jesus Christ is Lebanon? The Christian priests
and monks in Lebanon recite prayers and read the Bible in Aramaic, the native
language of Jesus Christ. Christian Lebanese know more about Christian love,
peace and Christian martyrdom than any of those big mouth politicians on
Capitol Hill.
You will learn from the Bible,
from the Psalms, from the Poems of Solomon, from the prophecies of the prophets
of Israel, from the terra-cotta and tablets of Babylonia, Luxor, Ougarit, Ain
Shamra, Antioch, Assyria, Hyskos, etc., etc., etc., that ancient Lebanese were
the natural allies of the Israelites and beloved neighbors of Israel!! Of
course, things have changed now
because of the influence of the Islamic world, the military strength of their
Arab neighbors and the implication of the American foreign policies. So, this
historical expose tells us a lot about the psyche and way of life of Christian
and Muslim Lebanese. Lebanon is a very complex and intriguing country. Many
regions of Lebanon look like European cities. And once upon a time, the "old"
Beirut was called the Paris and the Switzerland of the Middle and Near East. The
Christian regions are typically French. The Muslim regions are typically Muslim
Arab. The modern and cultured Lebanese Muslim could be very sophisticated and a
world-traveler. He/she learned from the West, all the glitzy manners, arts,
savoir-faire, fashion, and plastic way of life.
The uneducated Lebanese Muslim is more resistant to
changes of time. He/she thinks, acts and lives 100% according to strict Islamic
rules, codes and way of life. It is often very difficult for a Westerner and
particularly Americans to harmoniously and successfully deal with traditional
and rigid Lebanese Muslims, if they are not familiar with Islamic ideology. For
everything in the daily life of a Muslim is in strict conformity with the
teachings of the Quran and the verbal teachings and dialogues of Prophet
Mohammad which are in sharp contrast with Western ideologies and lifestyles. The
Christian Lebanese is more "equipped" to successfully dealing with Westerners,
for they were taught by Europeans, French missionaries and many Christian
Lebanese who studied in France. Besides, all Christian children and adults have
attended schools shaped after the French lyceums and centers of learning.
However, both Christian and Muslim Lebanese, despite the enormous difference in
their lifestyles, religion and visions of the world, have many things in common
such as; very solid and traditional respect for the elderly, their teachers and
their families ;code of honor and importance of a verbal agreement in business
transactions; protecting the orphan; legendary hospitality; unsurpassed
generosity; creative resourcefulness; love for music and poetry; elegance;
superb cuisine; colorful jokes, and above all, shrewd and clever negotiating
maneuvers.
End of the article.
Men want to be
pampered, too
Eye gels,
anti-wrinkle creams, hot shaves are in big demand
It's not
just style-conscious A-types who are spending time grooming
themselves these days. The guy next door is buying accessories,
treating himself to good food and drink and paying attention to
how he looks and feels. So businesses are courting today's
responsive man. We found two places devoted to male grooming and
-- surprise! -- they carry products a woman would love, too.
Continues on the next column
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Unknown Amazing Facts About New York.
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______________________________
HIGH SOCIETY: ETIQUETTE
AMERICAN NOUVELLE SOCIAL ELITE
VERSUS THE INTERNATIONAL ELITE
Brief Analogy:
Differences and Similarities
ON HOUSING, HOMES, RESIDENCES AND MANSIONS
American nouvelle elite:
1-Many of them live in
apartments and condominiums.
2-Apartments and
condominiums are scattered in different areas of the city.
3-They might buy a
previously owned homes.
4-They trade houses.
5-Many look upon the
purchase of a home as “investment”.
6-Some build their own
mansions.
7-Some purchase new
residences.
International elite:
1-Very
few of them lives in apartments or condominiums, unless, if they
have traded or sold their homes to move into the city for business
purposes.
2-Elite
apartments are called apartments and not condominiums. Big deal!
Please don’t call fruit jelly “jelly” in their presence. Marmalade
is more appropriate and proper. The same mambo-jumbo jargon
applies to condos and apartments. They are categorically located
in particular and well-known areas. Usually, old and traditionally
established neighborhoods.
3-Their
homes and mansions were built for their families years ago. This
is why and how they inherited those mansions and lived in them for
years. Some families (present and past members) lived in the same
place for hundreds of years.
4- The
entire residence has one cache, one style. If the style is Louis
XIV, everything is Louis XIV. Very inconvenient, because many of
those collected or preserved antiques and furniture pieces are not
comfortable or are very delicate to sit on! Bring your own chair
with you, just to be on the safe side!
5-If the
residence has a very austere and traditional ambience, the colors
of the walls become dark and somber. Burgundy and dark royal blue
colors dominate everywhere, they are the “couleur de preference”,
even in the water closets and powder rooms. If the woman is the
one who wears pants in the house, then the dark colors would
change to pastel and champagne rose colors.
6-They don’t trade houses
and locations.
7-They always built their
own mansions and never purchased a new one, except when they buy
or rent ski cabins, beach cabins and bungalows on the Riviera,
Biarritz, St. Raphael, Ibiza and Rio de Janeiro.
8-They don’t buy their
furniture and ornamental items from one single place, store,
shops, boutique or gallery. They want to be eclectic and different
yet, they want to remain “purely” classic. Try to figure it out!!
9-They never buy art
reproductions. But gladly will purchase a fake masterpiece if the
husband can sell it to foreigners, most preferable to Americans
who don’t know much about art.
10-Many of their residence
are “museums”. Culture, education, arts, history, style, elegance
and wealth are every where, in every room, even in the attic.
ON MONEY:
American nouvelle elite:
1-Money is extremely
important. Bank accounts and credit history are primordial.
2-Wealth is displayed quite
often.
3-Money is used in and for
big deals, investment, shopping, travels, cruises, charitable
causes, children education, stocks, corporate shares and alike.
International
elite:
1-Money is secondary. First,
comes the historical background of the family.
2-Wealth is there. It is
never displayed but everybody knows about it, except the tax
people!
3-Money remains in the
family for generations.
4-Only business people and
merchants use money to invest.
5-They carry a lot of cash
wherever they go.
6-They purchase very
expensive wallets for their cash and “carte de visit”. In the
States, we call “carte de visit”: Business Cards. In many foreign
countries, the word “Business” is replaced by the word “Visit”.
Many of those pockets wallets have initials in gold. Sometimes,
initials in gold are engraved on dark black Chinese lacquer. Some
got to match the initials on their platinum Cartier and golden
Dupont cigarette lighters. Very complicated life, isn’t it?? But,
I know, you will enjoy it if you can afford it.
ON SHOPPING, FOOD AND TABLE MANNERS
American nouvelle elite:
1-They
talk a lot about the expensive things they buy. They brag about
it.
2-They
love to show off and talk about the costly food and menus they
served in their parties.
3-They
shop at expensive department stores, boutiques and gourmets
specialty stores.
4-They
love to be seen at those fancy and ritzy department stores and
boutiques.
5- They
eat the way they want to eat. Silverware or by hand is fine, as
long as it is appropriate for the occasion.
International elite:
1-Talking about food, drink and expensive shopping is considered
low class. Even thought, they want you to know which stores and
boutiques they bought their stuff from and shop at.
2-Goods, clothes and special items
are pre-reserved and sent to them by packages.
3- Premieres are reserved for them.
Meaning, they got to be the first to look at the merchandise. They
must be notified before anybody else about the arrival and
availability of the best and latest trends, collections and
special editions.
4-They never show up at expensive
places for public attention.
5-
Eating protocol and etiquette are religiously observed. You do not
eat with your hands. Even, the tiny piece of olive must be cut or
sliced with a knife and brought gently to your mouth with the
proper fork. Folks, I am getting hungry! Oh Jesus, what did I say?
Folks? No..no..no.. jamais de la vie, this word is nor proper at
all. We should never call friends and relatives “folks”.
6-They
never make noise when they eat. Meaning, American crunchy food
that make “crunchy” noise is never allowed at table or anywhere
else.
7-They
eat salads at the end of meal. Lunch and dinner always ends with a
cup of tea or a fine liqueur. Never call “Cognac” brandy! Unless,
you are a private in the British infantry!
8-Sandwiches are allowed if they are “minced and elegantly
proportioned and shaped” and served in picnics. Meaning, big Mac
and Double Cheese Burger are off limit.
9-They don’t wrap or keep
their food, sandwiches, petit four, hors d’oeuvre, casse-croute
and snack in plastic, zippers, paper bags and alike. Instead,
delicate napkins, clothes and serviettes are used.
10-They
never drink straight up from the bottle and never use their
fingers for eating and grabbing food.
11-They
never begin to eat at table, before the lady of the house or the
host begins to eat first. If children start to eat before their
mother and father, they will be lectured. And if they do it again,
they will be punished.
12-You
are not allowed to make very funny jokes that make you laugh loud
and widely open your mouth!
ON ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS
American
nouvelle elite:
1-A
daughter of a US President can and would marry any man she wants,
even if her father and mother might object.
2-Elaborate wedding ceremonies and receptions are quite frequent.
However, marriages at small chapels and at government offices
before a clerk or a judge of peace are quite common.
3-Couples might rehearse their wedding ceremonies. Others care
less. Some chapels in Las Vegas will do the trick.
4-Tuxedos might be required to attend receptions.
5-Gifts
might be offered before or during the receptions and at weddings.
International elite:
1-Few
will allow their daughters to marry a man who is below their
social level. Marrying a military man of a low rank is shameful. A
popular saying goes like this: “Borne come un militaire”, meaning
stupidly limited like
a military man.
By the standards of old aristocratic families, military men are
considered vulgar because they eat too much chicken.
2-Wedding gifts are always
sent before you show up.
3-Marriages ceremonies are
big affair. Couples get married in churches, big ones with as many
priests as possible. The number of officiating priests reflects
your importance in society and your wealth. It is highly desirable
and highly recommended to have bishops at your wedding ceremony.
The same applies to your funerals.
4-Couples never rehearse
publicly. In fact, they never rehearse at all, unless one of them
is royalty.
DO NOT MISS THE SPECIAL
ARTICLE BY MAXIMILLIEN de LAFAYETTE ON THE GOLD DIGGERS OF NEW
YORK...
READ IT NEXT SUNDAY
______________________________ Continued from "PAMPER ME" IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SKIN
Neither Graham Bingham nor co-owner Robert
Graham had retail experience when they opened Momentum a year ago,
which, says Bingham, "was probably the key to our success." Going
by instinct as much as anything, they created a gender-neutral
environment, avoided manly cliches such as animal skins, and then
stocked the 1,200-square-foot Burrard Street shop with products
they would buy themselves. Momentum focuses on three areas:
shaving, aging and complexion problems. The best-selling item in
the shop is Sharps Kid Glove Shave Gel, "which woman like as much
as men," says Graham.
Rounding out the top three sellers are an
anti-wrinkle cream and an eye treatment. "Dynamic Lift is like
Botox in a bottle, it takes out the lines in the forehead --
common to men -- and relaxes crow's feet while Rejuvenating Under
Eye Gel takes out puffiness, dark circles and brightens the eye
area," says Graham. Just for male models and show-business types?
No, says Bingham. "The majority of our customers are professional
men in the public eye. They have to look sharp but they also put
in long hours, which takes its toll." Momentum's client base
extends to New York as well as across Canada, because "so many
clients travel for business. When in town they come in and stock
up," says Bingham. Any surprises? "We expected to start with gay
clients, then build to a wider market,' says Graham. "It has
proven the opposite." Surprise really went out the window, he
adds, when "longshoremen came in for face protection, construction
guys for hand products, and Gen-Xers bought badger shaving
brushes."
A CORNER OF THEIR OWN
When Doria & Co. Salon and Spa in Surrey
opened its barbering corner two years ago, the goal was to "create
an environment of creature comforts, including TV, good magazines,
shaving memorabilia and antique barber chairs," says Mike Jones, a
salon co-owner along with Doria sisters Adriana and Sandra.
"There's even an autographed Bobby Orr hockey jersey," "I wanted a
section within the salon where my dad would be comfortable coming
for a haircut," he adds. " Yet, it was also important to attract
boomers who like personal service and young guys into retro style
like our hot shave with a straight razor."
Male clients are still in a big room
with "a bunch of women," says Jones "but attention to them is
discreet, so they zone out and read a paper or watch TV sports.
Little things like having a glass of beer or wine also puts them
at ease." Skin, scalp and neck massages are part of the hot-shave
experience, which includes the application of Dermalogica for
cleansing and Mont Source shave and after-shave products. This
pampering often leads men to try other spa services they may not
have considered before. Jones explains that when "a man gets
comfortable with this level of consideration, he finds it easier
to try deep-tissue massage and other spa treatments." The biggest
surprise? "That the older client who has spent his life getting $6
to $12 hair cuts is now spending money on himself." By Kenny
Moore.
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
Elizabeth Taylor shines at new AIDS Center
dedication in Los Angeles
Elizabeth Taylor smiles as she
arrives at the Moulin de Mougins restaurant, May 22, 2003. Taylor
dedicated the UCLA Clinical AIDS Research and Education Center.
Swathed in jewels and bathed in
the spotlight, Elizabeth Taylor made a rare but regal public
appearance to dedicate the new UCLA Clinical Research and
Education Center. The 73-year-old actress, who has had severe back
problems in recent years, was dressed in a cream-coloured jacket
over a billowy black pantsuit. Dozens of bracelets hung from her
arms and a massive diamond lit up her left hand. In front of an
intimate crowd that included rocker Tom Petty and actress Carrie
Fisher, Taylor, who was in a wheelchair, cut a red ribbon to
signify the centre's official opening and announced the creation
of the Elizabeth Taylor Endowment Fund. The endowment will support
the centre through grants and private donations. Taylor, who won
Academy Awards for 1960's Butterfield 8 and 1966's Who's Afraid of
Virginia Woolf?, said she has traded in the life of an actress for
that of an activist. "Acting is, to me now, artificial," she told
The Associated Press. "Seeing people suffer is real. It couldn't
be more real. Some people don't like to look at it in the face
because it's painful. But if nobody does, then nothing gets done."
Taylor helped establish the American Foundation for AIDS Research
in 1985 and created the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation in 1991.
The two organizations have raised a combined $243 million US to
fund research and improve the lives of people with HIV and AIDS.
"There's still so much more to do," Taylor said. "I can't sit back
and be complacent, and none of us should be. I get around now in a
wheelchair, but I get around." The new centre will conduct
research and bring innovative treatments to patients, bridging
Taylor's two charities, said Dr. Edwin Bayrd, director of the UCLA
AIDS Institute. He called the actress "the Joan of Arc of AIDS
activism." Although the subject was serious, Taylor, married eight
times to seven men, lightened the mood when UCLA Chancellor Albert
Carnesale confessed to having had a "puppy love" infatuation with
the actress. "Are you married?" she asked him.
U.S. ambassador jokes about language
barrier between Canada, southern U.S.
Canadians have a warmer attitude
towards Americans than news reports sometimes suggest, says U.S.
Ambassador David Wilkins. In a
sometimes light-hearted speech delivered in his home state of
South Carolina on Thursday, Wilkins said Americans nonetheless
have to be mindful of what they say. The new ambassador, who
arrived in Ottawa last June, said he learned that lesson when
comments he made about U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber made
headlines for weeks. "They give great importance to what we say
and what we do," Wilkins said. "Anything you say is scrutinized
and given attention to," he told business leaders at the South
Carolina Chamber of Commerce. The former South Carolina House
speaker may have shocked his former colleagues when he greeted
them in French, but he later went on to explain the language
barrier also applies to English-speaking people in Canada who may
not understand some Southern ways of saying things. "There's no
Canadian equivalent of 'y'all,' " Wilkins said. "So I have to
explain to my Canadian friends that the plural of y'all is 'all
y'all.' " Wilkins also said he once spent 15 minutes explaining
about a campaign event called a "peanut boil." Things got a little
clearer when the Canadian reporters he was talking to realized he
wasn't saying "bowl."
Yoko Ono apologizes for McCartney dig
Yoko Ono poses in New York's Central
Park near the Strawberry Fields memorial to her slain husband,
John Lennon.
Yoko Ono has apologized to Paul
McCartney for insinuating that his songs are trite. Accepting an
award on behalf of John Lennon last month, Ono said Lennon had
sometimes felt insecure about his songs, asking "why they always
cover Paul's songs and never mine." "I said, 'You're a good
songwriter, it's not June with spoon that you write."' After
reports of the apparent slight circulated, Ono apologized in the
latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine, now on newsstands. "I
certainly did not mean to hurt Paul, and if I did, I am very
sorry," she says. McCartney has sometimes clashed with Ono,
Lennon's widow. She objected when McCartney reversed the
traditional "Lennon-McCartney" songwriting credit on his 2002
album, Back in the U.S. Ono's spokesman accused him of attempting
to "rewrite history." McCartney had earlier complained that Ono
wouldn't let him take credit for Yesterday, a song written
entirely by McCartney.
 A
HIDDEN LITERARY TREASURE IN NEW YORK
Photo: New Yorker author,
Ilil Arbel wrote a masterpiece.
How much do you know about Ilil Arbel?
Do you know who Arbel is? If you have been sleeping for long time,
or if you do not read books, allow me, cher compatriote to inform
you that Ilil Arbel, Ph.D., author of the masterpiece "THE LEMON
TREE" lives and works in New York City.
Photo: "THE LEMON TREE" by writer
extraordinaire, Ilil Arbel. One of the best writers of our time.
This book is really a masterpiece.
Arbel's book was selected by the
International Herald Daily News in London and the Jewish Post in
New York as one of the 10 best books of the year. The book is de
facto a literary triumph. A heart felt story about a Jewish
Russian family who immigrated to Israel, carrying with them the
seeds of a lemon tree so dear to the heart of their son Sacha who
passed away. Sacha's dream and wish were to see his lemon tree
planted in Israel. You will be touched by the beauty and warmth of
Arbel's style. Bring rays and warmth to your heart: Get a copy of
"THE LEMON TREE". It is a treasure.
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