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This sign is probably one of the most interesting things I have seen in Doha thus far. It is what I regard as localization at its best. When I first looked at it, I was confused. I thought it was a drawing of a woman and then I realized it was a picture of a man outfitted in the national dress, a dishdasheh. Cool, huh? I mean why should traffic signs here be adorned with drawings of individuals in western attire, particularly when the majority of citizens wear otherwise. I love it! |
I doubt Rivda has read any of these.
I feel sorry for her. And for Sterling. And a few others who bring the walls crashing down on themselves as soon as they open their mouths.
That’s why there’s heavy metal.
I urge all of you to headbang.
I think we did and were right to do so. I just don’t want to get too carried away, which maybe I did, such that we discourage anyone else — perhaps someone new — from posting a contrary opinion for fear of the wrath of personal attacks or even cliques. That’s not what anyone should expect here and with good reason. It stayed clean until Rivda arrived on the scene.
speaking of signs, check this out:
http://tinyurl.com/4ospa
scroll down and look at the sign with the old people. that is not common, but i have seen them in areas where a lot of old people tend to live.
Jeff, im with you. But i think it is important to illustrate Rivda’s rudeness, and move on.
As for the CAPs issue, you are right on the mark.
Sitting here late this evening I do have to add something. The support each of you has shown for your own distinctively personal reasons is wonderful. But I think we all have to maintain and try to keep our responses on the up and up. Personal attacks, even of Rivda (and regardless of the nobleness of their motives), are not necessary. They only seve to lower the standard of discourse.
Although the conversations here may not hit the hightest of heights at all times (and I do love that too), they have always managed to stay above the attacks levelled by Rivda. Even when provoked, I say let’s not let her or anyone’s comments lower our own.
Oh, wow. I can’t believe what just happened there.
Rivda, who the hell do you think you are to go around bashing a woman as wonderful as Natasha just because she doesn’t conform to your idea of what Jordanians should be? The essence of respect for a country and its culture does not lie in staying in a static state and not evolving as the world evolves, it lies in respect.
“Natasha does nothing that is Arab in this chat.” What is Arab to you? Conspiracy theories? Lack of tolerance for technology and evolvement? Being Arab lies in the heart, and that is certainly not for you to judge. What Natasha does is nothing close to bragging, quite the contrary actually.
And all that… for a localized sign? And you call the “Abouni’s” empty-minded?
One last thing, “We also find it annoying that you disclose
every little detail about your life to the rest of the world. ” Who is “we”? You and Jareer?
Natasha 7abeebti, you are doing a heck of a great job, I enjoy reading every single thing you write. Your posts are always insightful, distinctive, and truthful. I’m sure most would agree.
Jeff, lool thanks for the tip. I’ll use that as a future indicator!
I agree with the amazement. Of all the posts on this blog … that this one would draw insults?!?!? Well, it’s surprising. I, for one, love localized signs. A favorites in Jordan is the camel crossing signs along the road to the Dead Sea. I know, I know … that camel thing. But I assure there is not a whit of condescension or stereotype. As a youth, living in the southwest US on an Indian res for a bit, I *acquired* a cow road sign that is still in my parents’ basement somewhere. Why? I think it’s the designation, even the declaration, that this place is different; you’re not in Kansas anymore. I appreciate those differences.
I still wonder about the two or three comments made here that suggest there is a dishdasheh crossing sign somewhere in Jordan. Is there really? Where?
As to the fallout from all of this, I’d say the things here were highly personal, quite insulting and worthy of reply. I’m mystified by the hatred held in some hearts. And Nas, if you didn’t realize it was serious, let me just share with you this secret: When you see Linda using CAPS, it’s serious.
lol guys take it easy…its just a sign 😀
and yes there are many “localized” signs all around jordan although amman seems to be more towards the “tourist/capital city” kind of city, which is good i suppose.
i think the “wow” factor is not that they exist or that we may or may not act like we’ve never seen them, but the fact that they still exist in a region that is becoming more and more americanized.
in the process of americanizing the middle east, i think the ‘wow’ that someone somewhere has managed to preserve a sliver of local culture.
anywho…no need to get personal about it.
this reminds me of high school for some reaso.
Rivda, I guess I can’t add much here and likely shouldn’t since I’m just some American husband whose presence apparently robs legitimacy from my wife’s opinions. But I find your assessment of things so off the mark I have to address a few of the most appalling. First and foremost, where in these pages did you find that honor crimes were denied? That is an absolute lie.
That Natasha chooses to address honor crimes in context (because that’s necessary) and that she chooses not to embrace the work of Norma Khouri in no way suggests she doesn’t believe they occur. If you actually look through these pages you’ll find numerous stories in newswire and comments from her expressing her outrage that they — IN FACT — still occur. Her work alongside Rana Husseini made her far from anything remotely resembling someone in denial.
But worse, for me, is that you demean her ‘Arabness.’ In the US, I used to hear African-Americans do this to one another; a fact that, like this one, I still fail to fully comprehend (we are just people under the skin after all). But here it is so off the mark. Natasha may not like Qatar. There are many Arabs and others that would agree with her there. But she has never EVER … NOT ONE SINGLE TIME expressed anything but love and passion for her home of Jordan.
You greatly misrepresent her as well when you say “she doesn’t even live there.” She has been away 15 months. She lived in Jordan most of her life, spending her childhood until the age of only 7 in Kuwait. That means, Rivda, a great deal of her childhood and the majority of her adulthood was in Jordan. She speaks of what she knows and she knows her country. What part of it do you think she’s not seen? She chooses to discuss the parts that she loves, as is her right. That’s included: Petra, Wadi Rum, Um Qais, Amman and all its many diverse neighborhoods, her home city of Madaba and of course Mt. Nebo, where we were married.
Your impression that she’s a child of Abdoun and West Amman is way off the mark. She is not an Abdounite and never has been. She may have grown up in Shmeisani but that doesn’t make her different from the majority of Jordanians. Nor does it mean that she doesn’t understand them or relate to them. I suppose that’s a matter of opinion, and mine is skewed, but the logic of it is clear.
You think it’s because she went to school in the UK? She attended school there because of a full scholarship from the British Council based upon her academic ability. These are limited scholarships that are very competitive in Jordan. She earned one and earned that degree, as well. It was not how you characterize it.
How galling that you suggest she does not represent the Arab world well. She is proud of the Arab world, knows that it is in need of change and she’s not afraid to address that and consider it. Don’t for a second think that because she’s critical of something it means she’s elitist. She’s earned the right to say what she’s said. If you look across the near decade she’s spent writing about the country and region she loves, you’ll find that with every word there is love in her heart for what she is. If she harbors anything against Qatar, I suppose it’s the fact that it is NOT Jordan.
Rivda, there is something going on with you in all this, of that I am certain. I don’t know why you lash out and why you harbor such hatred. What is your connection or lack thereof (based upon a comment you made previously about leaving) to Jordan? Why do you feed so compelled to besmirch? Who are you to judge? Why is that you believe your experience and perspective to be so on the mark? Because Natasha tried out golf? Are you serious? Were you unable to read between the lines of that posting. It’s sad that your perceptions are so warped that you read it as elitist when it was exactly the opposite.
Rivda, you too have the capacity to make a blog and speak about what you wish. I may not agree, but maybe I will. The dialogue is what is important. I think that regardless of perspective that’s what you’ll find on this blog: a healthy exchange of personal perspective, each valid in its own right.
In my time in Jordan, certainly far from the lifetime of my wife, I met rich, poor, East, West, North and South. All were different in their own way but all — including my wife — were the same in one: they were proud of their kingdom. Natasha is no elitist, nor was she born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She is not less of an Arab than any other. She is intelligent. She is provocative and she is proudly, fiercely Arab. What’s your excuse?