british opinion of Arabs

Hi arwa How interesting that you, a 21-year-old student, have chosen to join a chat forum of old women. Whatever made you do that?

Hello Arwa, and welcome. I don`t have any negative ideas about people of any race or colour, I judge people as I find them, wherever they may be from. I`ve never been to your country, but have always wanted to visit there. Sadly, I never will now.

Salam arwa. Do tell us more about your fascinating country. My daughter's MIL is an Egyptologist and takes parties of British people to visit places of interest, so she can fund her own visits. She loves your country so much, even her car licence plate says EGYPT.

If you have, or know, any interested grandparents who would like to chat with Gransnetters, they too would be very welcome.

I have just read Moon Tiger, the Booker prize-winning book from a few years back by Penelope Lively. There is a lot in there about Egypt as the main character is a woman who was a war correspondent there during 2nd WW. Penelope Lively was born in Egypt, so her descriptions really come alive. It sounds a fascinating country. Apparently Moon Tigers were little burners used to keep mosquitos away.

I think that, like most posters on this website, I have no opinions at all about arabs en masse - people as individuals are what matter.

Do tell us more about your culture - what is the role of grandparents there? Do they get involved in childcare? Are they respected? Do they get good pensions?

Many gransnetters have an interest in education - what sort of system is there in Egypt? Is it state-fiunded?

Hi again, arwa - it's Mrs not Mr, but just call me anno - everyone else does! You're about the same age as my oldest grand-daughter who is also a student.

Salam granjura, i will reply to your post latter. sorry i have to go now and i'll be back soon ..

nice to hear from u all

hello Mr. annodomini, i'm glad to hear your opinion .. we always respect older people it's also in our religions (Islam and Christianity) .. it's important to be open-minded so that you can understand other cultures and reflect good image about the place where you come from and your culture too ..

Salam arwa. It is always difficult to generalise, and opinions vary.
Recently I went to Sharm-el-Sheik with another Gransnetter, and we were surprised that some of the guests didn't seem to respect some of the staff, or the customs, sadly. We got on well with all the staff, apart from one who seemed to regularly cheat clients on exchange rates.

I'd love to visit Cairo one day. My husband's grand-father lived them for many years when he converted to Islam and studied in Cairo. He adopted the local customs and dress, and even had a house next to the Great Pyramid.

Anyway, welcome. Most people in the UK are very open and tolerant- many are not.

JessM, you're welcome at anytime in our country those days when our ex-president resigned AL-Tahrir Square was a tourism attraction, where u find the egyptians united to get their goals after many years of living in Injustice

I don't have negative opinions about any one race - only about certain individuals who might come from any race, or country in the world. I taught a number of Arab students, from Algeria, Libya, and Iraq when I was teaching English to speakers of other languages and they were just as mixed a crowd as any other, but mostly friendly and open to other cultures, which you are too, I can see. Pleasingly, they had great respect for older people so it was useful that I have white hair!

I have never been to an arab country.
I think Arabs have a reputation for being hospitable and for having really good food.
My sister visited Cairo just as your ex-president resigned and was very impressed and made very welcome by the other demonstrators.

hello MiceElf, i'm not a granny i'm 21 and i live in Cairo, i go to the Cairo university and i study Pharmacy .. that's my last year before graduation .. i live with my family (father, mother and my brother)

yeah that's true about horses .. i'm not really a specialist in horses, but i heard that the arabian horse in from the best types .. we aslo have horse riding at the pyramids area

Hello Arwa and welcome. We've been to Egypt and Jordan and loved both countries. Anything which helps to build good relationships between peoples is excellent. Are you a granny? We'd love to hear about family life where you are. Do you live in Cairo? Or Alexandria? Or a smaller place? Do introduce yourself.

By the way, although there are prejudiced people in every country in the world, you won't find any here!

we also have floating restaurants in the Nile .. and the scene is very beautiful specially at night

Well arwa, I'm mad about horse racing and our horses all came from Arab stock. A lot of the main owners are Arab [Sheik Mohammed for example].

well, the best thing in Egypt the tourism, we have so many Tourist attractions like the pyramids and the temples in Luxor .. also the people are very kind .. BTW we don't live in the desert :D as some day someone asked me "do u live in a tent and ride a camel ? "

that's great i really want to change bad opinions about Arabs.. as i know that people all over the world hate us because of bad Arabs who spoiled our image ..

Welcome to the forum, arwa . Please tell us more about your fascinating country!

Hello arwa, pleased to meet you.

hello Arwa and welcome.
I'm British and I don't judge people by their race or religion. I treat them all as individuals.