Cat in the Gulf: I'm feeling homesick ;-)

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19 August 2007

I'm feeling homesick ;-)

I got 3 (!) emails today describing the joys of either being a Cypriot or living in Cyprus, and here are the best parts of those emails. Enjoy! :^)

You know you are a Cypriot when:

You can't get over how early bars & clubs shut in all the other countries - surely they're shutting just as you should be going out?

You aren't just surprised that the plumber/decorator has turned up on time, you're surprised he turned up at all.

You think it's fine to comment on everyone's appearance.

Not kissing every new acquaintance on the cheeks seems so rude.

You're shocked by people getting their legs out at the first hint of sun - surely they should wait until at least late June?

On msn you sometimes type 'xaxaxa' instead of 'hahaha'.

You don't understand how anyone could think olive oil on toast is weird.

You eat lunch after 2pm & would never even think of having your evening meal before 9.

You know that after 1pm there's no point in going shopping, you might as well just have a nap until 4 when the shops re-open.

You don't accept beer that's anything less than ice-cold.

The fact that all the male (or female) members of a family have the same first name doesn't surprise you.

The sound of mopeds in the background is the soundtrack to your life.

Your mother does everything for you if you are male.

You do all the housework and cooking if you are female.

Your relatives alone could populate a small city.

Everyone is a family friend, or somehow related to you.

Instead of cooking a meal for 4 you cook for 10.

When you have a dinner party there is enough food to last for the next 2 weeks.

You fight over who pays the dinner bill.

You always say "open the light" instead of "turn the light on".

A Mercedes is not a car, it's a Taxi.

You walk around in jumpers when it's +25C but put your airconditioning to +15C and still find it hot.

Not smoking is considered 'weird'.

Not eating meat is unthinkable.

All men over 30 look 50.

You sms people sitting at the next table.

You sms whilst lifting weights.

Police park on the pavement..to book you for a parking offense.

Translation of 'thank you' is..... "thank you".

Translation of 'sorry' is....."sorry".

The first thing a police officer asks you is "what does your dad do?".

You call everyone "koumbare"('best man')...and they probably are!

posted by Bravecat @ 11:21 am

9 Comments:

At 19/08/2007, 12:12, Anonymous said…

You know this list could easily pass as a "You know when you're a Qatari when..." too! Except maybe for the Olive Oil on toast part-- hey I should try that!
At 19/08/2007, 13:00, Arabian Princess said…

many things are very common with Oman too!! I guess Cypriotions are not very different form MEians.. even greek people, god the big fat greek wedding could be : my big fat arab wedding lool
At 19/08/2007, 14:00, Anonymous said…

and kuwait as well.

except for the bars and clubs thing,... cos there are no bars and clubs :(
At 19/08/2007, 14:20, Bravecat said…

Baj,

Nah, boyfriend, Qatari and Cypriots aren't that much alike. And you should try the olive oil and balsamic vinegar on toast. Yum!

Arby,

Well we talked about it today already, lol. There are some differences that we both would love to keep the way they are! And oh my, you should have seen MY big fat greek wedding! :P

Skunk,

Oh you poor things. At least you have cinemas though. It could be worse, you could be in Saudi, lol.
At 19/08/2007, 20:21, Bravecat said…

Ella,

Hahaha who in the world said that??? It translates into :"KISSES beautiful African girl"
At 20/08/2007, 10:50, Bravecat said…

Ella,

Greek is an easy language to master, especially if your friends are Cypriots I don't see how you aren't speaking it fluently yet! :P
At 20/08/2007, 21:31, Bravecat said…

Re Ella,

LOL true. You're either Cypriot or you are not, and if you are not - tough, babe, you ain't IT. We are the best and damn proud of it! All 5 of us!

Hahaha

Because Cyprus is such a BIG and IMPORTANT country.
At 21/08/2007, 20:37, ellinida said…

Αχ γατί μου, φυσικό δεν είναι;
Κάθε γη και πατρίς αλλά ένα το μέρος που αγαπήσαμε.
Να είσαι καλά.
φιλιά
At 21/08/2007, 21:46, Bravecat said…

Ellinida,

Ah sometimes I wish I had Greek support here and could answer ever so eloquent and not sound like an idiot.

:^)

Polla filia...