How do you live outside Lebanon?

[Sydney]

I am Lebanese-Australian... And I would never deny my identity, or my heritage, but I do not adobpt the eastern mentality... Dont get me wrong, I enjoy my Lebanese food, and enjoy speaking my language... but that does not mean i should hold into the eastern traditions and believe! and nore gives me the right to force that tradition to the country where I reside.

And WiseCookie just for a future reference, there is not such things as just Australian... we all come from somewhere around the world... unless you are aboriginal.

[LeXeU]

Originally Posted by WiseCookie

Well interesting comment u got there, but what would u tell a person who is prepared to take a risk ?

WC,

I say if you have something lined up in LB, why not go ahead and give it your best! It's probably gonna be easier than struggling in a foreign country!

bass, people and friends that had F1 vias, once they go back to lb and things don't work out, it's very hard to come back to US, so they end up in the gulf!

[Free_Patriot]

Originally Posted by Sydney

Unless you are in the country Temporarily... on a student visa, or just on a business venture ... I reckon a person should assimilate and integrate!

I like to integrate but not assimilate. I am very happy with my identity the way I see it, no need to assimilate with whatever cultural group. Integration is however a survival tool, it's a necessary and enjoyable experience.

Sydney, what is the "eastern mentality" that you don't like? To me this is just a label, I don't even know what it means, but it sounds like that I wouldn't like it either

[WiseCookie]

Originally Posted by Sydney

I am Lebanese-Australian... And I would never deny my identity, or my heritage, but I do not adobpt the eastern mentality... Dont get me wrong, I enjoy my Lebanese food, and enjoy speaking my language... but that does not mean i should hold into the eastern traditions and believe! and nore gives me the right to force that tradition to the country where I reside.

And WiseCookie just for a future reference, there is not such things as just Australian... we all come from somewhere around the world... unless you are aboriginal.

Well why is it that u have to believe in a certain mentality and traditions. I mean do u seriously believe that Lebanese has actual eastern traditions ? It's more like a mix, but i mean u could be easterner and believe in western traditions.

About the real Australians, well yeah if u want to get technical about it : /

[WiseCookie]

Originally Posted by LeXeU

WC,

I say if you have something lined up in LB, why not go ahead and give it your best! It's probably gonna be easier than struggling in a foreign country!

bass, people and friends that had F1 vias, once they go back to lb and things don't work out, it's very hard to come back to US, so they end up in the gulf!

Exactly, that's what I'm thinking, but ive still got to finish the semester over here so im taking my time and thinking rationally.

[Sydney]

Ok guys.. well the thread said... Do you believe in the Eastern Traditions or Western traditions! and do you integrate with your western culture! So in a way Wisecookie you are agreeing with me.. that you need to integrate!? right?

I did not say at any point to forget about your culture.. the beauty about living in a western country, is you get to keep some of your culture's historical background... but if you refuse to integrate and i'm sure people who live in Canada and Australia will understand what I mean about not integrating.. because there are alot of Lebanese who live in Sydney that refuse to live the australian way.... then there will be a conflict.. and lost of identity... alot of lebanese-Austrlaians youth in sydney are lost, do not know what they want to be, they dotn want to be Australians, because their parenst are telling them they're lebanese, but when they go to visit Lebanon.. they're told they're Australians and not lebanese... and thats' when the conflict of identity occur.

[skewed]

Originally Posted by DL

I live in Holland (even though I have been all over the place - literally ) - And I can say that the following would be my thoughts:

1. I respect the society values without changing mine in a blind way
2. I follow the laws and find it great that everyone is UNDER the law, even our Queen
3. I lead a normal life with friends from all over the world while keeping my Lebanese identity alive
4. I pay S**t load of taxes
5. I miss my family and friends I made while growing up in Lebanon
6. I miss Lebanese food that is why I cook myself
7. I work too much
8. Still need to find myself a nice Lebanese lady who is willing to be "my Lebanon" in Amsterdam
9. Lebanon is always in my heart and thoughts no matter where I go!!

Hi DL,
I'll be moving to AMS within a couple of months for a 1 year stay. What income taxes are applicable? Thx

[PhoenixResurrection]

Originally Posted by lebanese_a

Is question is for all the people that live outside Lebanon:
How do you live outside Lebanon? Do you follow the Lebanese way of life or the way of life of the country where you are in? For example do you move in with your girlfriend before marriage?... (every aspect of the way of life - not the food and the music)

Let's say I live my way of life :-).
Some (if not most) lebanese "ways of life" are too intrusive, shallow and discriminating.

PS: Moving in with your GF before marriage is not a representative example of either way of lives ( lebanese or foreigner)

[Elyane El Helou]

Originally Posted by lebanese_a

Is question is for all the people that live outside Lebanon:
How do you live outside Lebanon? Do you follow the Lebanese way of life or the way of life of the country where you are in? For example do you move in with your girlfriend before marriage?... (every aspect of the way of life - not the food and the music)

I ve been in the USA for over ten years now, before living here I traveled extensively within Europe, as a Lebanese I enjoy the US because here you are never a foreigner. here you are welcome no matter what you are. It is truly a melting pot and I blended in perfectly.

Socially I couldn t tolerate the lebanese lifestyle much, here we lead a simple life no once cares how u r dressed or if got make up or not, Americans are very friendly and casual unlike Europeans.

So adapting to a place depends on each individual's taste and lifestyle, if you like simple casual life,then the US is the place for you but if you like extravaganza and you are highly accessorized and enjoy watching and talking about other people Lebanon is the place for you.

I love my USA my home sweet home in every way, and I m proud to be an American since also we happen to rule the world

PS: Americans love Fayrouz, read Gibran and eat Tabouli.....

[Jorje]

Originally Posted by Elyane El Helou

I ve been in the USA for over ten years now, before living here I traveled extensively within Europe, as a Lebanese I enjoy the US because here you are never a foreigner. here you are welcome no matter what you are. It is truly a melting pot and I blended in perfectly.

Socially I couldn t tolerate the lebanese lifestyle much, here we lead a simple life no once cares how u r dressed or if got make up or not, Americans are very friendly and casual unlike Europeans.

So adapting to a place depends on each individual's taste and lifestyle, if you like simple casual life,then the US is the place for you but if you like extravaganza and you are highly accessorized and enjoy watching and talking about other people Lebanon is the place for you.

I love my USA my home sweet home in every way, and I m proud to be an American since also we happen to rule the world

PS: Americans love Fayrouz, read Gibran and eat Tabouli.....

I agree with most of that, but it really depends on which US region you go to. It varies a lot. I happen to live atm in New Jersey, in the suburbs of NYC, and there's just immense cultural diversity here, so even though I've only been for 2 years now (on a student visa), I don't feel like I'm a foreigner or that I'm excluded, cause basically everyone is different. In non-Metropolitan areas, with a big Anglo majority, the situation would be very different I guess, especially in southern states.

Personally, I enjoy cultural diversity, and now I can't even imagine living in a place where everyone looks the same and all share a similar culture. Life is hard everywhere basically (you need to work hard everywhere), and at the end of the day, it's really up to each person to make it good, in whatever environment. Though I do agree with you that integration in Europe is much harder and you need a tougher skin to be able to withold discrimination.