Concerns and Trust

[mybackpages 0]

Yes, some families have quite unreasonable expectations. They all "know someone" who came to the U.S. and immediately started sending back huge wads of cash -- thousands of dollars a month. Some may start imagining that they'll soon be buying new homes, new cars, etc. In this case, it's time for a Tough Reality Check.

BOY ain't that the truth. It always makes me chuckle at what people abroad think about the economic opportunities in the US. Idir and I had lots of conversations about the reality of expenses in the US so he had a good idea of what was going to happen and yet he seemed to think miminum wage was really exciting.

After he received his first check, I laughed and reminded him of our conversations. See, I told him, imagine how some families have to struggle to support themselves on this wage much less try to help back home. He laughed and said Families? how does one support one person on this income?

It's not just MENA and underdeveloped countries either. I remeber being in Italy and a shop keeper telling me allthese outrageous ideas he had about "rich" americans. I think they watch too many re-runs of Dynasty.

[ya falaha! 0]

My husband has all these stories about so and so and how they were a big success in the US. It bothers me that ppl think they'll arrive to a pot of gold here in the US. Last summer when I visited my husband I was talking with my SIL about work and how much things cost in the US. When she learned that a great number of ppl are living pay check to pay check and that on occasion I'm tight by the end of the month she was very surprised. She said, oh then you're like us here in Egypt. Yep, pretty much.

Yes, some families have quite unreasonable expectations. They all "know someone" who came to the U.S. and immediately started sending back huge wads of cash -- thousands of dollars a month. Some may start imagining that they'll soon be buying new homes, new cars, etc. In this case, it's time for a Tough Reality Check.

BOY ain't that the truth. It always makes me chuckle at what people abroad think about the economic opportunities in the US. Idir and I had lots of conversations about the reality of expenses in the US so he had a good idea of what was going to happen and yet he seemed to think miminum wage was really exciting.

After he received his first check, I laughed and reminded him of our conversations. See, I told him, imagine how some families have to struggle to support themselves on this wage much less try to help back home. He laughed and said Families? how does one support one person on this income?

It's not just MENA and underdeveloped countries either. I remeber being in Italy and a shop keeper telling me allthese outrageous ideas he had about "rich" americans. I think they watch too many re-runs of Dynasty.

Edited July 23, 2007 by moody

[peezey 0]

I must commend you Peezy, your compassion is outstanding!!!

I can feel the warm fuzzies just springing off of your post.

Just another example of one person (me) being targeted with passive aggressive comments even though other people are saying the same thing. Maybe one day you can grow up and move away from sarcasm and into the realm of discussion.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I must commend you Peezy, your compassion is outstanding!!!

I can feel the warm fuzzies just springing off of your post.

Just another example of one person (me) being targeted with passive aggressive comments even though other people are saying the same thing. Maybe one day you can grow up and move away from sarcasm and into the realm of discussion.

I didn't really understand this comment, either, Peezey -- it didn't seem as if your post was directed at anyone personally.

I guess there must be some background context here that I'm unaware of. Dern it... I'm out of the loop again...

[chri'stina 190]

I must commend you Peezy, your compassion is outstanding!!!

I can feel the warm fuzzies just springing off of your post.

Just another example of one person (me) being targeted with passive aggressive comments even though other people are saying the same thing. Maybe one day you can grow up and move away from sarcasm and into the realm of discussion.

I agree that being passive aggressive is not the way to go either.

But the "realm of discussion" should not include personal insults either, which are against the TOS to begin with, which you seem to use sometimes when you discuss things. Saying that if someone worries after reading this post must be "out of their minds" is not a great way to discuss. You could leave that part out and your posts would sound much more like discussions instead of attacks.

[allousa 1]

I guess Peezy just doesn't know how to take a compliment.

[allousa 1]

Just trying to be funny ppl.

Peezy seems to like to target many of the things I say. Not sure why. I just find it funny now.

[peezey 0]

Just trying to be funny ppl.

Peezy seems to like to target many of the things I say. Not sure why. I just find it funny now.

You really ought to get over yourself. I am not the only person who finds this idea that someone else can effect your relationship a strange idea. I am not targeting you, why on earth would you even say that? Are you the only person in this thread who has made the assertion that a stranger can impact your marriage? No. You aren't. So stop taking things personally. No one in this thread or in this world can impact your marriage except for you and your husband, unless of course, you allow them to.

[peezey 0]

I must commend you Peezy, your compassion is outstanding!!!

I can feel the warm fuzzies just springing off of your post.

Just another example of one person (me) being targeted with passive aggressive comments even though other people are saying the same thing. Maybe one day you can grow up and move away from sarcasm and into the realm of discussion.

I agree that being passive aggressive is not the way to go either.

But the "realm of discussion" should not include personal insults either, which are against the TOS to begin with, which you seem to use sometimes when you discuss things. Saying that if someone worries after reading this post must be "out of their minds" is not a great way to discuss. You could leave that part out and your posts would sound much more like discussions instead of attacks.

A personal insult would be me saying "XYZ, You are out of your mind." Making a general point using hyperbole is not a personal attack.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

I wrote a post about an intercultural marriage gone wrong that has been making news in england a while back (and no, this is not a shameless promotion of my blog ). It may be of interest to posters here in the ME/NA subforum.

[ya falaha! 0]

Thanks for the link, Rahma. That article was very interesting.

I wrote a post about an intercultural marriage gone wrong that has been making news in england a while back (and no, this is not a shameless promotion of my blog ). It may be of interest to posters here in the ME/NA subforum.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Very interesting on so many levels... Thanks, Rahma (oh and I meant to say... I am so glad to see The Queen Of Links back up in here ! Always fascinating, always thought-provoking... or just fun to look at Keep 'em coming.... )

Thanks for the link, Rahma. That article was very interesting.

I wrote a post about an intercultural marriage gone wrong that has been making news in england a while back (and no, this is not a shameless promotion of my blog ). It may be of interest to posters here in the ME/NA subforum.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Haven't decided if this is just a brief foray or a permenant thing. But with all my other message boards down at the moment, I need a place to show off my HP DH avatars

[~Jackie~ 30]

Hope you stay.

Jackie

[Jenn! 918]

Haven't decided if this is just a brief foray or a permenant thing. But with all my other message boards down at the moment, I need a place to show off my HP DH avatars

Your avatar is somewhat of a spolier.

I tried to get through the whole thing this weekend, but didn't manage. So far McGonagall hasn't shown up at all. Don't ruin it for me!!!! I'm gonna try to finish it tonight, I have about 250 pages to go....