Anyone Else Married / Engaged To An Egyptian?

[Mithra 1,185]

I think she means - how does one look American when Americans are largely other ethnicities either mixed or full blood but originally from other countries. African Americans tend to not look like Caucasian Americans. Caucasian Americans can have ancestors from Europe, Middle East (they are generally considered "white"), etc. My ancestors came from Belgium, Germany, and Ireland. If I don't open my mouth, an Egyptian could easily think I'm from Europe or Canada or the US. So....how does one look pretty darn American?

Edited February 5, 2014 by Mithra

[sandinista! 1,816]

You don't know? The same way someone can look French or Brazillian or Japanese or Egyptian... people groups tend to develop similar looks and mannerisms, not to mention that whole genetic race thing...

French, like Nicolas Batum, whose dad was from Cameroon? Or François Hollande? Brazilian like Gisele Bündchen, or an Amazon basin native? Does a pretty darn American looking person look like a Cherokee or an Inuit, or Shaquille O'Neal?

[sandinista! 1,816]

Jinx, lol. Should've refreshed before posting

[Heather&Ramy 22]

So a statement such as "you look French" is without meaning for you? Yeah I get it, most Americans are immigrants somewhere in their history. So are a lot of other people in a lot of other countries too. But somehow it doesn't stop people from assimilating to varying degrees and adopting distinctive looks and mannerisms--creating a living, breathing culture. My ancestors several generations ago were from Germany and Scotland but I don't look, sound, act, or dress much like someone recently born and raised and living in Germany or Scotland. I know its very uncool to talk about classifying people these days, but as I'm walking around in Hurghada its very easy to look around and guess by appearance alone who is from Egypt, who is from Russia, and who is from Germany, with a degree of accuracy that isn't perfect but is well above the degree of luck.

[Mithra 1,185]

Culture and look = two different things. Culturally I am American although some would argue that Americans don't have their own culture. Appearance-wise I could look like I'm from any number of countries. Unless the comment was referring to a Native American, how does one look American? Yes, I suppose I look American because there are a lot of Caucasians from the US but looking "pretty darn American" doesn't make sense. Unless we're talking Native American.

[LizzieBee 25]

I should have said "foreign." Back to the original subject ...

[sparkles_ 456]

I think she meant she looked pretty darn white, as in what Egyptians consider a typical white American. Anyhoo~~

[Elchelle 5]

New to the website, and also marrying an Egyptian man.

I have some insight into that divorce topic. While divorce may be common, in Upper Egypt it is often very very frowned upon. A lot of times, in small villages with tribal and clan affiliation, it is a cousin to cousin marriage. These marriages are, for all intents and purposes, what we would call arranged. Families can and do ostracize family members who do not go with the arranged marriage, marry someone the family does not approve of, or divorce. I've seen it firsthand. I had a friend tell me that he and his wife were miserable together, but because her father was his uncle, he could not divorce her. Also, divorces are incredibly incredibly expensive for the men. The wives are dependents, and men must sign a marriage contract, and if they break that marriage contract, they can owe enormous sums of money. That said, divorces are possible in Egypt. My fiancé was in an arranged marriage when he and I started our relationship. It took him a while to save the money for the divorce, but he did divorce.

New to the website, and also marrying an Egyptian man.

I have some insight into that divorce topic. While divorce may be common, in Upper Egypt it is often very very frowned upon. A lot of times, in small villages with tribal and clan affiliation, it is a cousin to cousin marriage. These marriages are, for all intents and purposes, what we would call arranged. Families can and do ostracize family members who do not go with the arranged marriage, marry someone the family does not approve of, or divorce. I've seen it firsthand. I had a friend tell me that he and his wife were miserable together, but because her father was his uncle, he could not divorce her. Also, divorces are incredibly incredibly expensive for the men. The wives are dependents, and men must sign a marriage contract, and if they break that marriage contract, they can owe enormous sums of money. That said, divorces are possible in Egypt. My fiancé was in an arranged marriage when he and I started our relationship. It took him a while to save the money for the divorce, but he did divorce.

[bluevelvet 1]

just saying hi. my husband is egyptian, we've been married for 7.5 years. we currently live in cairo with our four kids.

[emily.ahmed 1]

Just got married in Egypt 3 weeks ago Back home a week now without him..

[Soloenta 2,218]

Welcome to the boards MiaAndSabry, about your husbands father visiting, just make sure no shorts, tight
pants, cleavage etc and make sure to ask your husband what would offend his father since we are all
individuals no matter where we are from. Good luck and congratulations and much happieness.

I am also married to an Egyptian since Oct/16/2011 was with my husband for two years before I had to come home to

take care of my parents who are both in ill health. I for one love Egypt but hate the temperature just to hot for me but I

love the people very much. They where very kind and sweet to me and no one dare even stare at me while I was with

my husband. Never went out alone and after we married in Cairo we went to live in Hurgahda my husband is from Upper

Egypt the largest city in that region.

Your very lucky you wont have to deal with the Egyptian Embassy in Cairo they are just ruthless, disrespectful and nasty.

I know the reasons why but there is no good reason to act this way with anyone.

The wait is long I originally sent my I-130 in March of 2013 but I didn't sign the papers they sent it back then they sent

them back to me to resign a blank one have no idea what that was about but when I called it was their mistake. Now

instead of not losing my place in like they promised the date was changed to June 2014 have been waiting 9 months now

to be aproved God willing and so far nothing. So if your husband can stay with you during this torture the better.

LizzieBee wish there was a better place than FB and wouldn't mind you e-mailing me when you want to
talk or call. Does anyone know of a better place to talk? Maybe Yahoo messenger or Skype? Not crazy

about FB and canceled my husbands page since I was the only one using it.


Welcome Elchelle

Hey Bluevelvet not on VJ often but remember your lovely posts.

Emily.Ahmed congratulations much happieness.

[Rana A 2]

I just found this post and I would like to join in

I'm Rana, born in Egypt, but came to the US when I was 8 back in 1999 and I'm now a US citizen....My fiance is also Egyptian in Alexandria and we met when I was visiting family over the Summer. We got engaged 06/24/2013 and I applied for the K1 visa in July.

This website has helped us sooo much during this process and I love how everyone tries to keep each other motivated and thinking positive

[LizzieBee 25]

Rana, I just want to tell you how much I love your profile photo. It's a perfect picture of love. I'm glad you posted. My fiance is also in Alexandria. I am so excited to be going to see him in 12 short days! When was the last time you were with your sweetheart?

[Soloenta 2,218]

Welcome to the club Rana A happy to have you on board.

[Heather&Ramy 22]

welcome new Egyptian spouses/fiances.. Hope you are finding the boards as useful and helpful as I have.

Do we need to start another topic about how America is the only country in the world to not be allowed to be considered to have a culture of its own? lol... No I didn't mean that I look white, I meant I look American. Not Native American. If you don't know what I could possibly mean by that, let it go...just consider me crazy.