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Unlucky in love? 13 reasons why your Arab man may have dumped you

Published April 9th, 2015 - 07:33 GMT

There are no rules in love and war, and this is especially true in the Middle East. You may feel lost in a lawless land when it comes to an Arab love affair, especially if your man seems to be a keeper one minute (he even put a ring on it) but a goner the next when he vanishes into the Arabian desert in a puff of sand without so much as an apology or reason that doesn’t sound ludicrous to your well-rehearsed dating mind.

Truth be told, Arabian boys play the dating game with a slightly alternative and very complex code to crack. This is especially true for the more conservative ones. One minute you’re glowing and secure in your dreamy love affair with your Arab man’s straight-talking, dutiful love as he talks of marriage and life commitment and has you meet the parents. But the next minute, you’re getting kicked to the curb! So what could have gone wrong?

The list is endless, but if you can relate to three or more of the idiosyncratic examples on our rejection short-list, then you were definitely dating an Arab man!

Warning: Some of these examples may hit too close to home!

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Past your prime and a couple of years older than him: (though he’s no spring chicken either!) You’re no cheese or wine, so ageing can be a deal-breaker for a woman who wants to marry an Arab man. Your age may be the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back, even if he told you age was just a number at the start.

Past your prime and a couple of years older than him: (though he’s no spring chicken either!) You’re no cheese or wine, so ageing can be a deal-breaker for a woman who wants to marry an Arab man. Your age may be the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back, even if he told you age was just a number at the start.

You can’t cook: The pressure cooker is on! He may think he can survive on a diet of hummus for life, but if mom catches wind you can’t roll n stuff those grape vine leaves, you better throw in the towel. How are you going to care for their precious boy?

You can’t cook: The pressure cooker is on! He may think he can survive on a diet of hummus for life, but if mom catches wind you can’t roll n stuff those grape vine leaves, you better throw in the towel. How are you going to care for their precious boy?

By God, opposites do not attract: You’re a different religion (though you never hid your cross/Quran when you started dating). Even if you’re mildly a different religion, like a couple of shades off his conservative strain, this can present troubles ahead.

By God, opposites do not attract: You’re a different religion (though you never hid your cross/Quran when you started dating). Even if you’re mildly a different religion, like a couple of shades off his conservative strain, this can present troubles ahead.

His mother says ‘over my dead body’: He’s willing to put down his own life to secure that premium maternal blessing - the Arab mother’s sacred consent- and this resounding ‘no’ is not it.

His mother says ‘over my dead body’: He’s willing to put down his own life to secure that premium maternal blessing - the Arab mother’s sacred consent- and this resounding ‘no’ is not it.

You’re a foreigner: At first he was intrigued and thought you to be exotic, but the idea of introducing you to his family is enough to send him running to the (Amman) hills. They’re already convinced you’re a Mossad spy who will divorce their son and run off with his offspring!

You’re a foreigner: At first he was intrigued and thought you to be exotic, but the idea of introducing you to his family is enough to send him running to the (Amman) hills. They’re already convinced you’re a Mossad spy who will divorce their son and run off with his offspring!

You’re divorced: Besides the fact that you’re a social taboo, this makes you used goods as well! And if you have kids from your previous marriage, that’s game over before it’s even begun.

You’re divorced: Besides the fact that you’re a social taboo, this makes you used goods as well! And if you have kids from your previous marriage, that’s game over before it’s even begun.

He’s secretly gay: You were his last ditch cover attempt to convince himself and the parentals that he was a regular red-blooded Arab man. That’s why he was so emotionally tuned in to you and explains the couples’ clothing shopping sprees.

He’s secretly gay: You were his last ditch cover attempt to convince himself and the parentals that he was a regular red-blooded Arab man. That’s why he was so emotionally tuned in to you and explains the couples’ clothing shopping sprees.

Not a virgin? Too bad as this is still a red-line for Arab-minded grooms. He didn’t mind fooling around when you were dating, but your privates have got to be ‘sealed’ for marriage! And no, you’re not willing to go under the knife to restore the situation.

Not a virgin? Too bad as this is still a red-line for Arab-minded grooms. He didn’t mind fooling around when you were dating, but your privates have got to be ‘sealed’ for marriage! And no, you’re not willing to go under the knife to restore the situation.

A steep dowry: If your fiance’s pockets are not deep enough to afford your dowry, relations can sour quickly. He may not think you’re worth it, but we know your love is priceless. There are some things money can’t buy (love), for everything else (dowry), there’s Mastercard!

A steep dowry: If your fiance’s pockets are not deep enough to afford your dowry, relations can sour quickly. He may not think you’re worth it, but we know your love is priceless. There are some things money can’t buy (love), for everything else (dowry), there’s Mastercard!

Parental blackmail: Daddy either bribes him with a prize too good to be true if he leaves you, or he resorts to emotional blackmail. One way or another, if he stays, he can kiss that inheritance goodbye!

Parental blackmail: Daddy either bribes him with a prize too good to be true if he leaves you, or he resorts to emotional blackmail. One way or another, if he stays, he can kiss that inheritance goodbye!

You don’t wear enough make-up (points out his plain, dowdy sister).

You don’t wear enough make-up (points out his plain, dowdy sister).

He’s already engaged: Maybe his parents already picked out his blushing bride or one of his other girlfriends made the cut over you. Either way, his aunt (mother of the bride-to-be hopeful) is already spreading poison about you, so perhaps it’s time to bow out gracefully.

He’s already engaged: Maybe his parents already picked out his blushing bride or one of his other girlfriends made the cut over you. Either way, his aunt (mother of the bride-to-be hopeful) is already spreading poison about you, so perhaps it’s time to bow out gracefully.

Family Feuds: You may be the perfect wife-to-be but you just so happen to belong to a rival tribe. Your Arab man may be more likely to kick you to the curb than cause a clash of clans.

Family Feuds: You may be the perfect wife-to-be but you just so happen to belong to a rival tribe. Your Arab man may be more likely to kick you to the curb than cause a clash of clans.

Past your prime and a couple of years older than him: (though he’s no spring chicken either!) You’re no cheese or wine, so ageing can be a deal-breaker for a woman who wants to marry an Arab man. Your age may be the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back, even if he told you age was just a number at the start.
You can’t cook: The pressure cooker is on! He may think he can survive on a diet of hummus for life, but if mom catches wind you can’t roll n stuff those grape vine leaves, you better throw in the towel. How are you going to care for their precious boy?
By God, opposites do not attract: You’re a different religion (though you never hid your cross/Quran when you started dating). Even if you’re mildly a different religion, like a couple of shades off his conservative strain, this can present troubles ahead.
His mother says ‘over my dead body’: He’s willing to put down his own life to secure that premium maternal blessing - the Arab mother’s sacred consent- and this resounding ‘no’ is not it.
You’re a foreigner: At first he was intrigued and thought you to be exotic, but the idea of introducing you to his family is enough to send him running to the (Amman) hills. They’re already convinced you’re a Mossad spy who will divorce their son and run off with his offspring!
You’re divorced: Besides the fact that you’re a social taboo, this makes you used goods as well! And if you have kids from your previous marriage, that’s game over before it’s even begun.
He’s secretly gay: You were his last ditch cover attempt to convince himself and the parentals that he was a regular red-blooded Arab man. That’s why he was so emotionally tuned in to you and explains the couples’ clothing shopping sprees.
Not a virgin? Too bad as this is still a red-line for Arab-minded grooms. He didn’t mind fooling around when you were dating, but your privates have got to be ‘sealed’ for marriage! And no, you’re not willing to go under the knife to restore the situation.
A steep dowry: If your fiance’s pockets are not deep enough to afford your dowry, relations can sour quickly. He may not think you’re worth it, but we know your love is priceless. There are some things money can’t buy (love), for everything else (dowry), there’s Mastercard!
Parental blackmail: Daddy either bribes him with a prize too good to be true if he leaves you, or he resorts to emotional blackmail. One way or another, if he stays, he can kiss that inheritance goodbye!
You don’t wear enough make-up (points out his plain, dowdy sister).
He’s already engaged: Maybe his parents already picked out his blushing bride or one of his other girlfriends made the cut over you. Either way, his aunt (mother of the bride-to-be hopeful) is already spreading poison about you, so perhaps it’s time to bow out gracefully.
Family Feuds: You may be the perfect wife-to-be but you just so happen to belong to a rival tribe. Your Arab man may be more likely to kick you to the curb than cause a clash of clans.
Past your prime and a couple of years older than him: (though he’s no spring chicken either!) You’re no cheese or wine, so ageing can be a deal-breaker for a woman who wants to marry an Arab man. Your age may be the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back, even if he told you age was just a number at the start.
Past your prime and a couple of years older than him: (though he’s no spring chicken either!) You’re no cheese or wine, so ageing can be a deal-breaker for a woman who wants to marry an Arab man. Your age may be the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back, even if he told you age was just a number at the start.
You can’t cook: The pressure cooker is on! He may think he can survive on a diet of hummus for life, but if mom catches wind you can’t roll n stuff those grape vine leaves, you better throw in the towel. How are you going to care for their precious boy?
You can’t cook: The pressure cooker is on! He may think he can survive on a diet of hummus for life, but if mom catches wind you can’t roll n stuff those grape vine leaves, you better throw in the towel. How are you going to care for their precious boy?
By God, opposites do not attract: You’re a different religion (though you never hid your cross/Quran when you started dating). Even if you’re mildly a different religion, like a couple of shades off his conservative strain, this can present troubles ahead.
By God, opposites do not attract: You’re a different religion (though you never hid your cross/Quran when you started dating). Even if you’re mildly a different religion, like a couple of shades off his conservative strain, this can present troubles ahead.
His mother says ‘over my dead body’: He’s willing to put down his own life to secure that premium maternal blessing - the Arab mother’s sacred consent- and this resounding ‘no’ is not it.
His mother says ‘over my dead body’: He’s willing to put down his own life to secure that premium maternal blessing - the Arab mother’s sacred consent- and this resounding ‘no’ is not it.
You’re a foreigner: At first he was intrigued and thought you to be exotic, but the idea of introducing you to his family is enough to send him running to the (Amman) hills. They’re already convinced you’re a Mossad spy who will divorce their son and run off with his offspring!
You’re a foreigner: At first he was intrigued and thought you to be exotic, but the idea of introducing you to his family is enough to send him running to the (Amman) hills. They’re already convinced you’re a Mossad spy who will divorce their son and run off with his offspring!
You’re divorced: Besides the fact that you’re a social taboo, this makes you used goods as well! And if you have kids from your previous marriage, that’s game over before it’s even begun.
You’re divorced: Besides the fact that you’re a social taboo, this makes you used goods as well! And if you have kids from your previous marriage, that’s game over before it’s even begun.
He’s secretly gay: You were his last ditch cover attempt to convince himself and the parentals that he was a regular red-blooded Arab man. That’s why he was so emotionally tuned in to you and explains the couples’ clothing shopping sprees.
He’s secretly gay: You were his last ditch cover attempt to convince himself and the parentals that he was a regular red-blooded Arab man. That’s why he was so emotionally tuned in to you and explains the couples’ clothing shopping sprees.
Not a virgin? Too bad as this is still a red-line for Arab-minded grooms. He didn’t mind fooling around when you were dating, but your privates have got to be ‘sealed’ for marriage! And no, you’re not willing to go under the knife to restore the situation.
Not a virgin? Too bad as this is still a red-line for Arab-minded grooms. He didn’t mind fooling around when you were dating, but your privates have got to be ‘sealed’ for marriage! And no, you’re not willing to go under the knife to restore the situation.
A steep dowry: If your fiance’s pockets are not deep enough to afford your dowry, relations can sour quickly. He may not think you’re worth it, but we know your love is priceless. There are some things money can’t buy (love), for everything else (dowry), there’s Mastercard!
A steep dowry: If your fiance’s pockets are not deep enough to afford your dowry, relations can sour quickly. He may not think you’re worth it, but we know your love is priceless. There are some things money can’t buy (love), for everything else (dowry), there’s Mastercard!
Parental blackmail: Daddy either bribes him with a prize too good to be true if he leaves you, or he resorts to emotional blackmail. One way or another, if he stays, he can kiss that inheritance goodbye!
Parental blackmail: Daddy either bribes him with a prize too good to be true if he leaves you, or he resorts to emotional blackmail. One way or another, if he stays, he can kiss that inheritance goodbye!
You don’t wear enough make-up (points out his plain, dowdy sister).
You don’t wear enough make-up (points out his plain, dowdy sister).
He’s already engaged: Maybe his parents already picked out his blushing bride or one of his other girlfriends made the cut over you. Either way, his aunt (mother of the bride-to-be hopeful) is already spreading poison about you, so perhaps it’s time to bow out gracefully.
He’s already engaged: Maybe his parents already picked out his blushing bride or one of his other girlfriends made the cut over you. Either way, his aunt (mother of the bride-to-be hopeful) is already spreading poison about you, so perhaps it’s time to bow out gracefully.
Family Feuds: You may be the perfect wife-to-be but you just so happen to belong to a rival tribe. Your Arab man may be more likely to kick you to the curb than cause a clash of clans.
Family Feuds: You may be the perfect wife-to-be but you just so happen to belong to a rival tribe. Your Arab man may be more likely to kick you to the curb than cause a clash of clans.

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