"Barkin" ticket.

I was having a very hectic week. The only thing that helped me laugh out loud and forget about the things I'm supposed to finish was this parking ticket.
I laughed at the ignorance of the people, yet I was sad that such thing could ever exist.

A true Egyptian lady

Today I was travelling using one of the popular methods of transportation, the famous " Taxi Aqaleem ", if you know it. These cars are the old, big Mercedes Benz, the cars has lots of space from the inside but , tab3an , lacks any luxoury or cleanliness.

That's not my point, today during my journey I was lucky enough to meet a true Egyptian person ( it's been long since I last met any ). During that long journey, around 7 hours, we stopped at one of the side cafetrias where the driver takes a rest to have lunch. While we were there, I decided to stay in the car as it was pretty cold outside and I was somehow sleepy.

The lady sitting in the seat ahead of me didn't draw any of my attention at first. This was the case till her husband started acting strangely and saying strange words. I figured out that her husband has some mental problems. The woman started to talk about the history of her husband's illness to one of the passengers. She said that they have been married for more than 37 years, he was a clerk at some office for more than 40 years and that his illness started 18 years ago.

She then started complaining about the problems she faced and is facing through thier life. First, she said that her husband was innocently accused of stealing a large amount; that story was confirmed by one of the passengers who identified her husband and said that he was a very decent man. Secondly, she said that she has been paying Cairo monthly visits the past few years to help her husband continue his treatment. Thirdly, ( as usual in Egypt ) she was talking about how not enough her husband's allowance is in comparison to the medication expediture.

After that discussion between the lady and the other passenger, I remebered the wedding oath ( if it's so called ): for better & for worse, for happiness & sorrow, for sickness & health.

What really brought tears into my eyes ( and I'm not joking) was the lady's generosity. During our stop, she had sent her grandson to fetch them some sandwiches for lunch. On the kid's arrival, the lady insisted that each one of us ( passenegers ) share with them their lunch. All of us apologised politely to her generous offer. ( it wasn't 3ozoomet marakbeyya ). Although she was complaining about money shortage, this didn't affect her decision in sharing her humble dinner with complete strangers.

Another thing that amazed me about her, is the look of satisfaction in her eyes. Although she was suffering bad times, she was thankful to God about the good times they had lived earlier in their life.


Chapeau to that Lady.

A trip into a harasser's mind

This mass sexual harrassment issue got me very confused, I was unable to find a reason for such actions . I tried to take a trip into a harrasser's mind, just trying to be in their shoes. What is it that makes such people perform such act.

Any male ( man ) can have sexual thoughts as regrads any woman ( female ) he is dealing with, ( beleive me, who denies this has a problem somewhere ). Such thoughts are either changed or prevented from converting into an action by a sequence of STOP buttons, whether that button was religion, morals , law.......etc.

I beleive that such people perform such actions due to the absence of their STOP buttons.
Here's a list, I think most normal people have. (I think they work in a way like back-up sytems, if no. 1 is down 2. will work and so on)

1) Religious teachings.
2) Morals and social traditions
3) Law
4) The victim will kick your ass
5) The vitim will avenge herself later

On thinking of attacking a female, you should normally be stopped by your religious teachings, if you are an atheist the society and the surrounding traditions will stop you, if don't give a dam about the community you'll fear being sued over such act but if you are sure that the law won't reach you, you'll fear the victim's revenge.

The harasser lacks the above formula.

I beleive that's the true problem, the surrounding atmosphere failed to create any intimidation or threat to the harasser. He is sure he'll get through unpunished or stopped in any way.

Besides the lack of a braking system. Such people have a group of misconceptions that either pushes them in that direction or justifies their act:

1) I'm a male = I'm a superior creature. ( look how our community forgives men for having affairs, while condemns women for such act )
2) She deserves ( wants ) that, look at what she's wearing
3) If I can't marry, why not have anonymous fun for free
4) What's the worst that could happen ( the stop buttons )


I don't know, these are just my ideas and beleifs. I may have been influenced by some stuff I read lately, but that's my own conclusion.

This doesn't explain the mass sexual harrassements, but I think on combinig the above with the herd mentality.......... we can get something.

A reason for smiling.

If your life doesn't give you a reason to smile, that's a stronger reason for you to smile.

Just to tease it !!!