Woah, hold on. There's something here.
It's a business transaction, sure. But the social interaction, while to us seems like sarcastic exaggerating, is humorous complimenting. In order to do that, it has to be language you can use frequently and honestly.
This is doing wonders for his mental health, likely because part of his thoughts are "what could I say to make ME feel more complimented than that." He's actively using positive self talk unconsciously.
112And he gave the dude a present only to take a picture and put it on the Internet
-69BossDJ, I want to make sure you’re ok. This cynical outlook isn’t like you. Please act like the usual positive MC I know you are.
27They probably gave him a present because they're friends. People post their friends on the internet.
17Or he took a picture to remember the moment. Like people do since before the Internet.
15Get out of his shop with this energy
14And what good are YOU bringing to the world?
5
It takes confidence to prop others up like that.
85Ok, where do I find an emotional support iraqi corner store?
74Iraq is the most likely place.
27It is (almost) everywhere and anywhere you choose to reach across and make it happen friend. Try it out and see, I bet you will not be disappointed!
11
The aggressive compliments are one of the things I’ve always appreciated about middle eastern cultures. Does it feel silly if you aren’t used to it? Of course. But it’s just nice to be around and enjoyable to reciprocate
74During one of the lowest ebbs in my life, I subconsciously and unknowingly sustained myself simply by buying one extra dessert (ice cream, chocolate, something sweet and inocuous) for the doormen at my building. This small act of human bonding would give me enough energy to face tomorrow without dreading it, and little by little I was able to dig myself out of a deep hole.
The point of this parable is, do not underestimate the value of human connection! A very small act may turn someone's day around and that energy is reflected back to you in droves.
46Old middle eastern lady called me habibi once in a checkout line..
Still think about that sometimes
32An older lady was trying to push two carts at the same time out of a warehouse club store. I was just carrying TP by hand, so I offered to push her extra cart.
She called me her bodyguard. I ascended immediately to heaven.
22Love it, dude a guy (recent stroke survivor) cried when I helped him with a flat of water 😊
Helping people can be the most selfish thing you can do hehe
7Good thing you had that TP for your rapture. 🤌🏾
3
We have Syrian, Iraqi, and others who have recently come to our country. (When I say we and our I also mean them)
My fence is covered in grape leaves from about April to September. I get lots of people around the neighbourhood that come by to take them.
Last year one old dude came and started picking them. I got up to say hello.
He spoke no English.
He said some things and made some gestures and I kinda got the gist.
Went inside got him some water and a cloth.
He drank and wiped his hands.
Shook my hand and said habibi.
I almost cried.
13Well I'm crying now.
4I misread that as "face" and thought it was an entire story until the water and cloth. 🤪
2
Love to see it
12I never thought about how seldom men get compliments and stuff until some random girl complimented my thick eyebrows 😂
I will never forget that ego boost, was flying high for days lol
6Some girl said I had nice eyelashes 12 years ago. I still bring up that at least once a year.
3
I’m friends with two siblings who frequently refer to any/all of their friends as ‘habibi’ and it makes me feel warm fuzzies every time.
6
These are the kinds of relationships I want with my community. This is beautiful.
24
2499.9% of wholesome posts do nothing for me. This one had me smiling. Amazing.
20I love this, my quick stop guy smiles whenever I walk in, but he doesn't speak much English. I'd love to get him pistachios
17Then get him pistachios?
7Without first posting about it on the internet? Nonsense!
-2
He probably understands much more than what he can say, production is always the hardest part of language learning. I'm sure saying something nice with a smile is unlikely to be taken the wrong way.
4
I swear first generation immigrants are the nicest people. So much charisma
13This is so wholesome I can't stand it ahhhhhhh!!!!!
13Is that some kind of eastern or muslim-aligned thing, or maybe have something with a climate? In western Russia you sometimes meet (mostly elderly) caucasian dudes from eastern parts and bordering countries who talk a little like that, while natives seldom talk at all besides what's needed. Is that some shared cultural custom in the region?
I kinda like that.
11I think it is a Middle Eastern thing. Something like cultural hospitality and the connection of social/community and economic ties. "Business is personal" is how I heard a friend who was in Iraq say it.
29
My dad has an Iraqi guy who cuts his hair and my dad is so loyal to him. He always talks so highly of him and will never go anywhere else. Its extra funny because he's always hated getting his haircut and seen it as an annoyance.
7I love seeing these kinds of interactions
5
