What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?
The first thing that struck me as I read today’s prompt was something I truly like about Egyptians, something that can be a special trait or a characteristic that most of the Egyptians are known for. And you know what? Even after living abroad for so many years, I think I still have a bit of it.
Can you guess what it is?
It’s how they carry humour in their talk, how they simply crack jokes in passing comments, how they can lighten what is heavy and simplify what is complicated. To put it simply: how naturally most of the Egyptians can be both funny and witty.
They love to laugh, to spark laughter, and to cherish every laughing memory.
“Why aren’t you laughing? Afraid your skin might crack?” That’s how they react when visiting with someone a bit too serious
It’s always funny when we meet up with Egyptian friends and they try to joke with my children. My children smile which is a clear indication that they did’t get the joke. I stifle my laughter. I cough. I breathe. And then our friends repeat the joke.
My children turn to me: their faces wondering what’s so funny, and their eyes pleading for a quick explanation. I burst out laughing, not at the joke but at their reaction. And then they burst out laughing not at the joke but because laugher is contagious, just like yawning.
And this is one of the most well-known Egyptian sayings about laugher:
“Just laugh, no one’s taking anything from this world when they leave it.”
True!
With hope and peace,
Nahla
Pure and Simple 