Besides all the universal problems of finding THE one .. Here in Egypt it seems even much more complicated than anywhere else!! Each and every problem is magnified to the power of one thousand due to cultural and religious constraints.

1-Financial Barrier

It’s a factor you have to seriously consider before getting involved with anyone because living costs in Egypt are relatively high. Getting your children a decent education needs a lot of money and I mean a fortune. Living in a decent house, appartment, or better yet Ā a compound is very pricy. Clothes too require a handsome budget . Everything is extremely costly, so unfortunately you cannot only consider love when choosing your life partner. Even if you approve, chances are your parents won’t. “gaw hanebny betna tooba fada we tooba men dahab da mesh hayenfa3”

financial barrier

2-Social/Cultural Barrier

You are not just marrying a man or a woman you’re marrying into a whole FAMILY with its history and “Name”!! It’s not enough that you are getting married to a decent man/woman, there are socio/cultural backgrounds to contemplate.Ā “Da Ebn meen ? We esm 3eilto eh? We ahlo beyeshtaghalo eh?”

culture

3-Lifestyle Barrier

This one is a bit superficial but it somehow affects the relationship on the long-term. Where do they like to go out? Do they drink? Do they party? Because if they do drink and party and their partners don’t, Ā it would be a huge problem. In Egypt, we tend to be extremists not allowing veiled girls in certain clubs, bars or pubs. If you go for the guy frequenting such venues with his friends, you will end up home alone. So, don’t get married to someone who doesn’t belong to your world!!

lifestyle

4-Educational/ Professional Barrier

“Kahreeg eh?” we “Madraset eh?” we “Gam3et eh?” …. “Doctor wala mohandes?” wala Ā ” AUC” YESSS IT DOES COUNT !!! “Momasela aw men el wasat el fany? enta eganent?”

educational

5-Age Barrier

Luckily in Egypt it’s not a big deal if the age difference is in favor of the man but a HUGE one if it’s vice versa. It’s not easily digested by Ā parents esp. that usually Ā younger men beykoono lesa odamhom geish we lesa “mabanash nafso” in addition to the stereotypical misconception of “en shakl el bent bey3agez asra3” so forget about our dream couple Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore! after all he broke up with her and went for the younger Mila Kunis. However, we can’t deny that daddys get particularly annoyed from older guys marrying their little daughters.

Age barrier

6-The In-Laws Barrier

The Egyptian in-laws are like no other, trust me on that .. Even if 7amatek is an angel, don’t be fooled !! They magnify each and every problem and get involved in every little detail!!

In Laws

7- Religion Barrier

This is actually the biggest Ā barrier of them all because in Egypt religion is taken very seriously, sometimes in a narrow minded kind of way. Even if you found THE one, Ā he can turn out to be Muslim and you’re Christian or the other way round. And even if they’re willing to convert and they’re convinced of the other religion, they just can’t because they might get themselves killed or disowned by their family and friends. So, no it’s not hard enough to find your soul-mate but he also has to be from the same religion.

Religion barrier

I still believe that love can conquer all. Some people are born tough; they struggle and don’t give much weight to societal barriers. Be that person, have faith and stand strong against all odds!!