This is the famous Cliché sentence you always hear at the end of any conversation that happens with your mum… “asl ana ma3reftesh araby”
“enta matrabetsh” “matamarsh feek el tarbeya” etc… it goes on and on…
Here are some of the conversations that happen daily with my mum:
CONVERSATION #1
Me: Good morning mum.
Mum: WHAT?! Are you going to work with these patched pants?! Are you going to work or you are going begging in the streets?
Me: No, Mum these are ripped jeans… and they are so trendy these days.
Mum: Says who?!
Me: Calvin Klein.
Mum: bala Calvin bala zeft, asl ana ma3reftesh araby…
CONVERSATION #2
Me: *cough cough*
Mum: You caught a flu, Sa7?
Me: I think so…
Mum: Hmm… Do you remember when I told you to wear a jacket and a scarf because it was cold and you didn’t want to ruin your stupid outfit and gave me some retarded reasons?
Me: Yes mum but that was five months ago!
Mum: hmm… Mana ma3reftesh arabeek asly!
CONVERSATION #3
(On the Phone)
Me: Hey Mum!
Mum: WHERE ARE YOU???!!!
Me: Mum, its 9 a.m. Where do you think I am?!
Mum: tab matrod 3edel, and say you are at work… We ba3dein howa kol youm WORK, WORK, WORK?!!! Plus I heard now on T.V that there is trouble in Tahrir, so the country is not safe!
Me: It is absolutely normal for people to go to work everyday Mum! Do you actually think that I will send my boss an email saying that my mum doesn’t want me to come to work every day? I’m 28 mum!!
Mum: begad… matamarsh fek el tarbeya!
CONVERSATION #4
Mum: Where are you going?
Me: I am going to hang out with some friends.
Mum: Enta hatefdal metsarma7 fil shaware3 keda? Howa kol youm khoroog? This is a home not a “Bansion”!
Me: I am working all week long, I don’t see people anymore. All I see is my desk, laptop, boss, and colleagues! I just want to see different faces and talk with friends about stuff other than work for a change.
Mum: Okay! Do what you want…
Me: Mum you forgot to say something…
Mum: What!
Me: “ASL ANA MA3REFTESH ARABY.”
Okay, Mum you really raised me very well, you raised a big man who is responsible and knows what to wear or how to work and when to see his friends. I know very well that you are worried about me and that you have every right in all these conversations… But let me try and experience stuff on my own and learn from my mistakes better than continue taking advice from you.
On a lighter note: If I were in my mum’s shoes, I will probably do the same! No one knows what the future holds…
