Well, I bet you read a lot about Lebanon, about its culture, history (told and untold), and definitely about its people and food. I am sure you also heard a lot of contradicting stories about this country. Well these are not contradicting. Lebanon is a bipolar country with a thousand characters.
Here are 10 facts to be said about my country:
Always the first

Lebanese have been taught since their early childhood to be the first in everything – first in class, first one to buy a phone, first one to land on the moon, first one to create alphabet. This is why you will notice in the behavior of the Lebanese a continuous first reaction on almost anything and a confident leadership attitude: always the first to pay, always trying to bypass all other cars to be ahead , always the first one to complain. On another level, Lebanese are extreme, which means also that if they are not the first in something, then they are definitely the last: the last to arrive (always late for any occasion, even on their own wedding day), the last to cross the orange light before it turns red (and even if it turns red, not a single Lebanese wants to be the first one to stop on the light – we are unstoppable).
Driving Rules

There is only one driving rule in Lebanon – nah I am kidding, no rules over here. Driving in Lebanon is spontaneous. The first thing I was told before driving is that I am supposed to have 10 eyes and to have the skills of reading the minds of surrounding drivers to predict their route. On another note, road lanes in Lebanon have another meaning: road lanes are the axis of the car and wheels of the car are supposed to be in-between the lane.
Pedestrians have no priority pass of course. Just wait until someone decides that they want to do something good today and they will let you pass.
Also, finding a free space on the road to park is almost impossible in Beirut. If surprisingly you find a free space, come closer and you will find that it is either an access to a secondary road or the entrance to the parking of a building.
Restaurants or car dealers?

If you have the chance to drive by one of the restaurants in Beirut at night, you will think that the restaurant is also a luxury car dealing shop. All the fancy cars are parked at the entrance of the restaurant. This is mainly a strategy for -of course- the famous show-off and a message to all people outside that “the richest people eat in our restaurant”.
The art of ignoring

At a road intersection, if you want to pass, regardless of the priority rules, just drive and don’t stop and of course, do not make any eye contact with the other driver. Act as if the road is empty and you shall pass in peace. Ignoring also works in long queues: just bypass and ignore the people around and act as if you were there first.
SURPRISEEEE !

Lebanese adore surprises like pre-planned surprise birthday (or any other occasion) parties where you will have two types of people: the know-it-all inspector one who says with confidence: “I knew it!” and starts revealing all the clues that led him to solving the mystery, and the act-surprised one who actually knew it and maybe participated in planning it and acts surprised and extremely emotional because people care about them.
Also Lebanese adore events: extremely expensive weddings (but luckily now you can apply for a wedding loan in case you still want to make others happy), extremely expensive kids’ birthday parties made for the mommies to show-off their recent wardrobe and that also includes a zaffeh and building a whole amusement park for the baby’s 1st year on earth.
Organic V/S natural

We also have almost everything “organic” naturally and yet and we go and buy it from the stores. We have the affordable baladi soaps made of fresh olive oil and yet we got and buy extremely expensive imported organic soaps; we have (or used to have) 4 seasons and a nice fresh weather all year long and we are building towers made of glass without balconies.
Freekeh is the new Quinoa – and reservations for street food

Street food is becoming a trend and is becoming weirdly expensive in seated places that require reservations. Street food is becoming a luxury. Oh and surprisingly the long-time known freekeh which fed all our ancestors is now the new exotic Quinoa that we just discovered. I can’t wait for the time when the Kebbeh Bi Laban will be exotic and new as well. On another level, after any meal, enjoy a good local coffee and make sure to order Lebanese coffee (never say Turkish!).
Cursing a country that we love

Lebanese always look for opportunities to leave their cursed country, looking for better living conditions, a more organized country and probably a foreign passport and yet of course once they hear Feiruz or Wadih El Safi while abroad, they cry and say “mafi metel trabak ya lebnen”.
Sneaking food

Sneaking food since early childhood: well, I guess all of us sneaked gummy bears’ candies or kri-kri nuts inside their trousse (pencil’s case) before entering to a class in school. Now this is in the Lebanese blood and food sneaking can occur in hospitals or in theaters: make sure you have a big bag with you before entering to the theater and sneak some frozen yogurt or a burger or a shawarma to enjoy the show. And yes the security guy of the theater knows and ignores because they probably do that as well!
Heads up high – except in…

Lebanese have a head’s high attitude. We are always proud, we never bend. We are super confident even when we have no clue what we are talking about. Confidence is key. The only time a Lebanese bends his/her head and look to the ground is when they are walking on a sidewalk where pets seek relief.
Dina Hajjar
*All gifs are collected from the internet
Dina Hajjar 