Picture by Ali Shaib

I saw today this post on Lebanese Memes’ Facebook Page as a reply to my earlier post:

Just to be clear at first, I’ve been a fan of your page even before it got so popular and I still think you guys are pulling a great job by attracting so many people (without paid ads). The only reason I posted was because you’re a fun page and the video I saw was a bit too serious.

Speaking of the SMAs, and as I stated in one of the comments, I had considered you but didn’t know where to nominate you. I even thought of asking the people behind SMA to add a category for fun and creative social media pages.

What you said clarified things and I thank you for your honest and professional reply. As far as portraying the bad habits we have in Lebanon, I can’t help but comment on such things from time to time as well and try to make some fun out of it (through memes also) and Patrick did make a valid point.

PS: I would choose you over Nemr Abou Nassar anytime.

Thanks you la 2elak too :P

GoOd MoRninG LebAnOn – thx u Nath Halawani 4 sharing

Don’t you love reading constructive criticism in early morning?

Dear Blog Baladi thx u la elak for what you wrote :) I am only answering you because it is a respectful constructive mature criticism.

- You wrote: “I was even more surprised to learn they are turning the Lebanese Memes Facebook page into some business with a mission”

Lebanese memes is not a business, it is a “just for fun facebook page” which is trying to add value to the society. We are not turning it into anything, this was our mission statement since day 1.

- You also wrote: “No Lebanese would want to spread the ways of life portrayed to foreigners because that’s not something to be proud of.”

Patrick already answered you, Any comedian is technically “spreading the ways of life portrayed” in whatever country they’re living in, good or bad. Would you like to tell this to Nemr Abou Nassar for example? Not to mention that this page is for the fans (a 100% real community – NO FAKE LIKES) and they make most of the memes so we as a Lebanese Memes community, being away from politics and religion are trying to be sarcastic about what is happening in Lebanon and hoping to change things via humor.

-You also wrote: “One last thing, I think they should remove the lame memes, not just the ones who are racist or sexist.”

I would love to remove the memes that i find lame, but i have to respect the people who find it funny :) + the fans spend time in creating a meme and then sharing it on the page. It is their way of spreading their ideas lame or not.

Thx u la elak again for what you wrote and hope that this reply will generate a good flow for your blog :)

http://blogbaladi.com/lebanese-memes/

Picture taken from ShopTalkBeirut

That was a fun read.

This is a public safety announcement: While traveling to Lebanon this year, you’ll likely experience rapid “re-Lebanization,” a troubling process of moral and social degeneration linked to “relapsing remitting Lebanese-ness” — a genetic disorder that has perplexed the public health community.

Researchers believe that the severity of symptoms depend on your proximity to Lebanon. To reduce your re-Lebanization risk, then, please consider vacationing in Siberia, Antarctica, or the Falklands. (Areas with significant Lebanese diaspora populations may trigger symptoms too. Avoid the Americas, Europe, West Africa, the Arab Gulf, and Lacoste stores around the world.)

Airports in Europe will test your ability to cope; apparently, the convergence of transatlantic travelers and their European diaspora counterparts increases contagion risks. A government official who isn’t important enough to name told NOW that “airport lounges are incubators for the disease… After prolonged exposure to damn Lebanese people in a confined area, even the most civil people succumb!”

As you approach the departure gate, the diverse human terrain of America and Europe will recede. Sepia tones — the olive, bronze, brown, and “comme le caramel” of Lebanese folk — will surface instead. With a knowing glance, a wink, and a smirk, you’ll quickly identify your compatriots. At your leisure, you may now deploy the slightly contrived, but always welcome, “Keef el shabeb?!?”

Boarding accelerates the emergence of symptoms. All of you will become less patient and courteous, inordinately sensitive to the transformation of others, and increasingly oblivious to your own behavior. [Full Article]

No helmets and no plate numbers needed.

Note: Someone pointed out that this could be a parody account and not the real one. If anyone can confirm that, it would be good to know.

My eyes are hurting.

via Said

Picture taken by myself – LeNajib

Picture taken by myself – LeNajib

Picture taken by Mark

Picture taken by Mark

Picture taken by Mark

I am uploading two videos but they are taking forever cause of the slow connection. I will update the post as soon as they are ready.

[YouTube]

I saw this YouTube video by mistake today and was honestly surprised to learn Lebanese Memes have a YouTube Channel and are taking part in the Social Media Awards. I was even more surprised to learn they are turning the Lebanese Memes Facebook page into some business with a mission “to reunite ALL the Lebanese people (In Lebanon & around the world) via pure Lebanese humor” and an objective “to be the number one Lebanese facebook page & to give foreigners an idea about our culture and WAYS of life.”

Speaking of our culture and ways of life:

Kidnapping has become part of our culture

Mocking the Lebanese Nationality

Praising Myriam Klink

No comment

Zouk Power Plant is part of our culture?

Don’t get me wrong, I like some of the memes and think they are funny but that’s about it. No Lebanese would want to spread the ways of life portrayed to foreigners because that’s not something to be proud of. I am hoping whomever is behind that page is being sarcastic about it but it doesn’t look that way and this kind of beats the purpose of a meme.

One last thing, I think they should remove the lame memes, not just the ones who are racist or sexist.

[YouTube]

To be honest, I have mixed feelings about this campaign just like the guys at Brofessional. The reason is that unlike many, I happened to know May’s tragic story but people who don’t will get a bit confused.

In all cases, YASA and others are doing a great job promoting awareness but the accidents are still on the rise and the roads are getting worse. I think it’s time we move from TVCs to more practical approaches or maybe a mixture of both.

You can watch May’s Interview with Min el Ekhir Talk of the Town [Here].

A State of Trance 600 is taking place tonight and it promises to be one of the best parties of the year. See you all there.

Armin arriving at the airport

Armin tweeting that he’s in Beirut

And my reply to him.

Protecting women from domestic violence is as important as any other issue in this country. Having said that, a hunger strike is an extreme and life-threatening measure but it might pressure the government to amend these archaic laws ASAP. This is the first time I hear about hunger strikes in Lebanon so let’s hope it will end well.

March 8,2013 was the International day for Women. After years of receiving nothing but deaf ears from the Lebanese parliamentary committee, a group of Lebanese women will be giving the Lebanese Parliament one more week to correct article 522 and serve justice to Lebanese women who still suffer from domestic violence. They plan to start a hunger strike and will need all the support possible, be it via social media or on the ground. [Link]

Thanks Marwan!