I always referred to this as the universal disclaimer. I also learned to be flexible and accept this reality. My other favorite saying is mashi or mah-she and the accompanying emoji 🤌. Having just finsihed opening my first HSBC account in Egypt which took 5 months and 4 visits to the bank to sing paperwork it became clear that no one new what the requirements really were. It was a process of discovery and God finally willed that I get an account.
“The universal disclaimer” is the perfect way to refer to it! Lol, 5 months sounds about right. When I first moved to Egypt I remember thinking that the 🤌 (as in “be patient”) gesture might be kind of rude, like telling someone they need to calm down. And while I have seen it used in a rude way in certain situations, it’s really just a part of life here...things are going to take as long as they take, and everyone needs to be reminded of that sometimes.
What wonderful synchronicity! I have been writing about surrendering to the chaos of uncertainty all morning. I somehow had forgotten about Inshallah. I Niger I used to insist "pas de Inshallah" when making plans, despite knowing the futility of my command.
How funny that we would be thinking about the same thing! Hah, I’m sure you experienced your fair amount of insha’allahs in Niger...it would be interesting to know how different countries/cultures use it differently, or if it’s more or less the same everywhere.
But there’s more: IBM. Insha’allah bukra maalish. It’s Arabic for manana, which doesn’t necessarily mean tomorrow, but mostly not today, with just a touch of apology.
I actually didn't know about the Quran requirement. I found myself hitting the wall of Insha'allah a lot when I worked in the UAE. "Yes I'll get this paperwork for you to do that thing you're required to do tomorrow, Insha'allah." Sometimes it happened but mostly it didn't! One time I got so frustrated I said, "No, not Insha'allah, Insha'-YOU!" YOU'RE responsible for the paperwork! If YOU don't do it, I can't do my responsibilities, and then what am I even here for??
But on the other hand, the Western cult of personal responsibility often has us discarding and victim-blaming people who could use a supporting hand, from God or anybody. One of the things I realize AFTER leaving the Middle East is how often the Emiratis' confusion came from wondering why I cared so much if the thing didn't get done -- after all, I was getting paid and doing my job anyway. Why sweat if Allah chose I not be productive for another day?
In the end the West could use more Insha'allah, and the Arab World can use a little bit more "Yes I will do that."
Very much agree with your last paragraph--there is a healthy balance somewhere in between! I was at a dinner party the other night where a woman said a lot of Egyptian moms will say “insha’allah” when their kids ask for stuff, and it’s just a way of saying no 🤣
Great article Sam, Inshallah has been a word that I grew up with as my parents always used that word when they are talking with their friends or when it comes to an upcoming test I have. For me, I found I have used this word a lot as well whether if I'm hoping tomorrow is a better day or that my life will be less of a mess than it is right now.
Thanks for this fascinating insight to other ways of interacting with the world. I feel like that's been a large part of our nomadic journey the past six years. I certainly know I've lost many of my American ways of seeing and being with the world.
Thanks for reading, Michael! That’s my favorite part of being abroad--it makes you re-examine the most basic parts of your worldview. And while I don’t expect I’ll be able to shed all of my American biases this way, I’ll settle for the improved self-awareness!
I always referred to this as the universal disclaimer. I also learned to be flexible and accept this reality. My other favorite saying is mashi or mah-she and the accompanying emoji 🤌. Having just finsihed opening my first HSBC account in Egypt which took 5 months and 4 visits to the bank to sing paperwork it became clear that no one new what the requirements really were. It was a process of discovery and God finally willed that I get an account.
“The universal disclaimer” is the perfect way to refer to it! Lol, 5 months sounds about right. When I first moved to Egypt I remember thinking that the 🤌 (as in “be patient”) gesture might be kind of rude, like telling someone they need to calm down. And while I have seen it used in a rude way in certain situations, it’s really just a part of life here...things are going to take as long as they take, and everyone needs to be reminded of that sometimes.
I want t-shirts that say “Surrender to the Chaos”, Sam! Great piece, as always.
😂 if my book ever takes off, a “Surrender to the Chaos” shirt will be the first piece of merch I produce! I’ll send you one!!
Deal! 😂
What wonderful synchronicity! I have been writing about surrendering to the chaos of uncertainty all morning. I somehow had forgotten about Inshallah. I Niger I used to insist "pas de Inshallah" when making plans, despite knowing the futility of my command.
How funny that we would be thinking about the same thing! Hah, I’m sure you experienced your fair amount of insha’allahs in Niger...it would be interesting to know how different countries/cultures use it differently, or if it’s more or less the same everywhere.
But there’s more: IBM. Insha’allah bukra maalish. It’s Arabic for manana, which doesn’t necessarily mean tomorrow, but mostly not today, with just a touch of apology.
Cool post about not worrying about what you cannot control!
Thanks, Niall! We could all benefit from worrying less about what we can't control, I think.
Absolutely, it's a superpower if you can master the skill lol!
I actually didn't know about the Quran requirement. I found myself hitting the wall of Insha'allah a lot when I worked in the UAE. "Yes I'll get this paperwork for you to do that thing you're required to do tomorrow, Insha'allah." Sometimes it happened but mostly it didn't! One time I got so frustrated I said, "No, not Insha'allah, Insha'-YOU!" YOU'RE responsible for the paperwork! If YOU don't do it, I can't do my responsibilities, and then what am I even here for??
But on the other hand, the Western cult of personal responsibility often has us discarding and victim-blaming people who could use a supporting hand, from God or anybody. One of the things I realize AFTER leaving the Middle East is how often the Emiratis' confusion came from wondering why I cared so much if the thing didn't get done -- after all, I was getting paid and doing my job anyway. Why sweat if Allah chose I not be productive for another day?
In the end the West could use more Insha'allah, and the Arab World can use a little bit more "Yes I will do that."
Very much agree with your last paragraph--there is a healthy balance somewhere in between! I was at a dinner party the other night where a woman said a lot of Egyptian moms will say “insha’allah” when their kids ask for stuff, and it’s just a way of saying no 🤣
Great article Sam, Inshallah has been a word that I grew up with as my parents always used that word when they are talking with their friends or when it comes to an upcoming test I have. For me, I found I have used this word a lot as well whether if I'm hoping tomorrow is a better day or that my life will be less of a mess than it is right now.
Thanks for reading, Fahim! I’m so glad this resonated with you. Hope you are well 🙂
This was so lovely, Sam. I learned so much!
Thank you, Rebecca! I feel like I learn so much here every day...I’m glad I could share a slice of it.
Thanks for this fascinating insight to other ways of interacting with the world. I feel like that's been a large part of our nomadic journey the past six years. I certainly know I've lost many of my American ways of seeing and being with the world.
Thanks for reading, Michael! That’s my favorite part of being abroad--it makes you re-examine the most basic parts of your worldview. And while I don’t expect I’ll be able to shed all of my American biases this way, I’ll settle for the improved self-awareness!