1. You have way too many cousins.

And you know each and every one of them.

2. You put olive oil on everything including food, skin and hair.

You know it’s, like, really healthy, right?

3. Your parents raise their voice when making long distance calls.

It’s like pressing the elevator buttons over and over again hoping that it would come faster. That’s not how technology works, mom and dad!

4. If your name is Mohamed, you’re going to be called by your family name or a nickname given to you by your friends but never by your real name.

The only time your real name is used is on official documents.

5. This is a big ‘no no’:

6. You’re always late.

“Wallah I’m only 5 minutes away!”

7. A weekend at grandmas house means a weekend of non-stop eating.

You better eat or you know she’s going to force-feed you.

8. Your mom will refuse any help around the house yet will constantly complain about how she never gets any help around the house.

You just can’t win.

9. Your entire family is waiting impatiently for you to get married.

They will tell you things like “When I was your age, I was married and had 32 kids.”

10. All Arab mothers weapon of choice

We’re all a little too familiar with our moms’ slippers.

11. Inshallah and ‘no’ are essentially the same thing.

We had to learn that after years of constant disappointment.

12. Your family invites 2 people over for dinner but makes food enough for 20 people.

And the ‘left-overs’ last you a whole week!

13. Tea is the official drink in any Arab house.

Just woke up? Drink tea. Got a headache? Drink tea. Dizzy? Tea. Need to study? Tea. Having guests over? Tea. House is on fire? Tea.

14. No matter how old you get, you will forever be scared of your parents.

There’s no such thing as being old enough to live by your own rules!