Visitors, and the 'generosity'

  Being an Arab, and living in the Arabic environment means one thing : Being generous.

Well, specifically I'm writing about being generous to our guests. To us, it's like a duty to make our guests\visitors feel comfortable and good when they're visiting us. It would be considered as a big shame if the guest isn't happy, comfortable or satisfied from the visit.

A personal thing : My parents always taught me not to ask anything from anyone. Yes, it's the pride. Die proud but never ask for something from anyone. Well it could be bad sometimes but this is how I am. I don't ask for anything, it's considered as a very shameful and despicable thing to me. 

You get the picture, yeah?

I live in the Netherlands. in Europe. 
It's so different here. Everyone only cares for him\herself, there is no generosity. [ yes it could be bad sometimes, to be honest] but yeah, this is a very different culture than what we're used to, in Oman.
Every time I host something at my house, my friends would ask me if they have to bring anything, my reply is always : No, I have everything we need.
& yeah, I actually bother to go and buy things to make sure we're not really missing anything, and that I would be a good host, provide everything they need.
My pride won't let me ask them to get anything. I can't say yes to that.
I figured I can't adapt with the culture here, somehow but I'm still trying.. It might take me sometime... 
I somehow feel less guilty after talking with a friend, and he said it's normal for us to help and bring things too, so I don't have to worry much about it. I felt good, but I'm not sure yet if I will let them get things next time.

 One more thing is, when I'm in Oman, my parents provide everything I need for any party I'm hosting, but it's different now.. I'm a student in a foreign country. I have to survive and manage my money well, but if I keep doing what I do ''being generous'' I'll end up really broke. See, my parents would send me money anytime I need but I don't want to depend on them. I can manage just right alone. Sometimes I tell myself I can be generous later when I work but yea... PRIDE!

  Hopefully next time I'm hosting something, I'll just tell them to get something it would be easier. We're all students here I shouldn't feel embarrassed or ashamed because yeah.. this is not my country. It's time to give the generosity some break.


I know many might think I'm stupid or a fool for doing that but you can't really judge if you haven't lived in culture like I did. It's a very beautiful thing, to be generous, believe me.