Wednesday, January 15, 2014

What Arab Men Want in a Woman

An article titled 'Wanted: a Barbie who doesn't mind a hairy, greasy Ken' published in The National sometime back in mid-2013 has recently surfaced up on my Facebook news feed. I was obviously intrigued at first by the article's title, but was later taken aback by its contents as I finished going through it. In summary, the writer looks into addressing the question: What do Arab men look for in a woman?

Image credit: seijaku
The writer starts off by stating that she doesn't want to generalise her findings as they are based on her research from speaking to a number of men who come from different Arab countries, yet as you continue reading, she describes that all men she interviewed "had thick curly black hair that looked slimy with gel. They were also quite hairy, and you have no choice but to notice their chest hair given their widely open shirts often elaborated with gold chains, or silver "halal" chains worn by more religious men". The writer later claims that only some men will deny that her sample represents them!

Before I proceed with my two cents on this appalling description of all Arab men, I will share with you the summary of the writer's findings:

According to the article, Arab men apparently look for a woman who is:

  1. Naameh (soft and gentle). One who doesn't talk too much, isn't loud, or nag;
  2. Fair and blonde;
  3. Educated, and holds a degree that didn't come at the expense of interacting with many men and forcing her to live away from her parents; and
  4. From a good family with a good reputation and plenty of money.

Though this Barbie-like image might indeed appeal to a few shallow men (whether Arabic, or not), the reality of the situation is that the above findings in no way resemble what REAL Arab men want. Men, in general, look for a woman who is:

  1. Respectable: a woman who is both well-mannered and well-behaved is extremely attractive to any respectable man. Self-respect also establishes trust in the relationship!
  2. Presentable: I won't deny that looks do play a role, but at the same time, the woman doesn't have to be a model. Men are normally very happy with a woman who knows how to take care of how she presents herself, in appearance, to people
  3. Knowledgeable: nothing is more stimulating to a man's mind than having an interesting conversation with his life-partner. Knowledge shapes the personality; and to quote a wise person: "A gorgeous face catches your eyes, but a gorgeous personality captures your heart"
  4. Ambitious: a woman who aims to achieve something she wants; whether it be success in her career, or the accomplishment of something she always desired, is very inspiring to real men
  5. Loving and Caring: this is the most important of them all because, though women think otherwise, a man picks up on the difference between a woman who genuinely loves and cares for him, and a woman who simply seeks the security of getting married irrespective of who the man is. Who do you think men will prefer?
Though I respectfully disagree with the writer's account of what Arab men want, I think that her article was a necessary spark to address many false stereotypes on this subject. I also invite the writer to take a stroll in any of the UAE's malls, and make a note of how many men she finds whose hair are slimy with gel, and walk around with open shirts that are elaborated with gold or silver chains. If she does so, I am quite certain she will understand why I will choose to be among "the few men" who will deny that her sample represents them!


Follow Rami Jaber on Twitter: @JaberRami




2 comments:

  1. I am very much delighted to every viewers that is reading this,i want to inform the whole public of how me and my lover got cured from herpes simplex virus,i was diagnosed of herpes since 3 years ago and also find out that my herpes virus also effected my lover,this disease started circulating all over our body, and we have also taken treatment from our doctor,few weeks back i came on the net to see if i will be able to get any information as to curing this disease, on my search i saw various testimony of someone who was healed from herpes simplex virus by the great man called Dr OMOAREBUN and i told my lover about it and without any hesitation, we contacted his email: dromoarebunokosunspelltemple@gmail.com we wrote him and and he guided us,we asked him for solutions and he started the remedies for the both of us and indeed 1week after me and my lover started using the medicine, we were completely cured no doubt was found on my body and of my lover,so dear viewer why wasting your time living with this STD infection you can contact him now he is able to cure any kinds of disease,contact his Email dromoarebunokosunspelltemple@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Psychiatry & Therapy Centre includes very experienced Psychiatrists, Psychotherapist & Psychologists who will improve your mental health in Dubai!
    best psychiatry in dubai

    ReplyDelete