A Valentine's day classic that every Egyptian received via chain email years ago. (Photo not mine)
There's no explanation as to why Egyptians seem to be so fond of Valentine's day. No explanation - and no excuse really. Especially, as my students pointed out on Sunday, that we have TWO "Valentine" days - the other is the local "love day", early November. And that it was funny that Egyptians were celebrating a Saint's martyrdom, but eh.
Stores "have been gearing up for a month", told me one salesman, as he wrapped a Made in China overpriced pointless gift in a Made in China overpriced cardboard box - why we seem so damn fond of those boxes I have no idea - before putting the whole thing in translucent red wrapping which kinda ruined the whole thing. "We even hired a couple more people for today and yesterday", as his pointed with his chin at two girls also busy wrapping fluffy stuff inside more red packaging.
It was NOT cute. It was fucking nauseating! It's like every store in this city vomited red teddy bears. It invaded the sidewalks, the trees - poor trees - people's clothes. Even the beggars on the 6th of October bridge were selling flowers bouquets and dolls...
It is however fairly funny to see big scary-looking store clercs wearing cupid t-shirts.
Anyways. Below are a few photos I took yesterday. If they cause nausea, epilepsy crises or otherwise discomfort, blame Vicki, she asked for them.
What I have to say for Valentine's day?
Happy Chinese New year of the Tiger.
Giant teddy bears.
As many boxes as there are teddy bears.
Check out the guy's Homer Simpson-as-Cupid t-shirt.
المفتش كورمبو بيشجع الفالانتاين، و احنا معاه.
More boxes. And fluffy shit.
More fucking teddy bears. That store, btw, normally sells stationary.
6th of October bridge. It's called being attuned to the customer's needs.
6th of October bridge.
Not celebrating.
11 comments:
Epic.
- Hermaeness
Very interesting. When did the Hallmark holiday become so important?
I remember when I lived in Egypt in the 90's V.day was rarely celebrated. I wonder if globalization has anything to do with this change?
The streets of Cairo look exactly like the streets of Philly: tacky red baskets and what they call 'teddy bears.' Ha!
Thank God I've been @ home that day so I didn't see all that nonsense..
Thankyouuu.
So, I'm wondering what religious authorities have to say about VDay in Egypt given the huge surge it's experiencing and, also, whether people care that the holiday primarily originated in America.
Also, the Homer shirt is awesome.
that first pic---i know a russian guy who spells his name that way...
In Ramallah they tried to convince me to buy the disgusting flowers by saying : "شكلك حبيب شكلك حبيب" .... hehehe :)
I thought it was worse in the US, but your photos show that I am wrong! :)
Mae:
You missed it! C'etait pas aussi 'joli' chez vous, si? :)
Organica:
We're totally getting 'globalized'. It's especially clear when we realise that we're celebrating the 'international' Valentine Day rather than the Egyptian one on November 4th (or is it 5th?)
Lasto Adri:
Noooo... you missed the teddy bear invasion? Pity. :)
Vicky:
there are people celebrating Halloween now.. basically the gov/authorities will have no objection on anything that doesn't bother them. People want to spend half their salary on made in China teddy bears? Fine by them!
Farouk:
Well you now have his next birthday gift: print out the photo!
Khaled:
مانتا فعلا شكلك حبيب يا حلو انت يا حلو!
Catherine V:
Indeed. We have perfected the art of tackiness. :)
المفتش كورمبو بيشجع الفالانتاين، و احنا معاه.
Love it
Globalization pollution....
Halloween?! In Egypt?!
Doesn't this tick you off? I get extremely upset at Valentine's Day garbage all over the malls...
Khaled: :)
Aliyah06: I do get ticked off.. too commercial. Buying roses for 4 times the price is a lousy display of affection, i think..
Post a Comment