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Multicultural families

Here's where to share your experience of raising a child or growing up in a multicultural family.

What is the consequences of marrying an Arab(Middle East) man.

35 replies

BlueGreen · 23/09/2008 09:57

Would like to know fellow MS`s opinions who are married to an Arab man.

Thanks

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pinkmagic1 · 23/09/2008 12:05

What would you like to know?

BlueGreen · 23/09/2008 14:43

Anything...?

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BlueGreen · 23/09/2008 14:43

Anything and everything

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donnie · 23/09/2008 14:44

bit of a vague question.

beeny · 23/09/2008 14:45

Is he a practising muslim

brimfull · 23/09/2008 14:45

your child will probably have brown eyes??

BlueGreen · 23/09/2008 14:56

Well...dont know really but I know he does fast.

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BlueGreen · 23/09/2008 14:56

ggirl

Its ok as i love brown eyes

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pinkmagic1 · 23/09/2008 15:46

Been married to an Egyptian guy for almost 11 years, if you want any advice I would be happy to help but you are a bit vague.

Dominion · 23/09/2008 15:50

My take is: If you dont know the consequences of marrying a man from the middle east, you quite possibly dont know him well enough to get married?

dustyteddy · 23/09/2008 15:55

I'm married to a jordanian. He is gorg, no you can't have him

He is christian, luckily for me, as we had no problems over religious differences.

All the jordanian men I have met so far, seem more respectful to women than british men I have dated.

dustyteddy · 23/09/2008 15:57

ggirl - my dc's have blue eyes, like me, although dh's are brown.

cranmorefifi · 23/09/2008 16:02

my dad is Iranian. I think that his relationship has been quite strained with my mum at times due to massive cultural differences. I found it very hard growing up - he was very strict about boyfriends (they weren't even allowed to call the house), I was allowed out once a week till 17 and had to be home by 11.30 till I was 18. Caused a lot of friction with my mum. To him, he was being quite liberal, for a western culture it wasn't enough. That said I love him a lot and we have put this behind us. When I got pregnant unexpectedly at 25 he supported me (which I didn;t expect). He was also great with all of us until we became teenagers, and now we don';t live at home we have a great relationship with him again.

HTH

Halzer · 23/09/2008 19:56

I think the question is a bit vague. Surely the man should be judged by his individual character and not by where he is from.
His culture may have an influence in your life but otherwise its probably better to give a description about what he is like and what your specific concerns.

Anna8888 · 23/09/2008 20:06

Like other posters, I think your question is too vague.

My DP is Jewish but I don't feel qualified to answer the question "What are the consequences of being married to a Jew?".

skinnygirlNOT · 23/09/2008 21:20

I am a middle eastern arab (christian) and I would say the biggest problems are (whether christian, muslim or jewish):

  1. toxic MILs
  2. when his family are around they will always come first.

If you can overcome (2)then you are unlikely to have any problems unless.........he is muslim and you aren't and you aren't willing to convert. That in itself is ok until you have children.

BlueGreen · 24/09/2008 09:20

Dominion

Yes, you are right I dont know him well. Thing is I know this guy for a short time and I quite like him and he says he would like to know me better. So I just wanted to have a bit info. about an Arab guys from Middle East ( he is Omani by the way). As I have heard from people that they are demanding and they like to be served and spoilt( who doesnt ) etc.

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DaddyJ · 24/09/2008 09:50

I have many Middle Eastern friends but I would struggle to generalise based on that.

Watch closely how he treats other women, how his friends treat their partners, how his Dad treats his Mum.

That might give you the biggest clue as to what your life is going to be like when you are married to him.

BlueGreen · 24/09/2008 10:01

Thank you DaddyJ.

Your words make sense! But, there is a tiny teeny problem as he doesnt live where I am but, flys very frequently. So I dont think I would be able to know how hes friends or his dad treats their partners

But I have to say I have a very good feelings about him and me think he is a great guy.

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AnarchyAunt · 24/09/2008 10:04

Bit early to be thinking about marriage isn't it?

The advice everyone has given here is sound and good. Get to know him, and you should fined out the answers you need for yourself.

ChopsTheDuck · 24/09/2008 10:12

I've been with my dp 5 years, his is indian, hindu, I am white and was raised christian. The difference in religion is a relatively small issue in a mixed race relationship. If you don't wish to convert, then all you need to do is learn enough to understand and respect his beliefs. Personally I think that children in mixed race relationships should be brought up to learn about both sides of their heritage and free to make their own choices.

The biggest issue is culture, especially surrounding family. A person brought up in a different culture can have totally different perspectives on everyday things, and its that which makes a mixed relationship more complicated.

I think ti takes a strong relationship to work where there are massive cultural differences and you shouldn't rush into anything until you've experienced the 'consequences' youself.

pinkmagic1 · 24/09/2008 10:24

Like others have said everyone is an individual
and everyone and their respective families have different ideas regardless of where they come from. The one thing most Arabs have in common however is extremely strong family values.

ForeverOptimistic · 24/09/2008 10:28

If you need to ask these questions you should not even be considering marriage.

Acinonyx · 24/09/2008 10:48

My bparents are mixed, european xian and Pakistani muslim. I also lived in the middle-east for 6 years and know many mixed couples. Religion is not a small issue in this situation. The mixed couples where they are both xian have had a mcuh less troubled time than the others. The religion and the culture are inseperable and it greatly affects the attitude and influence of the extended family wrt the non-muslim spouse.

I wonder if you are asking because he has already mentioned marriage? Sometimes arab men propose very quickly which can seem very romantic. Just take your time and don't let yourself be rushed into anything before you are ready.

BlueGreen · 24/09/2008 10:53

Thing is he who wants to get marry( at some stage i would too) but the problem is at the moment he doesnt live where i m but comes very offen. And I need time to get to know him better( according to him he knows me ) and he doesnt want to wait that long.

In terms of religion we both belive the same religion so there is no issue. And cultural issues not a big deal for me as I`m very adaptable.

Foreeveroptimistic,

I agree with you but, Im not planing to marry yet thats why im asking MNs who are married to one and how their marriage going on with an Arab man

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