In every Arab household is a room called the "salon" aka living room, except for the fact that there's nothing 'living' about it, given that no one ever goes there.
It's more of an exhibit piece really.
As is the case with fabled places, there are certain rules that go along with the salon.
1. It's more of an museum exhibit piece than a 'living' room
Don't even try to step foot in the salon. Even if your mom isn't around, she will find out you were inside, and she will kill you.
The only reason I was ever allowed inside the salon as a child was because that was the only place that the piano would fit and I would always have my recitals in there, under her strict supervision.
2. It's filled with framed photographs of people you've never met
During brief moments of passing through the salon, ever look at photographs and wonder... "Who are these people?"
The people in the salon are people who are worthy of being in the salon at all times. For example you, when you graduated were worthy. But not you when you left the house afterwards.
No, you're trash if you leave mama's house.
3. Thou shalt have three sets of furniture
I would offer an explanation to this, but I need someone to explain it to me first.
I don't understand why most salons have at least 3 sets of furniture, and all with the exact same pieces: A couch, a coffee table and 2 arm chairs.
I mean, if a sizable amount of guests to be graced with the salon come over, mama would inevitably need to mix and match her perfectly placed furniture sets anyway!
4. For VIP guests only
If, at some unusual point in time, a small amount of guests come over, and are seated in the salon, you know for sure that they're important.
To find out how important they are, you just need to find out which furniture set they're being seated at. The middle set is for the least important, the one on the side for higher importance. The one with the sheets on it at all times? It's practically holy.
If they're seated there they're probably discussing your future and a possible spouse for you.
5. You come to forget how lavish and beautiful it is
Since your time in the salon is extremely scarce, you tend to forget how beautiful it is. Even passing by and sneaking glances won't do you any good to get a real grip of the sheer scale of it all.
Arab moms have their salon decorated immaculately, and you need the huge crystal chandelier to see everything the way she had planned it
6. Swarovski trinkets stand in for human beings
Your mom probably has beautiful cabinets filled with little crystal trinkets, and shelves with random ceramic objects like a stork or a butterfly. These are the closest things to living beings in your living room
The dining room part will have see-through cupboards with the fanciest china plates (that you never use) and each set of cutlery will be complete.