Night after night, you wait for your favorite show to come on TV as you tuck yourself between your mom and the end of the couch.
The show begins and everyone is attentively quiet. Five minutes into the episode and the first round of commercials starts. No surprises there, everyone takes a break; visiting the kitchen, the restrooms, taking a tour of the house contemplating life, or simply head down with phone in hand.
Commercials sometimes overcome the length of the episode itself, making viewers dread watching TV in the first place. But exceptions do exist, and every once in a while an advertisement takes the trophy and we never let go of it.
Here is a list of purely Lebanese commercials we still remember and refer to on a daily basis:
1. "Batee2" - Alfa
The word "batee2" is used when a person is late or when it takes someone too long to get a joke.
In this commercial, it is being used to refer to Lebanon's slow internet. Let's just say it's gathered somewhat of a following, adding to the popularity of the expression.
2. "Gheir 3alam" - Krikita
Krikita, a brand of prepackaged nuts in Lebanon, totally took the expression "gheir 3alam" to a whole new level.
The latter, which means 'from a different world,' is used to denote a sense of bafflement in response to a person's request, and has become a go-to catchphrase to anything out of the ordinary.
3. "Eza mech el tanen el khamis" - Loto
After realizing that people weren't really buying into the one-day-a-week draw (which happened on Tuesdays), La Libanaise des Jeux introduced additional Thursday draws in a way they never thought would become memorable.
"Eza mech el tanen el khamis," (meaning: If not Tuesday, then Thursday) has become a sort of a go-to expression when people want to postpone or delay something.
Genius. Absolute genius.
4. "Machewe wel chabeb" - Buzz
Year after year of endless commercials and this one still stands out. Love it or hate it, we've all been to a chill barbecue with the gang but had never had an expression for it.
Public: "Chou 3amleen?" (What are you up to?)
Buzz: "Machewe wel chabeb w hek" (Bbq with the gang)
It is now used to describe an ultimate state of chillaxing with friends.
5. "Mech 3amle 3asha? Kel yom delivery?" - Hawa Chicken
Hawa Chicken has had so many good commercials throughout the years, but this one definitely takes the cake ... or the roast chicken!
It's become somewhat of a cult classic if you ask us.
6. "Pampa btefhamle rase" - Pampa
Oh, Fady Raidy and your endless characters ... you just never cease to amaze us!
For this commercial, Pampa - a juice company - hired Lebanon's most popular and hip teen, Jean-Luc (a character played by Raidy).
Jean-Luc is your typically demanding "Fghenchy" youngster who's too hard to please. But Pampa "get's him," and succeeds in quenching his thirst too.
Talk about hitting two birds with one stone.
7. "Jale w ghasil" - Clipp
When you have so many chores to do, or when your mom finally makes you do the dishes... w jale jale jale jale.... w ta3 dess chouf chou ne3em!
8. "Chou we2fit 3laye?" - Bank Med
This expression is simply there to showcase all of our flaws which we try to deny (in the most Lebanese way possible.)
We're adults, let's not put ourselves in the shoes of 5-year-olds and blame it on others, shall we?
9. "Ma3 Nido kebro el wlad el zghar" - Nido
One does not simply use the word "zekrayat" (memories) in a sentence without going all the way, singing the whole jingle and maybe even hugging the person sitting next to them after running in slow motion.
Admit it! You've always imagined your graduation day will look like the one in the Nido commercial.
10. "Tlete bwa7ad" - Yes
Need we say more?
Sarah Trad contributed to this post.