In Lebanon, there's no such thing as a social circle, it's more a social spiral. It is a universe of networks ringed together. Have more than a one degree of separation between you and someone you've just met? Can't find mutual friends on Facebook? If you're not suspicious, you should be. I mean, what is this guy, an alien? 

Here are 8 things that making it blatantly clear to you that Beirut isn't a capital of 4 million+ inhabitants, but your quintessential village. 

1. Let's go to the mall today

When my brothers and I were younger, we used to place bets on how long my father could walk in a mall and not find someone he met. We weren't even in Lebanon at the time (we were in Dubai) but everyone my father greeted was Lebanese. Beirut's tiny-ness extends beyond its boundaries...somehow. 


2. Shouting to each other from cars

Have you ever been in a car and suddenly you see someone you know in the car next to you? 

This seems to happen a lot more frequently here, and especially when I'm in a taxi. Almost every time, you hear them lower their window and shout to a person they know (no matter where they are) and ask him how they are. Akh, always with the hospitality. 

3. Hamra street aka the adult school playground

I dare you to take a stroll in Hamra street and not see anyone you know. Especially if you've gone to one of the universities around there or frequent the bars in Makdessi. 

Go on, I'll wait.

4. MEA = Meet Everyone Airlines

Middle East Airlines (Lebanon's airline) is basically a meet-up for friends you haven't seen in a while. It's odd how many times you're waiting in line to board the aircraft and you see someone you know.

The baggage claim when you reach your destination is another chance in case you missed them. Once, I saw my Lebanese 6th grade math teacher on my flight to Dubai. What are the odds?!

5. You "bump into" your bestfriend everyday

This could be a restaurant in a mall, or a restaurant on its own, like a Lebanese restaurant. Typically, if it is the latter, you go to the same one over and over again. Which of course results in seeing the same people.

However, I was having lunch with a couple of friends in a mall, and my best friend comes up and just sits down at my table. This has happened was too many times for it to just be a coincidence. 

Also, every time I see him, I jump up and scream because it's always a nice surprise... but it's gotta stop being a surprise at some point, right?

6. The hairdresser's - the Lebanese version of book clubs

Going to the hairdressers is like going to a weekly book club. It has nothing to do with books but all to do with gossip.

The hairdresser I go to is the the one my mom and all her sisters go to, and the one their mom used to go to. The beauty salon is a hereditary trait, who knew? 

7. Suspicious disappearances at the beach

Once summer hits, you can see us all at the beach, soaking up that summer sun. 

I often go to the beach with my mother so we can get to tanning, and randomly, I can't find my mom anymore. She comes back to where we're  sitting and casually says, "Oh, I just saw my dentist, I scheduled an appointment for next week."

Me: ???

8. At the workplace

This literally happened to me yesterday. I went to the common kitchen at my workplace to get a cup of water, which I would normally never do seeing as we have a water cooler in our office.

I pass by for a quick two seconds and rush quickly back to the office. Lo and behold, when I come back, I get a Facebook message from an old acquaintance (my cousin's friend) saying he thinks he just saw me.

But like, really, what are the odds?

Bonus: making Arab friends in foreign places

Birds of a feather stick together. No matter where in the world you are, or what Arabian land you hail from, if you find another Arab, you will have found a new friend.

P.S. That instant disappointment when you think you've spotted another Arab but you haven't...