Informing your family that you have met your soul mate is rather nerve-racking, even more so when your partner happens to be a foreigner and comes to visit your family for the first time. There is no doubt we have all had the chance to witness the nonstop celebratory events during the week that the future groom sets foot into our rather amusing family dynamics.
Here is a guide to a week in the life of the future arees:
Meet and greet
Just when you thought you were simply coming to meet mom and dad – and maybe the siblings if they happen to be in the country – little did you know that "meet my family" means a minimum of 60 members of which all 60 are actually first cousins, uncles, aunts and the grandparents. Oh, and let us not forget their children and possibly their children's children.
On a diet? Forget it!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are a MUST. With a preplanned schedule made months in advance, rest assured that every member of the family will invite you over. Beware, you will eat like it is your last day on earth and don’t ever say that you are full. That is slightly insulting and will hurt a lot of feelings. If you happen to be on the skinny side, certain family members will feel the need to feed you more because they believe you look a bit unhealthy.
The grand entrance
Be it at a house, restaurant or café, it is guaranteed that you and your future bride will be welcomed with nothing less than the infamous zaghrouta and zafe. The first couple of times you might be a bit embarrassed, but by the fourth time there is no doubt you will be singing to the beat of "Mabrouk, Mabrouk."
The side talk
Do not freak out! A side talk is almost inevitable. It will most probably be one of the uncles that will feel the need to take you to the side and have “the talk” with you. You will be told how precious, beautiful and smart your future bride is and how taking care of her is your No. 1 priority from now on. Don’t worry much though, the threats are not to be taken too seriously.
Accommodation
Although a guest room is always ready at the bride’s house, you will be staying at a hotel no more than 5 km from her parents. You can spend the day at her house and make yourself comfortable, but not too comfortable because you will be driven back to your hotel once the day is over.
Back to the origins
Now, if your fiancé happens to be from the city your stay will not require exhausting road trips. If she happens to be from an area outside the city you will be waking up at 7 am so you can make use of the day and get to her village just in time for a massive breakfast. You will visit her grandfather’s land, be given a tour about the different types of olive and orange trees, you will meet the same family members you met in the city only this time you need to pay each and every single one's home a small visit.
Your new name
Although your parents have chosen your name for you and all your life you have been proud that you carry your great grandfathers name, you will leave with a new nickname. It will almost always starts with an “Abou” and will be one that will probably not stick for too long. However, throughout your stay you will be addressed as such:
,- Stephano – Abou Steif
- Zachary – Abou el Zouz
- Michael – Abou el Mich
- Joseph – Abou el Yous
- Francesco – Abou el Fouf
Facebook requests
You will be sent around 300 new Facebook requests from people that all have the same family name. Do not freak out! Even if you haven’t met them personally, they all know absolutely everything about you.