Do you think a marriage with an american woman and an egyptian man would work?

Question

Have known each other for over a year and get along awesome, Think it is possible to actually last?

Answer 1

Holy crap I hope so, since I'm doing this soon.

When the intentions are serious, you do have to do a LOT of talking. As you start to work out the details of the contract, you do get to poke and prod at a lot of questions. I ask questions constantly anyways, something he takes in stride and avenges upon me later.

Children are a big issue between us, both of us have religions that don't really compromise on the children issue. We're working to find a compromise that works for us, which is difficult since neither of us can turn to our respective advisors on the issue. (Both have voiced their opinion on the matter and that's how we figured out the lack of compromise).

Do meet his family. If not in person, then certainly at least over the phone or Skype. Serious intentions usually lead to him being rather proud to introduce you to his family, chances are he's done very little other than talk about you anyways. Just remember his parents aren't all THAT different from yours, be polite and respectful and attentive. His siblings aren't all that different from yours, his sister(s) probably have a penchant for shopping and his brother(s) probably have a yen for soccer.

Egyptian men are very private, what goes on between you two stays between you two. He'll probably be bothered if you two have a tiff and you go off to dish to your best friend about what a pain he is being. He would rather you deal with him directly, keep things between you, and solve the problem. While he's proud of you, he probably won't "show you off" so to speak. His friends may be a little uncomfortable around you until you are married to him, and they'll probably always be a little distant. Warm...but politely distant.

There will always be a language barrier. No matter how fluent he is in English or you in Arabic, sometimes you'll just butt up against a wall of "Inability to explain correctly what you are thinking."If it seems like he's totally clueless, before chewing his head off, stop and ask him if he understands what you're trying to say. Never ask him in a condescending way, but sincerely.

He will not tell you when he's scared. Very Macho kind of guys. I didn't figure out mine was scared of meeting my father until the 6th time he had backed out of meeting him. Rather than call him out on being scared, I asked him to pick a date to meet my family and made sure that my fanily knew about hima nd where he is from as much as I made sure he knew as much as I could explain about my family. (We do put the "fun" in "dysfunctional")

If two or more Egyptian men have to accomplish a task, even if it's something like picking a flavor of ice cream, it will turn into a discussion that puts the whole mission on hold while they debate things out. This is usually remedied by reaching in between them while they talk, picking up the Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch, and informing them that you are going to the checkout counter now if they would like to join you. They just feel the need to talk things out and make sure everyone is okay with whatever decision they come to. They do want to try to please everyone, which is sweet, but takes too long for me to appreciate while buying ice cream.

I have heard it said that Egyptian men love fully, and forever. There really isn't much in the way of halfway with them and they have surprisingly romantic personalities. They can be very poetic, very sweet and very affectionate. If they are devoutly Muslim they can be very affectionate without breaking the rules. My habibi likes to play with my hair. It's probably not technically acceptable to a very conservative Muslim, but with any faith there is a degree of personal interpretation of the rules. He's not pouncing on me and doing any bodice-ripping, so I'm not overly concerned that he's up to illicit things while he scratches my head.

Things can be worked out, the differences that is, but make sure that you do talk about them and you do come to clear defined decisions on them.

Never ever get married just because you are in love.
But Never ever get married without it.

Answer 2

Egyptian husband will be the best for any woman. Go on .. marry him ..If you need hot one he is the best , if you need romantic one Egyptian husbands ranked no.1

Egyptian husband have more than 53 advantage
1. A friend

2. A companion

3. A lover

4. A brother

5. A father

6. A master

7. A chef

8. An electrician

9. A carpenter

10. A plumber

11. A mechanic

12. A decorator

13. A stylist

14. A sexologist

15. A gynecologist

16. A psychologist

17. A pest exterminator

18. A psychiatrist

19. A healer

20. A good listener

21. An organizer

22. A good father

23. Very clean

24. Sympathetic

25. Athletic

26. Warm

27. Attentive

28. Gallant

29. Intelligent

30. Funny

31. Creative

32. Tender

33. Strong

34. Understanding

35. Tolerant

36. Prudent

37. Ambitious

38. Capable

39. Courageous

40. Determined

41. True

42. Dependable

43. Passionate


WITHOUT FORGETTING TO:


44. Give you compliments regularly

45. Love shopping

46. Be honest

47. Beverly rich

48. Not stress you out

49. Not look at other girls

50. Give you lots of attention, but expect little

51. Give you lots of time

52. Give you lots of space, never worrying about where you go

53. Never forget:

* Birthdays

* Anniversaries

* Arrangements you makes

Answer 3

I've been doing it for two and a half years... working just fine with me! :-D

If you decide to get married, just sit and have a long discussion about what each of you expect from one another... and don't be shy about it. Sometimes cultural differences can become a problem, so as long as each of you fully knows the stance the other takes on certain issues, and you agree with them or you can at least live with them, you'll do just fine. Bring up issues such as raising children, schooling, dealing with each other's families, if you are of different religions, definitely bring everything out into the open about that, and even discuss what each of your plans are for the future. There's a chance that one day he may want to go back to live in Egypt, and in that case will you agree? Will you agree with certain conditions like returning every summer to visit your family, or not without first visiting for a while to see how you will adjust, etc. Oh, even pets! I have a cat and I made sure my husband was going to accept her living in the house long before we got married. Now they're best buds, lol! Any issue you can think of, discuss it. That way you won't be caught off guard if an issue raises up later on after marriage, kids, etc.

You can also join some Yahoo groups that are specifically geared towards american women married to Egyptian men. Most are religious, and again, I'm not sure of your religion, but I doubt they'd exclude you. :-)

I wish you all the best luck! Egyptians are the sweetest, most thoughtful and caring people I've met (at least my husband's family, lol), and I'm sure that you will love them too.

Edit: lystrayel is so right! In so many ways! Good luck with your marriage too!

Answer 4

As a general rule, I do not believe that cross cultural marriages can be successful. But we have to admit that there are exeptions to every rule.

As someone else said earlier love is blind... But this is exactly the problem... for a marriage to succeed love isn't everything. And unfortunately before marriage love can just hide all other negative factors that can destroy a marriage.

Marriage, specially in Egypt or in any conservative society is not just a relationship between a man or a woman, it usually involves the entire families of both and large sections of the community as well. It is an entire institution and certain managing skills are required if it is to succeed.

A marriage in Egypt is expected to be so many things that with time love is overshadowed or is totally transformed in someother kind of love. So before you consider getting married you should be frank with yourself and rationally weigh the viability of the following factors.

1- Are you both culturaly, religiously and financialy compatible?
2- Have your families been introduced to each other? Do they approve and bless this marriage? Do they even know about it? Egyptian families can be very demanding and usualy have high expectations from the marriage of their sons/ daughters... they can be real spoilers if they don't like the idea.
3- What are your plans for the future? Do you intend to live in Egypt? If so have you tried it... it can be very stressful. If you intend to live in the US... please make sure he is not trying to get married just to get a residence permit.
4- Are you financially secure... by "you" I mean both of you.
5- What about kids... Do you want or don't want kids... have you agreed on how you want to raise them.

I could think of a thousand more factors but I think you are more capable of weighing the odds... Just put love aside since it is apparently the only known factors and think about every thing else.

Noting that scientifically speaking the life span of what we call romantic love (Which is in fact a cocktail of chemicals produced by the brain) is a maximum of 3 years.

Do you have the factors that can make this marraige work past those 3 years?

Answer 5

Of course it would and with me it has. There is an aweful lot of work involved as with any marriage. Compromise and understanding will help you greatly. But just be open in the beginning about what you both want and expect from each other. GOod luck!

Answer 6

love is 'international' if you love him and having trust between each so the race is not a problem to a marriage. Trust, love and supporting is the main point to make the family more lasting. And most important thing is the man that you choose is the good man.

Answer 7

Like any normal marriage it depend on both. If they can understand the difference and deal with it, I think it works and they can be happy couple. If it's based on feelings only or material only, it may not work.

If they will make a wedding party in Egypt and will invite some people from Yahoo answers including me, that means sure they will be happy.

Answer 8

have that discussion with all those relevant questions. Like how many kids, what religion, how would you bring them up, if they want boyfriends etc., who cooks, cleans, takes care of finances, have to go through your expectations regardless of what cultures that's what makes a successful marriage. But in addition to this specifics, does he expect to move back to his country, have you met his family - and that they're accepting - family is a big deal with Egyptians - make sure he's not married either in Egypt and just wanting his papers to stay in the country kwim?! good luck!!!

Answer 9

I am an American woman and have been with my husband going on 11 years, and on top of that he is 16 years older than me.

It has been great, I don't feel anyone can care for me as much or I could care for anyone more than him.

Yes we have our problems, but mines just about being homesick, and missing my mom. I do hope to go back this summer to see her, he doesn't stop me but finances and kids do.

Best of luck and if you are happy that is great and yes it can last as long as both of you have open communication, and friendship.

Answer 10

why not? I have a chilean friend married to an agypcian, living in Cairo. You have to know about his religion that is so dogmatic and they really live and practice what Coran says. You must know a little what he thinks about which religion the children will be educated. You ´ ll probably will have to deal with prejudice existing between both countries. They are good persons. It won t be easy but not impossible.

Answer 11

it might work and might not coz of the culture differences, i know an arab man and a english women who got married and they argue to much because arab women know thier role in a marrige they know they will have to meet their husbands needs such as stay at home cook clean things like that they have been trained to be housewives since thier little and they enjoy it very much but western women, like to have alot of freedom and they might find it disrespectful if thier husbands asks them to cook/ clean stay at home stuff like that im not saying all married arab women are housewives 24/7 but the majorty are plus as an american women u might think its ok to have male friends and just lots of other things like that might cause friction so u have to be fully aware of wat he is expecting from u as a wife so it doesnt come as a shock!
although i may be totaly wrong he may not be a typical arab? he may not want u to be a housewife?
so u have to ask him a few questions and if u think your ready
then go for it and i wish u luck! egyptian men are very sweet! btw