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| Art work by Tarek Chemaly |
In 2021, I wrote in regards to the truth in Lebanon, issues shared are usually not issues halved (right here).
However 2021 looks like a unique life altogether even when issues had been nonetheless going robust. As a result of now we received turbo-charged and the entire nation appears utterly adrift on all ranges, particularly economical degree – oh thoughts you, the truth that we’ve got no president, a caretaker authorities and a parliament which is hanging by a thread looks like one thing “within the background of the picture”. In case you have not purchased something as of late, you may be excused to not perceive, if you happen to did, you may be excused to be too exhausted to lament.
Nonetheless, I typically surprise – is an issue an issue? Irrespective of the magnitude, the size, the proportion? I preserve listening to from folks I do know within the UK that tomatoes are now not current on the cabinets in retailers. A pal in Brussels wrote about how persons are renting a mattress in a room for 750 Euros a month. Oh sure, and the French are up in arms due to what is meant to be the retirement age going up from 62 to 64. And the listing goes on.
Why am I scripting this? I truthfully do not know. I imply, a pal in Germany tried consoling me saying “oh simply have a mug of sizzling chocolate” – till I linked him to the web page of a neighborhood grocery store and translated the costs of the stated sizzling chocolate choices. His eyes popped.
I imply severely, I’m certain there are elements of the world the place the scenario is worse than Lebanon. Hey, even in Lebanon, you may say I’m remnants of what was once the center the center class (for an evaluation of the center class go right here) that means I nonetheless have technique of survival when others don’t (ergo, “why are you complaining?”).
However once more, it’s like we’re drowning in issues, sure, even the remnant of the center class is. An individual I do know – who previous to the disaster was extraordinarily prosperous – needed to forego his rented house and moved again to the villa of his dad and mom and he has to readjust the basement flooring to suit him, his spouse, two kids, mom in legislation whereas his mom and househelp the place within the first flooring – truthfully I felt for the person as his wi-fi stored breaking within the basement as he known as me as he does periodically and explaining to me that he’s adjusting the screws of considered one of his kids’s beds.
That is the place the “however there are folks worse off than you” kicks in. Or – what a really sensible pal “Dusty” stated recently – “Tarek the wealthy man isn’t the one who has probably the most however the one who wants the much less”. Nicely, I’ve at all times been frugal, I’ve at all times wanted only a few issues. Then why is it that when going to the shop it seemed as if I robbed Fort Knox whereas leaving house? I used to be carrying a wad of money so huge it was embarrassing.
I’m reminded of the great satirical track by Khaled El Habr “we’re advantageous in Gaza, set our thoughts comfy about you” (nahou bi kheir fi Gaza tamminou ankom). So, I assume we’re advantageous in Lebanon, set our thoughts comfy about you.
