4Youth Magazine Sep.2013 | Page 2

5 signs you live in

amman

1. Everyone knows who you are

With Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the fastest information-transferring service of them all: gossip; everyone knows who everyone is. They'll know which school/university you go to, who you friends are, where you live, and if you're popular enough, your favorite restaurant!

2. You're related to at least half the people you meet

Whether it's at university, at a local bookstore or even a supermarket, every time you step out of the house and meet new people the first question they'll ask is "what's your name?" And that's how it starts. One question leads to another and chances are the person you just met is your father's fourth cousin's spouse.

3. Thursdays = Abdoun/Jabal Amman

Going out on a Thursday is a must, and if you stay at home it's practically social suicide according to Ammani standards. After a long week of studying (yeah, right!), the only places you can ever hang out at are Abdoun or Jabal Amman, simply because all restaurants and cafes are canned in these two districts.

4. You have to be a doctor or an engineer

Maybe your parents are forcing you into one of these two majors, and if it's not your parents, it's definitely a distant relative you only met at your high school graduation party. We are too obsessed with becoming doctors and engineers that we can't even realize how high unemployment rates are becoming in these two professions. Then again, you're not "smart enough" even if you're a marketing genius.

5. Everyone has a "wasta"

You have to know someone who knows someone who can help you ask someone to do something! Actually, it's rather funny how we drive in a public street these days without needing a "wasta". Wait, how did you get your drivers' license?

Zeina Abu Orabi