Comment on Habibi

We talked a little bit in class about some different possibilities as to why Poppy made sure that Liyana did not brush her hair in public and also told her that she was not allowed to wear shorts. I think that Poppy was just trying to teach Liyana about the cultural norms that occurred in her new country so she wouldn't be scrutinized by the other people. As an Arab-American and not just an Arab, she stands out a lot more so I think that Poppy doesn't want her to feel like an outsider. I can somewhat relate to this experience because I had a similar situation when I went to India a couple of years ago. My Dad is from India and when I went there with him, he kind of guided me in what was appropriate and what was not. I thought that it was very strange but he did not want my relatives to think that I did not respect the culture. I was told not to talk to the waiters or anyone considered "the help," I had to dress appropriately and wear things that made me look respectable, and I also was not allowed to drink alcohol while we were in front of my elders. This was so strange to me but they have many different rules and cultural norms that I was not used to. Even though I am American, I am also half Indian and it was important that I followed the cultural norms while I was visiting the country.