Ahmad Al Charif

Frustrated Lebanese people, Creatively De-stressing!

So i was driving in Beirut today, trying to get to work, nothing special, same as everybody else, when i am confronted with a red light. Now first thought that came to my head was “just wing it” but then i somehow found myself stopping, respecting the signal. I was very proud of myself too, if everybody respected the laws, there would be less accidents, no?

Then a nightmare began, as the guy driving the car behind me showed little interest in my sudden patriotism and ideal citizenship behaviors, and started honking his horn excessively as he somehow managed to dangle half his body out of the car, screaming at me to move, while somehow miraculously still managing to control his car.

First impulse i had was to yell back, and maybe drive purposefully slower when the light turns green. U know, in spite.  But again, without really thinking i found my self moving my car slowly, veering dangerously close to the brand new Prado to my left, who’s owner also honked her horn repeatedly, as she gave me the look of pure disdain and disapproval.

Our young Casanova then passes me, crosses the red light as he quite casually salutes my keen sense of logic, for deciding to let him through. And wouldn’t you know it, only then does a police officer suddenly emerge from the shadows, i tell you it was uncanny. It was as if the earth suddenly open up and spit him out because he was no where to be seen before. He then proceeded to lecture me that it was a red signal, i had no right to let our hero through.

Now this story goes on for a while, but that is not the point. Two hours later, i find myself sitting in “jnaynet el sanaye3” under the trees, watching some children play soccer with a beat up Pepsi can, as i recalled on my days of youth.

We are very frustrated, as Lebanese people. And for good reasons too. No electricity, no water, questionable internet connection, ludicrously expensive living. And most importantly very minimal pay. For most people anyway.

This frustration, whether we like it or not, eats at us from the inside, pushes our buttons. And before you know it, you are there screaming at a red light, picking fights, beating each other up, and burning tires.

But what are we accomplishing, really? Besides feed a never ending loop, and further fuel our frustration which the causes of, are still there? Is anybody winning this battle, ever? Is it even possible to win that way, at all?!

I wish people would stop, take a breath, and make an effort to smile instead. Because anger, only fuels anger. And frustration, if un-managed leads to anger. Instead of picking a fight because you got stuck in the elevator this morning, go for a jog. Clear your mind. Rather than yell at your spouse for talking too much on the phone and hitting you with a stroke-causing phone bill chill out, go to the gym, punch some in-animate bags dangling from the ceiling. By all means, get it out of your system, but don’t let everybody else suffer while you do.

And then, think… Find a solution to your problem. Because for gods sake, whatever everybody is doing, sure as hell isn’t working!!