I borrowed the title above from the people of the Gulf, especially the Saudis, when they describe the false extravagance, boastfulness, and overindulgence seen with some people and the ‘nouveau riches'. At roughly this time last summer, I wrote a satirical article on the empty boasting of some Gulf people in European capitals, such as London, Paris and Geneva. At the time, I noted that the continuation and tolerance of such uncouthness and vulgar self-aggrandizement are fast becoming a major and costly problem, since such practices do not truly reflect the true social and financial reality of Arab Gulf peoples. I said that the exaggerated importance afforded to outside appearance, unjustifiably so, save for the purpose of bragging and showing off, and the blind imitation of some people, does not express the true nature of Arab Gulf societies and their simplicity; rather, it may reflect complex neuroses and personality disorders among those showoffs. This requires the relevant institutions in the Gulf countries to step up their efforts to spread awareness and social education among holidaymakers, with a view to rein in those roving showoffs' self-deception, extravagance, and to stop them from falsely pretending to be rich. Otherwise, this gives a distorted image of Gulf societies abroad. Last week, my colleague Ahmed Faheed wrote a hot exposé about Gulf tourists in London, so hot that it was as though he wanted to remind them of the climate in their capitals. Faheed said that when the Saudis head abroad, they do not leave their habits behind. Instead, they pack them in their suitcases, and take their same mannerisms, moods, and sensitivities along with them, shedding not even a dollop of them along the way. Once in London, they transform the Arab street Edgware Road to a purely ‘Gulf-like' spot, wearing their expensive watches and designer shirts, while their women carry their handbags that cost no doubt a small fortune. Faheed then adds, “Their striking features can be seen on their faces, clothes, and hands, which often hold at least two mobile phones. Their kids, meanwhile, are looked-after by their maids, yet another area of competition amongst these showoffs”. However, colleague Faheed forgot to mention also that those Gulf tourists usually ship their cars, with their special license plates, via air from one capital to another, taking along with them their maids, all under the premise of looking for ‘a change in the climate'. In recent years, the economic conditions in Britain, the United States and several European countries have been difficult. Some have lost their jobs, while many layoffs are taking place in banks, media institutions and many businesses. In addition, Britain is still in a recession and a financial downturn, and the financial crisis continues to affect people's lives, both economically and socially. And yet, some people from the Gulf, be they students, tourists or visitors still ‘showoff' in an extravagant manner. This prompts the British or Europeans to look at such odd conduct deprecatingly, and to be outraged at those who do not respect other people's feelings. Once, I invited three friends, including one Saudi studying at a British university, for coffee at a modest coffee shop in central London. One of them had been in Britain for around four years. After we had our coffee, I asked for the bill from the barista. It was 14 pounds, and so I paid him 20 pounds. However, he only gave me 5 pounds in change, so I asked him enquiringly, why he didn't return the full amount, i.e. six pounds. He wasn't impressed by my query about the remaining amount, and he then came back with a one pound coin, without apologizing or explaining himself. Bear in mind that British law considers what he did to be illegal. At this point, my Saudi friend (who is a student, not a tourist) protested with a question that shows how cultured he is, asking me why I queried the barista about the remaining one pound. A futile argument ensued, and I tried to explain to him that it wasn't about the one pound, but that it was a matter of principle and rules. In the end, I left the pound to the shop but not to the barista, who was careless for British laws, which otherwise require that the full amount be returned to the customer. Unfortunately, that barista had Arab features, specifically North African features, as was confirmed later. However, what struck me was that he looked very confused and troubled, which perhaps made him act carelessly because of the conduct of certain people from the Gulf, who break the rules and do not care for their change just to boast and brag. This eventually influenced this barista, and made him deal with others according to his whims or desires. To be sure, British culture and laws do not accept such actions, actions that do not reflect the country's traditions, and the way of life of its people, who usually return the one pence, and not just the pound (which by the way is worth six riyals). I tried to remind my friend and make him understand that he is studying in England, and thus he must be familiar with its culture and its laws, and must respect the rules not ignore and break them. However, he seems to be one of those who like to readily dismiss other people's cultures, and one of those who do not care for people trying to cheat them by pretending to ‘forget' or by making a buck by tricking tourists. What is certain is that the level of showing off by certain Gulf people, on the streets of European capitals, is not only not declining but is actually increasing from year to year. So much so that the ‘braggarts' now walk as though they have a bird on their heads, ‘stiffening up' in some of the world's most expensive designer clothes with the smell of ‘oud' [Arab perfume] and Parisian fragrances emanating from them. But I fear that some of these showoffs might spend a summer full of false self-indulgence and extravagance at the expense of others, only to return to their countries to find that their bills and debts have pile up, with no other way to pay them but flee or get an ‘insolvency deed'! In the end, Ramadan Kareem.
