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Yesterday, we started shooting our Documentary that mainly focuses on “The Foul carts in Egypt”. It was a horrible day, not because of the project it self or the shooting, but because of the way people dealt with us.
Most of the people we encountered were really tough and for the most part were not found to be helpful or supportive at all. Once the cart owners saw the cameras in our hands, they ignored listening to our directions, or what their roles were, nor did they try to understand what it was that we wanted to shoot, and why were shooting (university project).
Although we had started shooting yesterday, this was not our first time searching for the carts we wanted to shoot. It was quite a daunting and difficult task just trying to get anyone to agree to be filmed, or cooperate with what we were trying to accomplish. We were not merely interested in filming just the carts, but rather a day in the life of a cart, its owner, and the patrons of the cart. This was meant to be a vignette filmed to highlight an early morning ritual for thousands of Cairo’s residents.
This was meant to be a project in which we were to interact with members of our society, a project in which different walks of life would exchange thoughts and opinions. Instead, it turned into the longest 24 hours of life, a full day in which everyone we encountered was both disrespectful and inconsiderate….3amar ya masr.
Two women are standing over a buffet at a wedding reception. The first woman says to the second, “Oh my God, the food here is really horrible”. The second woman agrees, adding “I know, and very small portions”. The first woman complained, the second woman agreed and felt that she had to comment as well.
Besides being experts on every topic (most Egyptian males consider themselves master football tacticians, expert doctors, and great political minds). Egyptian women however are all certified pharmacists who go around handing out verbal prescriptions to their families and friends.
Also, they are extremely nosy in all matters that may not concern them. In my opinion, the greatest character flaw in the Egyptian character is that they complain to no end. They keep complaining about pollution, politics, economics and everything in their lives without looking for the reasons behind all these problems.
Complaining itself is not a bad thing, in fact it is usually a good sign that a problem has been realized. However, complaining is usually followed by actions to solve the problem.
Unfortunately, this is not present in our modern Egyptian society. We just complain but, we don’t take actions. Most people for example are complaining from the state our streets are in, the garbage and trash pilling up on every street corner.
People complain to one another, when in fact they are part of the problem. Throwing their own garbage in the streets and then complaining that the streets are dirty. The idea that everyone is doing it does not make it right. It only makes it harder to solve the problem, harder but not impossible.
Finally, our complaints should be followed by actions, not just talking for the sake of talking. Start with your self, one person is powerful enough to make change.
Most of the people are not facing the problems or the situations they are in but, they keep trying to find away to blame others to avoid the actual problem. Proper planning and facing problems seriously seem to be viable solutions for all the problems. Accountability is also a must. No one ever seems to be held accountable or responsible for anything.
For the sake of example proper policing, with just an appropriate repercussions for everyone and anyone violating traffic laws would also seem quite logical, with no exceptions made. By exceptions of course I mean the Minister’s son or a friend of a friend of a police officer doesn’t get a traffic violation, but normal citizens do, for the same exact violation.
If all citizens know that there will be no exceptions, and they will be punished or get traffic violation when they violate the traffic law, for sure they will follow the law. Unfortunately, I found Egyptians enjoying violating the law. Instead of following the law and the regulation, they pay bribes and they rely on people they may know to avoid the violation. As a general rule, it is easier to follow the law, instead of looking for away to avoid punishment.
Finally, by violating law and paying bribes, we as citizens are encouraging corruption.
The Oxford American Dictionary defines Privacy as "the state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people". It is this freedom of disturbance and interference that makes privacy such a wonderful appeal and sought-after treasure. But, like most treasures it is hard to find. In our modern Egyptian society, the word privacy seems to mean nothing to a great number of people.
Everyday Aunts, Uncles, distant relatives, neighbors, and sometimes just random people you have never met in your life will exercise what they see as their God-given right to find out more about you and your personal life. People you know or don't know at all, will share the most private and intimate details of their lives with you with no hesitation. They will also demand that you share and talk about private and personal information, all for the sake of chit-chat, or making conversation.
There is a thin line I believe between being friendly and sociable and just being plain nosey and annoying. That line is being crossed within every conversation in Egypt as I write this article! I can't understand why their fascination with the lives of others is as strong as it is. What benefit does it have on their lives to know that I-for the sake of example- have an appointment with my Doctor? "Are you ill?", "Was it something you ate? what did you have for lunch? where? I've heard a lot about that restaurant, where is that place?, I hope you get well".
Once they get a hint about the dilemma, everyone immediately feels that it is their duty to advise me on matters which do not concern them. I want to know why people are asking all these private questions, in order to be able to know how to deal with their questions. But, such questions leave me standing with an awkward, fake smile on my face, thinking to myself "I can't believe you just asked me that!"
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