Comments on: Syria is falling apart without American culture

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 01 May 2009 09:14:21 +0000

I have to say as a foreigner in Damascus and on Malki, the original article was so badly researched that I assume this reporter actually wrote it at the airport.

However in the interest of accuracy, InHouse Malki very much exists, InHouse by the American School closed.

The staff at Malki are excellent and I just wanted to commend them here.

As an expat who returns to Damascus every chance I get, I would like to add the attractions are the Syrian hospitality and the culture. However I would suggest the “reporter” actually try a true Syrian coffee shop, perhaps in the old city for culture.

On the computer question, has the reporter ever tried to get a table at Costa? Oh yeah the nearest one is near abu Rumaneh, a little far for our intrepid reoprter.

By: Abdo Bouabdo

Abdo Bouabdo — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:39:05 +0000

We allow them to feel this way about us, it is our fault. Because a “nobody ” American from Billings Montana, a red neck, a shit kicker is treated like royalty in our region. We got to stop doing this

By: pamela

pamela — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:25:20 +0000

Why should anyone presume “American culture” is superior to Syrian culture ? therefore the poor Syrians must be disadvantaged ? If by culture we include tv and films, I would rather watch a Syrian tv series than any American one (except scrubbs) the actors look like real people -not models -and the story line is usually fascinating.
Its a bit arrogant of the writer to make presumptions about Syria and its people , they,ve had “culture ” for thousands of years , prehistoric through all the near east civilisations , whereas America is still a baby , if America is around in 5000 years I,ll believe the writer!!

By: sunbula

sunbula — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:38:51 +0000

she doesnt even complain about things that should actually be criticized in syria, cos she never bothered talking to any syrians or stepping out of maliki. and what is this pathetic product placement for macs she is doing?

By: Loulou

Loulou — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 06:38:33 +0000

I totally agree with all the comments already made and I wanted to stress again that this article is one of the most disappointing and poorly documented I have ever seen.
Along with what has been already said, I have some comments of my own:

Firstly, the American school is not the only one that did not teach the Syrian curriculum: there are the French School (which teaches the French curriculum) and the Pakistani school (which teaches the English one) and both are still open.

Secondly, she made it sound in her article that the American School is not a profit-making school! Thus, how can she explain that the yearly tuition fee is more than 10,000$, especially given the fact that (according to her) the average wage of a Syrian is 40$/week? I think that’s a little hypocrit…

Thirdly, if she thinks that American culture is hard to come by, can she explain James Bond’s movies or (now showing) Jim Carrey’a movie in the cinema?? And as some people already said, she should have gone to Qaimariyeh and could have seen how accessible “american culture” is!

Finally, she assumes that Syrian youth is deprived of English and computer skills but have she talked to a real Syrian or saw the myriad of institutes that exist and teach these skills?

I’m well aware that every country has negative and positive sides but every criticism must rely on good arguments, proper documentation and real facts, which is absolutely not the case here!

By: Jillian C. York

Jillian C. York — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:26:14 +0000

Sarah, I beg you, please start submitting opinion pieces.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:57:02 +0000

These are the type of articles that force me to answer the same banal questions whenever I say I’ve studied in Syria:
“Weren’t you afraid?”
“Do they have internet?”
“Are the streets paved?”
…??? ????…

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:21:15 +0000

Oh my god. This is horrifying.
Here’s one “journalist” who I sincerely hope gets banned from coming back into the country.

By: Mia

Mia — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:35:42 +0000

Amazing. That article was perhaps one of the worst written and under-researched articles I’ve ever read.
Whoever wrote that article obviously knows nothing about Syria or Damascus, or the people that live there either. It sounds like they just wrote this article out of pure hatred and a need to rant.
Let me tell you something, to wheoever wrote that article. Syrians are PROUD of their culture. They embrace their traditions, their culture, their history. And sure, the regime may be a bit corrupt at some point, but who the heck is America to criticise? Last I know, its human rights treatment isn’t exactly the best. Why don’t you just ask China? I’m sure they’d inform you pretty well. Not only that, but Syria, and Syrians too, don’t want to become ‘Americanised’. They want to become more modern, definitley. But Americanised? Don’t make me gag. If you’re so sure that these poor, Unwesternised Syrian youths are dsperate for Americanisation, then may I ask why you never backed all of your claims with evidence? Did you interview even ONE Syrian youth? From the lack of accuracy in your article, it’s pretty obvious you didn’t. You want to say something, then back it up. Don’t go making assumtpions.
And last, I’l just add one thing. If Syrians NEED American ‘culture’ to breathe, then explain to me how a population of 19 million is surviving?
If you truly want to get the feed on Syrian youths, then I’d advise you to actually go to Damascus, Syria, with OPEN eyes. Don’t just make assumtpions. And for the love of God, why don’t you actually TALK to Syrians? I’m sure they won’t bomb you with a rocket or something, sweetheart.

By: Roqayah

Roqayah — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:27:39 +0000

Smallah lol one of the most pathetic articles I have come by today in regards to M.E culture/society.
Oh those poor less fortunate unWesternized Syrians lol

If the only thing she liked about Syria was the AIRPORT then you know that:
(A) She went to Syria with her eyes/ears closed
(B) She’s slightly xenophobic in regards to being open to culture that isn’t completely laced in ‘American-ism’

I for one love Syria and my family in Lebanon travel there once every year