Because True Stories are Best

Yesterday me and 3 friends were coming back from a (wonderful) dinner at a Pakistani restaurant...we waited for a taxi outside a grocery store while Salah, the one guy with us, compared taxi prices and we took the cheapest one.

So, our taxi driver (and older gentleman, probably 45-50) was talking to Salah, when he suddenly announces, I have 2 wives, and 9 children...and she is going to be my third wife -- and points directly at me! And I was like...no, no, thank you....I am taken....and he says, "No, no, you are going to be my third wife, and teach me English," we all laugh this off and Salah luckily changes the subject (Thanks Salah!).

I should explain that this is actually not that common here -- and this guy seemed quite serious, and like he really couldn't understand why I wouldn't want to be his third wife.

Then at the end of the ride, we rush out and Salah stays behind to pay, but the taxi driver won't let him pay, saying that because I was there, the ride was free! And then he gives Salah his phone number for me!

Speaking of multiple marriage -- my teacher, who is Syrian was explaining how one day he was teaching a class at the university and asked the girls whether they would prefer to be a second wife or to never be married at all, to which 75% said 2nd wife. Third wife to never married -- 50%. 4th wife to never married -- also about 50%!

This may not be a fair assessment but the principle of marriage and elementary school dodge ball seem the same --- you never want to be the last one picked to be on a team. More stories to come later! It is truly the greatest fear of girls here. The question is why? Is it social status that marriage brings? Freedom? Kids? Financial concerns?

Ok, more stories to come!