By: ArabLounge Staff

We’ve all done some pretty crazy stuff in our lives so far, and let’s face it, the person you want to end up being with has got to take the good with the bad.

But does that mean you should be posting pictures of that “crazy stuff” on your dating profile?

The obvious answer is no, of course. But you’d be surprised at how many times people think it’s either funny or cool to post pictures of themselves in compromising situations or post things that are just plain going to turn people off.

That’s why here’s a steadfast list of the things you should never—and I mean never—put on your ArabLounge dating profile:

1) Pictures with your ex: Come on, guys, we KNOW that’s your ex. Why would you post a picture with a past love when you’re trying to find a current one? Just doesn’t make sense, and you come off as a lothario or worse yet—someone who is just not over their ex. Nix those pics.

2) Pictures with the same person in every picture: This is ok for maybe one or two pictures, but if you’ve got the same person in every single picture, that’s confusing. This is especially important if the person in question is a sister/brother, best friend or other relative, since they often look like you.

Other Arab singles won’t know which one is you, since they’re also in all the pictures. So cut out the confusion and make sure you have some stand-alone pictures, especially for your default .

3) Anything about race/ethnicity: It’s great that you’re proud of your heritage and customs—so are most people. But proclaiming on your profile how “_____ are the smartest, best looking, etc” is downright rude.

Keep it low-key and if you really want to dazzle other singles, include what it is you love about diversity and acceptance of other people.

4) Compromising pictures: If on your profile you listed that you don’t drink, but in your pictures, you’re holding a dubious looking can or glass, take the picture down. You don’t want to give off the wrong image and seem like you’re lying.

Same goes for pictures that show a lot of skin, partying pictures, or you looking completely out of your mind. If all you’ve got are pictures like that, have a friend do you a favor and go out to a park or a field and have them take a nice, classy picture. It’ll do wonders for your dating life.

5) Politics: Not everyone agrees with you about Hezbollah or Turkish politics or the fate of the PLO. By proclaiming that only one opinion is right and posting constantly about politics, you risk alienating a huge portion of singles who either don’t agree with you, or see you as simply too aggressive and combative.

Keep the politics out of it for now, and once you really get to know someone, that’s the time to discuss the issues closest to your heart.

By: ArabLounge Staff

The wedding is over and it’s time for your new life as a couple to begin.

Picking a great honeymoon spot for your first stage of married life is not really important to a lasting and loving relationship, but it can make for an incredible experience and bring you so much closer together.

Here are some of the best honeymoon spots for Arab newlyweds looking for something fun, romantic and relaxing:

1) Caribbean Islands: From the beautiful islands of Aruba, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, Antigua, St. Lucia and so many more, the Caribbean islands are among the most popular destination for honeymooners around the world.

Beautiful sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, clear, warm water and extremely hospitable staff make theses islands havens for new couples looking to get away from it all.

For Arab couples, there may not be as many halal or kosher menus as they may be used to, but if you decide to stay at one of the numerous all-inclusive resorts, you can have something whipped up for the two of you almost instantly.

2) Dubai: Dubai still remains one of the most tourist-friendly and accommodating cities in the Middle East. It boasts a hug number of activities, from indoor skiing, desert safaris, private couples massages at extremely exclusive hotels, and a lot of sightseeing.

Couples that come to this city can not only relax if they want to, but go to museums, sightsee the whole day, or go rock-climbing. If you can imagine it, it’s likely that Dubai has it.

3) Honeymoon Cruises: Taking a cruise is one of the most affordable ways to travel, as almost all your on-board expenses are already covered and it’s only the excursions which you can opt to pay for.

It’s also relaxing because pretty much everything is already taken care of for you.

Picking a room with a balcony and going somewhere local is probably the best bet. Stuff yourselves with the amazing cruise buffets and get to know each other and your other shipmates through the various dance classes, clubs, soirées, and other get-togethers that are bound to be on the cruise.

4) Mexico: Baja, Cabo San Lucas and the rest of the Mayan Riviera are one of the most popular spots for couples retreats. Not only is the food excellent, but they have arguable the most beautiful resorts in the world.

Staff service is infamous for their attention to detail and hospitality, and the beautiful beaches, local flavor, amazing food and private spas are some of the biggest draws.

As one of the most popular honeymoon spots, there are numerous deals that can be found online, and if you want to save some extra money, go in the off-season and never around the time of a holiday.

Also try booking either a package deal or an all-inclusive resort, as they tend to save you the most money.

5) Morocco: One of the jewels of the desert, Morocco exudes an elegance, charm and vivaciousness in its chaos and history.

Staying in Marrakech is an eye-opening experience, and young couples can wander through bazaars, shop at the markets, eat at outdoor vendor stalls and chic restaurants, and soak up Morocco’s history just by walking through it’s fabled streets.

By: ArabLounge Staff

You’ll find that many people, after they get married, want to move back in with their families and take care of their aging parents.

Especially in Arab culture, family is placed so high and it is assumed that the children will be there to take care of their parents until old age.

While that may be noble and morally the right thing to do, it can take a toll on you if you decide to move in with your in-laws.

They can be the nicest, sweetest people on earth, but it can still be daunting, and at times, frustrating, to take care of them.

And what happens when they turn out to not be the people or the family you expected? Mother in-laws especially are infamous for their constant nagging, put-downs and belittlement of their daughter-in-laws.

Here are some ways to not let it get to you and to keep your marriage intact at the same time:

1) Realize that this is your new family, whether you like it or not: In Arab culture, you don’t just marry a person, you marry their whole family.

Keep this in mind the next time one of your in-laws says something rude or makes you feel bad.

Treat them the same way you’d treat your own parents. Stand up for yourself, but at the same time, be kind and respectful. Realize that this is probably new for them as well and try to make the best of what you have.

This is going to be your family for as long as you’re married, and to be constantly at odds won’t make anything easier for you.

2) Listen to what they’re saying: Is your mother-in-law complaining about your cooking, or does your father-in-law not respect your line of work?

Listen to what they’re really saying and see if you can at least make an effort to alleviate the problem. If they have a certain way of doing something, offer to have them teach you, and then you can put your own spin on it.

Most parents just want the best for their children, and once they see you’re listening and trying, they will oftentimes warm up to you.

3) Always talk to your spouse: You are a team, and although the in-laws are their family, they need to realize that working on your relationship is essential too.

If your husband or wife never stands up for you or always takes their family’s side, there will be numerous problems for years.

Make sure you can talk to each other and rely on them to be open, honest and supportive.

4) Bring out the olive branch: After a disagreement or fight with you in-laws, try to be the one who comes to offer a peaceful resolution.

After all, they are much older than you, and it’s a sign of respect to acknowledge the argument and decide to move on.

You’ll be the bigger person, and instead of letting the anger ferment and get out of hand, you’ll nip it in the bud and move on with your lives.

5) Talk to them about their interests: Get involved in the things they enjoy and talk to them about their pasts. Ask them about what they did when they were first married, or the things they used to do when they were children.

Just making an effort to get to know your new family goes such a long way and will not only help bring you closer together, but understand their points of view as well.

You might even gain some insight into their opinions and learn something that you may not have expected.

By: ArabLounge Staff

It’s inevitable that life will throw everything it’s got at you. And when you’re a couple, these everyday obstacles, the rare calamities, the personal disasters—they can start tearing you apart day by day.

It cant be stressed enough how important it is to stay together as a team and fight through these adversities, and learning how they can bring you together in a more solid and supportive relationship.

There really isn’t a formula for handling life’s obstacles a certain way. Each event and situation is unique to each individual, but these are just a few ways to guide you on your way to using these events to bring you closer together:

1) Communicate: Really talk to one another, describe your emotions and feelings, and let that other person in. In a chaotic time, it’s so nice to have someone there to just listen and be there.

Having a good person on hand will really be able to help you get through anything. It will also let the other person know that you trust them and can let them in, making your relationship deeper on another level.

2) Take a getaway: If it’s possible, try going away from it all, and as a couple, go on vacation.

If there’s something happening that is really out of your control and which you cant do anything about, a nice getaway may be what you need to clear your head and come to terms with it.

Try going somewhere that’s not distracting and is known for its serenity. After all, there’s nothing like a vacation to put things into perspective.

Just take some time off to recharge yourself and your relationship by taking long walks on the beach, talking over dinner, and going new places.

3) Look through all your options together: If there’s a big decision that needs to be made, don’t jump the gun and make it for the two of you.

Talk to each other, look at all options reasonably and logically and try to come up with a mutual decision that will benefit you both.

4) Treat them the way you would want to be treated: In other words, don’t take out all your frustration and anger out on them.

This is one of the biggest problems couples face when they are going through major life-altering events.

They take out their fear and frustration out on each because of one simple reason—they know they can.

Try to realize that you’re both in the same boat and have the same goals. Use this to you advantage and realize you have a team built in here and treat them with the kindness and respect they deserve.

If you find yourself getting angry, pause, breathe, and then explain that it’s not them that’s making you like this, it’s the situation.

By: ArabLounge Staff

It’s normal after a breakup to go over all the good memories of the relationship and dwell on everything you don’t have anymore.

It’s also common to conveniently forget the reasons why you broke up or why the relationship just wasn’t working out.

For many Arab singles who have recently gone through a breakup or are still hung up over their ex, these memories replay endlessly in their heads, reminding them everyday of what they’re missing out on.

Partially, it’s why so many Arab singles try to find what they’ve lost through sites like Arab Lounge, and why the ‘business of love’ is truly a booming one.

If you still find yourself pining over a certain person but not able to be with them, it’s time to take the initiative and really try to move one.

Here are some of the best ways to try to dispel those feelings and move on with your life:

1) Make a list of all their pros and cons: Remind yourself that yes, that person was great, but they weren’t perfect, despite how they may seem in hindsight. This list will help remind you of their shortcomings and really humanize them.

Were they cheap? Selfish? Quick to judge others? Rude to your friends? Inevitably there will be things about them that just annoyed you, and seeing it written down on paper like that can really help you understand that they shouldn’t be put on a pedestal.

2) See them: Sometimes it takes a meeting with them to gauge your feelings for the person. It may be that while you still may have feelings for them, it just doesn’t feel “right” anymore.

Call them up and see if you can have coffee or lunch, to just talk. It will hopefully give you some of the closure you’ll need.

3) Imagine them with someone else: The more you can see them separate from you and with someone else, the more you will be able to let them go.

If they are with someone else already, it will be easier. If they aren’t, imagine what it would be like to see them with someone else and steel yourself for it.

If you really care about them, you will want them to be happy, whether it be with you or with someone else.

4) Go out and meet new people: The more options in life you have, the more you realize that you really are able to love more than one person. Going out and seeing other people and just making new friends is one of the great joys of life.

Sitting at home and sulking over a past relationship wont make you any happier, so try to ensure that happiness for yourself.

Surround yourself with positive, happy people and build new relationships. It will give you the confidence to not only get back into the dating game, but a support system that you can fall back on no matter what.

5) Delete remnants of the relationships: Take down the pictures, the albums and delete him or her off your Facebook. It’s all about taking down all the reminders of your relationship so you don’t keep dwelling on them. The saying, “out of sight, out of mind,” really is a true one.

Deleting their Facebook also makes sure you don’t get the urge to stalk them via the web and see exactly who it is that’s talking to them, or where they’re going and with who, since that will drive you crazy.

Start with a clean slate and realize that you were fine before the relationship, and you will be just great afterwards too.

By: ArabLounge Staff

Everyone fights once in a while—every couple, no matter how perfect they may seem or how great they get along—will fight. Arab couples no less.

So how do some couples manage to get past these fights, move on and still have a healthy relationship? What is their secret, when so many other couples have succumbed to failure?

It’s actually rather simple. The couples that last are the ones who disagree, but can actually learn to let it go and just move on. They fight, but they fight fair.

Without this essential ingredient, the arguments and fights escalate into meltdowns and can bulldoze event the most well-intentioned couples.

Here are a few ways to fight fair and allow room for growth, even when you may not see eye to eye:

1) Keep it on the subject at hand: Don’t bring up something she did months ago that bugged you but that you never mentioned, or that one time he said something rude to you years ago.

Keep the argument focused on the subject at hand and fight the desire to use everything in your arsenal about everything that annoys you. There’s really no way to fairly argue about the core issue if you do that.

2) Keep your voices at a certain level: Screaming at the top of your lungs is not only going to frighten the other person, but your neighbors as well. Keep it civil and restrained.

3) Don’t curse: There really isn’t any need for it, and it just shows a total lack of respect for the other person.

Resist the temptation to call them vulgar names—there’s no going back from that, and you can be sure that the person wont let you forget it.

4) Don’t bring others into the argument: Keep your friends, family members and others near you out of your arguments. Do not ask any of them to agree or disagree with a point, and keep it between the two of you.

It’s not only going to make you look childish, but make everyone else feel extremely uncomfortable.

5) Remember how much this person means to you: Yes, you may be disagreeing right now, but remind yourself of how much in fact you really care about this person.

You love them and you want to make this work, so what would be the best way to resolve it?

Remembering some good times will also help calm you down enough to talk logically and figure the situation out.

6) Put yourself in their shoes: Why is it that they disagree with you? Do they have valid reasons for it? What if you were in their place?

This line of thinking usually helps you to see where they’re coming from and understanding them, which is really at the core of every argument.

Let them know that you understand their point of view, but that you disagree, and from there, explain why. Be civil, courteous and respectful, no matter what.

By: Fehmida Bholat

Helen Thomas, the venerable and respected White House journalist has a vastly different perspective than many of her colleagues.

That’s because she is an Arab-American, someone who grew up in a predominantly Arab American community, and has tirelessly fought for decades in search of truth, justice and transparency in the executive branch of the United States.

Thomas has also been an advocate of more Arab-Americans getting into the field of journalism. She has only one piece of advice when it comes to Arab journalists who want to make it in the business: “Get into the game!”

Her storied career starts on August 4^th, 1920, when she was born to Lebanese immigrants from Tripoli, Lebanon. She was reared in Michigan, which is known for its large Arab-American population, and graduated from Wayne University in the area.

She started off her journalism career as a copy girl for a now-defunct paper, and worked her way up the totem pole to cub reporter. In 1943, Thomas joined United Press International and reported on various issues which affected women on the radio wire service.

Her foray into national politics began at UPI, where she started to cover the Department of Justice, the FBI, Capitol Hill, and the federal government. In 1960, she began covering the young and charismatic president-elect John F. Kennedy, and since then, has covered every president to this day.

During her years covering Kennedy, she became the first woman reporter to ever close a presidential news conference with a traditional “Thank you, Mr. President.”

She was also the only female reporter to join Nixon on his famous and breakthrough trip to China, which helped bridge the gap between the two nations. In subsequent years, Thomas has made many trips back to China, covering international events and politics with fervor and imagination.

Thomas’ life is one of many firsts. She was the first woman officer and president of both the National Press Club and White House Correspondents Association. She was also the first female member of the Gridiron Club, and the first woman to be elected President of the club in 1993.

Thomas has also won numerous accolades for her tireless work, including honorary doctorate degrees, “woman of the year” awards and was even named one of the twenty-five most influential women in America by the World Almanac.

While her storied career has seen numerous presidents, administrations, wars and conflicts, Thomas is a firm believer that more Arab-American should join her in the field of journalism—if only to provide a different experience and voice to mainstream media.

Thomas has said that while she enjoys seeing other Arab Americans winning journalism prizes and accolades, what she would really like to see are simply more articles written by Arab reporters.

By: ArabLounge Staff

There are certain vitamins that every Arab should be taking—not only because of health, but because there are certain health deficiencies that can be caused by just your race and ethnicity.

Taking vitamins to help balance your health and making sure that you stay energized is not only imperative to living a long and fulfilling life, but also because these very vitamins are essential to the health of your hair, skin and nails.

Most people don’t know just how imperative it is to keep you daily vitamins in balance to stop loss of hair, brittle nails, acne, skin breakouts, and fatigue.

Just by taking a few vitamins or supplements, you can increase the luster of your hair, the strength of your nails, and how clear your skin is. The following is a list of vitamins that will do the trick, and something every Arab should be aware of:

1) Zinc/Iron: There are so many women who suffer from zinc and iron deficiency that it’s not considered to be as drastic a problem as it really is.

Zinc and iron are very helpful is eliminating white spots from nails, as well as increasing hair growth and keeping hair and nails shiny and strong.

Most women have the lowest levels of zinc and iron just prior to the menstrual cycles, and it’s important to remember to keep your increase your uptake around this time.

2) Vitamin D: Historically, many Asian and Arab women have very low levels of vitamin D, which can be produced either through sunlight or through dairy products.

Vitamin D is not only essential for hair and nail strength, it is also becoming widely believed to be one of the ways to boosting your immune system to help tackle cancers and other illnesses, something that is gaining traction as scientists uncover just how important the vitamin is to our health.

Staying in the sun for 10-15 minutes before applying sun block and eating plenty of diary products is a great way to boost your vitamin D levels, but most women are at such low levels, that 1200 mg capsules of Vitamin D should be taken until their numbers increase.

It’s also important to remember just how vital Vitamin D is to promoting bone strength as well, so that women don’t suffer from osteoporosis later in life, a big problem among aging Arab and Asian women.

3) Vitamin A: This is what you’ll need if you want clear skin. If you’re having constant breakouts and acne, and haven’t changed your eating habits, it could be due to low levels of Vitamin A.

This vitamin is necessary for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue, and without it, your skin will become flaky and itchy.

Vitamin A is usually found in large amounts in fruits and vegetables, especially in dark green vegetables, like spinach. It’s also used in creams that help reduce lines and wrinkles, so it’s easy to see how important this is to the healthy and beauty of flawless skin.

4) Prenatal vitamins: these tend to be more controversial because women who are often not pregnant take them to increase skin, hair and nail health.

Even though it is recommended just for women who are pregnant or who are about to become pregnant, women have realized that the vitamins and nutrients found in these pills, which include very high levels of iron and zinc, really bring out the best in their bodies.

Most women who aren’t pregnant only take these vitamins prior to a big occasion, such as a wedding or graduation, to boost the health of their hair and skin.

The safety risks are not high, as many women do take them without any problems in the short term, but in the long run, the high levels of the iron and zinc can lead to arthritis and damage to vital organs.

By: Arablounge staff

Paula Abdul has had many ups and downs in her life, but seems to always know how to land on her feet.

The resilient singer, dancer, choreographer, judge and America’s sweetheart was born to Syrian Jewish parents who moved around quite a bit when she was young, which influenced her worldview heavily.

Her family lived in Canada, Brazil and Syria, and the influence of different cultures, religions and customs, has influenced not only Abdul’s music, but her dancing, as well.

Although her parents divorced when Abdul was just a child, they instilled in her the roots of her Syrian ancestry, which has stayed with the star all her life. This helped her reach into her Arab roots and combine that with contemporary American pop music to create something unique, which set her apart from all the other artists of her time.

As a precocious child growing up in Hollywood, she was always front and center on stage as either a singer or dancer in the community musical theatre groups or tap dancing her way to fame.

Her natural talent and hard work propelled her to excel at the arts, even going as far as leading her to become a cheerleader as a young college student for the Los Angeles Lakers—a prestigious and highly sought-after position in the bustling city.

Her time on the cheerleading squad helped lead her to more lucrative choreography gigs, working for big names like Janet Jackson, Deborah Gibson, Dolly Parton, George Michael, and ZZ Top, and the Rolling Stones on their worldwide tours.

She then jumped from dancing to singing at the insistence of her peers, releasing two #1 hit albums and seven hit singles that reached the top of the charts.

Her single, “Straight Up,” became hugely popular and highlighted not only Abdul’s vocal abilities, but her dancing in the iconic video.

After taking a break from the show business for a few years, Abdul appeared as a judge on the brand new TV show, “American Idol,” which became immensely popular, and thrust her back into the spotlight.

She was known as the sweetheart of the reality TV singing competition, often trying to soften the other judge’s harsh critiques and encouraging young singers to follow their passion.

Her tête-à-tête with the surly British judge, Simon Cowell, was often the highlight of the show, as well as the comedic relief.

After several successful seasons on the show, Abdul left, and now organizes dance camps for young children and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Currently, she has been cast as the new judge on a brand new reality TV dancing competition, which Abdul says will become a great new outlet for young and aspiring dancers to make it in the cutthroat business.

By: ArabLounge Staff

You’ve made the decision. I’m going to sign up on a dating site and see what bites. Other ways (dating, arranged marriage, etc) just sound awful to you, and hey, it doesn’t take much effort to create and set up a profile, does it?

But what to do when you’re one among thousands of other singles looking for that special someone? How do you set yourself apart when everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, is looking for an “honest, thoughtful, funny and loving” person?

If your profile looks just like all the rest, there’s a chance that it will get overlooked by a great girl or guy, and that’s why it’s so important to set yourself apart from the rest of the pack.

Arab singles tend to universally look for a certain set of traits, and it’s important to show that not only are you a great person, but you’re unique as well.

Here are some great ways to set yourself apart (in a good way) from all the other singles:

1) What makes you special: Do you go hiking a lot? Are you an avid volunteer at your local mosque, church or temple? Do you own a business making jam? Whatever it is that sets you apart from other people—it’s good to advertise it. It shows that you have interests, hobbies and, well, a life.

It might be a good idea to have one picture that shows you somehow involved in this activity and to write a little bit about it in your section describing yourself.

Don’t go overboard by making your whole page about it though. That can turn off people who may not be interested, and may even get intimidated by it. However, it will give you something to chat about and it’s likely that like-minded people will find you because you mentioned it.

2) The Profile Picture: This cant be stressed enough. Hardly anyone will look at a profile that doesn’t have a picture, and let’s face it; the picture is going to be what draws people into clicking on your profile.

Pick out your most flattering top in a great color and have a friend take a few different shots. Do a few different poses (not in a cheesy way,) and pick which one you like best.

A good picture is usually when you’re looking straight into the camera, smiling and seem relaxed. Try to be outside and in soft, afternoon light, maybe an hour before sunset. This is the best light to take pictures in.

3) Have “action” shots: Although your profile picture is important, you want to have some other pictures that show what you’re interested in.

A good idea is to have a few pictures with family, some with friends, some of you alone, doing an outdoor activity, a nice headshot, and just a few more random ones.

It shows you in a variety of situations, and the importance of these pictures is to show other singles what you’re really like.

Pick pictures that you think really represent what you love about yourself and your life. This helps you become more relatable and approachable too.

4) Write something different: Look through a couple dozen profiles of other Arab singles. Do they all seem to say the same thing? Probably.

The best thing you can do is to write something about yourself and what you’re looking for in a unique way. Using sarcasm, funny quotes, insights, jokes and honest reflections are a great way to stand out.

Your picture draws singles in. It’s the content on your profile which really makes people interested. Remember that, and you’ll realize how important it is to stand out.