# Ask the Swedish-born Egyptian guy living in California **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 8, 2001, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036 "2001-10-08T03:10:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bedris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d26b3c/32.png) [@bedris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bedris)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/1 "2001-10-08T03:10:12Z")
You knew it was inevitable. Ask away, folks! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Call\_Me\_Tech-Mex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@Just\_Call\_Me\_Tech-Mex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Call_Me_Tech-Mex)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/2 "2001-10-08T03:35:46Z")
So are the date palms the same there? Or are they the fruitless variety? ---
**Author:** ![bedris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d26b3c/32.png) [@bedris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bedris)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/3 "2001-10-08T03:48:57Z")
Which _there_ are you referring to? ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/4 "2001-10-08T05:35:47Z")
Have you been to Sweden or Egypt when you were old enough to understand and remember what those places were like? If so, what were they like? And why did your parents go from Egypt to Sweden? How did you end up in California? –Scribble. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/5 "2001-10-08T06:23:11Z")
Are you being harassed because of your physical features? ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/6 "2001-10-08T06:47:57Z")
favorite thing about america? and, oh yes: favorite kool aid flavor? ---
**Author:** ![TheThill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheThill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheThill)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/7 "2001-10-08T10:15:16Z")
Do you manage to keep up all three languages (assuming you did learn them all)? ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/8 "2001-10-08T17:32:23Z")
So, do you have any tips for a guy who really wants to meet and marry a Swedish woman? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![celestina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@celestina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/celestina)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/9 "2001-10-08T18:29:35Z")
Hey bedris, My, my, my Egypt to Sweden to California. So, travelling among all these cultures, what’s your best/worst/most interesting incidence of culture shock and how did you overcome it? Did the incidence of culture shock make you question and/or change your position on an idea/practice/belief you or your family hold? ---
**Author:** ![bedris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d26b3c/32.png) [@bedris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bedris)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/10 "2001-10-09T02:12:35Z")
\*Have you been to Sweden or Egypt when you were old enough to understand and remember what those places were like? If so, what were they like? \* I was born in Sweden and moved to the States when I was about three and a half. My parents are both full blooded Egyptian, but I’ve never lived there. The last time I was in Egypt was December, 1999 (~2 years). Egypt is smoggy, dusty, but the people are really what make it what it is. They’re very hospitable and generous. Sweden is cold, clammy, yet safe and has great benefits. You pay 75%+ of your income to the government, but in return they provide you with great health care, great schooling, great retirement plans, etc. * * * Gotta run, folks. I’ll answer the rest of the questions and any more than you may have when I get back. ---
**Author:** ![Cyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@Cyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/11 "2001-10-09T05:16:45Z")
Do you tan well? ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/12 "2001-10-09T06:19:44Z")
Do you wear a fez when you go shopping for salted licorice in Solvang? ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/13 "2001-10-09T16:34:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bedris \* > \*\*You knew it was inevitable. Ask away, folks! 🙂 \*\* I just want to thank **bedris** for starting this thread. For not dancing around this issue as a lot of us have for lo these many years, and for taking the inevitable upon yourself for the enlightenment of humanity, I salute you! ---
**Author:** ![bedris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d26b3c/32.png) [@bedris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bedris)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/14 "2001-10-09T23:00:43Z")
\*And why did your parents go from Egypt to Sweden? How did you end up in California? \* My father did his PhD at Chalmers Institure of Technology in Sweden during the late 60’s and early 70’s. He moved to Pittsburgh (then California) on job offers. _Are you being harassed because of your physical features?_ You mean because of the incidents on 9/11? Yes, I was for a little bit. If you were asking if people harrassed me on a normal basis, I would have to say no. In fact, I am quite a good looking guy ;)! (I wish…) \*favorite thing about america? \* The fact that anyone can become anything. There are no boundaries. You really have no limit as to how successful or unsuccessful you can become. _favorite kool aid flavor?_ The red one. Cherry? _Do you manage to keep up all three languages (assuming you did learn them all)?_ I am fluent in English and Arabic, but not quite so fluent in Swedish. \*So, do you have any tips for a guy who really wants to meet and marry a Swedish woman? \* Yes, avoid it at all costs! 😉 _So, travelling among all these cultures, what’s your best/worst/most interesting incidence of culture shock and how did you overcome it? Did the incidence of culture shock make you question and/or change your position on an idea/practice/belief you or your family hold?_ Let me re-iterate. I never lived in Egypt. To tell you the honest truth, I’ve never had a very significant incidence of culture shock. The one thing I found interesting, however, is that in terms of music and popular culture, Sweden is literally years behind the U.S. As for changing, no not really. I’m the kind of person who really don’t alter his character often. And although I am open minded, it takes something **very** significant to completely change my belief on a certain topic/subject. _Do you tan well?_ Yes! And I never get sun burnt! Hah, what are you Americans gonna do about that one??? 🙂 😉 _Do you wear a fez when you go shopping for salted licorice in Solvang?_ Of course! Please, if you could, avoid very obvious questions like the one just asked. 😉 \*I just want to thank bedris for starting this thread. \* Thank you. I like to think of myself as a modern hero of sorts… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/15 "2001-10-09T23:43:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bedris \* > _Do you wear a fez when you go shopping for salted licorice in Solvang?_ > > Of course! Please, if you could, avoid very obvious questions like the one just asked. ;)\*\* Obvious maybe, but only to fellow licorice addicts. So, do you favor Piratos, Salminger, Gajol, Lakerol, Salmiak or perhaps the Turkish Pepper Bombs? ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/16 "2001-10-09T23:45:58Z")
Does the name “bedris” have any particular significance? It’s just very unusual. Also, during your brief time in Egypt did people hold your westernization against you in any way? Were you considered “sorta Egyptian but not really”? Thanks! Veb ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/17 "2001-10-09T23:55:13Z")
So - been to Yosemite yet? Which is your favorite Big Rock - Half Dome or El Capitan? (Every self-respecting Californian goes to Yosemite!) Remember - the entrance fee is now up to $20 for a single car! :eek: [sub]Hey - look at my username. I _have_ to ask this stuff.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2001, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/18 "2001-10-10T00:36:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bedris \* > \*\* > > \*So, do you have any tips for a guy who really wants to meet and marry a Swedish woman? \* > > Yes, avoid it at all costs! 😉 > \*\* ::coughs tactfully:: Uh, **bedris**? You’re kinda new and surely weren’t aware of this, but **Montfort** just married **Anniz** , who’s gorgeous, a total sweetie and Swedish. Like from _Sweden_. They met here on the Dope. Your winking smilie clued that you were joking, so no harm and no foul. I just thought I’d clue you in that **Montfort’s** question was a sort of happy-bridegroom-to-a-Swedish-goddess joke too. And **Anniz** really IS a dear! She could wipe out any bad memories and impressions you have–but she’s most happily and emphatically spoken for. ::grins:: Just explainin’ a little backhistory here… Veb ---
**Author:** ![NiceGuyJack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/niceguyjack/32/3069_2.png) [@NiceGuyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NiceGuyJack)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2001, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/19 "2001-10-10T06:25:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bedris \* > \*\* > > The one thing I found interesting, however, is that in terms of music and popular culture, Sweden is literally years behind the U.S. > \*\* According to your previous post, you moved from Sweden at the tender age of 3 and a half. How are you able to remember about Swedish popular culture? Although I was not born there, I did live in Sweden for about six years and I remember wondering how a country with only 8 million people could produce so many international rock/pop stars. Also, I should point out that being behind indicates they would follow in the footsteps. I doubt that is accurate. US pop culture may influence, but I’m willing to bet they put their own Swedish spin to their own culture. Actually the best example I have is Japan. I’ve lived in Japan three times over a total of 12 years and one thing that struck me is how the Japanese would adapt pop culture from other nations (especially the US), but they never took it as is, they would always Japanize it making it so Japanese, yet so American, but not quite, totaly unique. I loved it. My two cents. Jack ---
**Author:** ![bedris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d26b3c/32.png) [@bedris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bedris)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2001, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036/20 "2001-10-10T22:46:38Z")
Look at that. I don’t check my thread for one day and I’m gettin roasted! _So, do you favor Piratos, Salminger, Gajol, Lakerol, Salmiak or perhaps the Turkish Pepper Bombs?_ I hate licorice. I was just being sarcastic. _Does the name “bedris” have any particular significance?_ First name: Badreddin. Last name: Edris. Any questions? \*It’s just very unusual. \* Thanks, butt-hole! 😉 \*So - been to Yosemite yet? \* No, I skipped the school trip many moons ago. I went to Sequoia National Park. Does that count for anything? 🙂 \*Uh, bedris? You’re kinda new and surely weren’t aware of this, but Montfort just married Anniz, who’s gorgeous, a total sweetie and Swedish. Like from Sweden. They met here on the Dope. \* I’m sure she is. From what I remember of Swedish day care teachers (i.e., not much) I’m sure Swedish women are great. I wasn’t old enough to ever properly evaluate the situation first hand. You were right though… I was joking. \*According to your previous post, you moved from Sweden at the tender age of 3 and a half. How are you able to remember about Swedish popular culture? \* Looks like we have a former Policy Debator on our hands. 🙂 My memories about Swedish popular culture stem mainly from what I’ve been told by my brothers (when we moved from Sweden, they were 16 and 13 years old, so they remember quite a bit). They told me about a time when my cousin from the Big Apple came to visit us. Batman was just getting popular (I think it was Batman - maybe some other super hero) and my cousin had already gotten a Batman T-shirt before the show/movie was even out in Sweden. Basically, when he came to visit, he was revered as a God (he still remembers it to this day) and he couldn’t get over the fact that they hadn’t gotten the Batman show/movie yet. Sure, so it **is** only one example, but I guess it was enough for me to form an opinion. I agree that Sweden has produced many talented people (_cough_ Ace of Base _cough_;)) it’s just that from what I heard, they’re still behind the U.S. ================================= Anything else? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-swedish-born-egyptian-guy-living-in-california/86036.md?page=2)