Omani Conversation Highlights!

Typical things you might hear in Oman, a few personal anecdotes, and the Omani version of “old wives’ tales.” Not all are unique to Oman or representative of the view of the public generally, but it gives you a snapshot of life here.

“We like Americans, but we don’t like your country’s politics.”

"Too bad Obama had to inherit all of the problems that Bush got him into."

“The Sultan has it under control.”

“We don’t differentiate between Muslims, and in the end we’re all Ahl al Kitaab [People of the Book aka the monotheistic, Abrahamic faiths].”

“Driving here, it’s not good at all. People are crazy! There are so many accidents.” –said while overtaking another car at 130 kph on a two lane highway…at night…in fog.

“Inshallah.” [Godwilling, aka yea we'll hope it happens but I'm not promising anything.]

In the car with my tutor, driving past the orphanage and disabilities home, she says that there are many, many disabled Omanis. I suggest that disabilities may be a genetic result of inter-marriage within tribes. She says we don’t know what the cause is, we don’t have studies. It could be this, it could be that, it could be a curse from God.

“Are you married?”

Conversation with an Omani friend when my roommate was out of the country: “Do you mind living by yourself? Just don’t be scared. I had to live by myself in Nizwa for a month. And, you know, it’s scary because people always talk about the jinn [like the anglicized ‘genie’]. Sometimes you might think they are looking at you or something. Just don’t be frightened.”

"Inshallah."

“You can’t boil tea leaves or it will hurt in your legs.” Also: “You have to drink the tea before you eat the apple, or else it will wash away the nutrients.”

“Omani men are crazy these days because they are not breastfed anymore.”

"The United States found out that Cornflakes cause cancer, so they are unloading them on the Arab world."

Omani Greeting:

1. السلام عليكم

2. وعليكم السلام

1. كيف الحال؟

2. الحمد لله بخير, كيف حالك؟

1. بخير والحمد لله

1.شي علوم؟

2. ما شي

1. شي اخبار؟

2. ما شي, من صوبكم؟

1. ما شي


English Translation:
1. Hey, what’s up?
2. Nothing.