The Self-Entitled “Other Oman”
If you want inside info, you gotta go to the insiders. This is why I spend (too much) time reading blogs about the countries we’re covering for LoveHabibi. It’s a fascinating journey into the hearts, minds and souls of those in the know, and who reveal what I want to know.
I laughed out loud at least twenty times reading a blog entitled Spam from the lovelorn, and some advice by a female Omani blogger who goes by the name of “Other Oman.” – The author’s otherness comes from her “crankiness” as she calls it, which basically translates as a fearlessness of saying precisely what she thinks and sees, harsh language and caustic commentary included. This particular blog deals with how to charm and woo the modern Omani woman. Complete with an in-depth guide on how and who to date, Other Oman doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to sizing up potential Romeos. If her blog was a film I’d give it an NC17 rating: be warned – this is a loudmouthed, crass, tough-talking blog and is not for the fainthearted, although I for one think it’s a priceless insight to dating in the digital age, through the eyes of a modern Omani!
The Must Haves
According to the blog, just as olden-day Romeos needed a cape handy to drop over a puddle and save their sweetheart’s feet from getting soggy, modern men who want to date Omani women need the following:
- A car: no specification is made as to make, model or colour, but make sure it doesn’t have any teddy bears or hearts lurking and above all, avoid (like the plague) slogan stickers that make you out to be a racer or a bad boy.
- A watch: being on time is a turn-on.
- A heart of gold: be a model citizen: take your little cousins to the park to play, be a volunteer charity organizer, or get a job or internship in customer service, where you can talk, hang out and generally be nice to the ladies. Above all, try to be the kind of guy your sister would want to date.
Dress To Impress
There is also a low-down on how Mr Right of Oman should dress to impress Ms Might-Want-To-Date-You of Oman. It involves not spending too much time on your hair, avoiding the “Shabab” fedora and bowler, and not wearing spray-on jeans. Iphones and other gadgets should be used modestly, and posing is strongly dissuaded. Again our intrepid author advises getting a female relative’s opinion before stepping out in your finery.
Be Cool… Man
It seems that Omani women value modesty in actions as much as style. Other Oman points out that appearing too keen is the surest way to scare off a potential girlfriend. She has compiled a hit list of how to compel and not repel from the get-go. Here is a selection of my favourites:
- Make eye contact and smile.
- When you speak to Omani girls, early interactions must be strictly business.
- Act like a busy and confident guy.
- Don’t ask for names and/or numbers on a first meeting. Once interest has been ascertained, go slowly. After you have seen each other a couple of times, exchange numbers.
READY… STEADY… DATE!
The blog concludes with some advice on first dates. There are some universal truths in here that could just as easily apply to both men and women in many different countries. Here are the ones that made me chuckle:
- Don’t stalk, don’t call all the time, and don’t send 20,000 forwarded text messages. If your date doesn’t call you back after you’ve called once and sent one text message, get the hint.
- Gentlemen should pay for dinner or juice.
- Do interesting stuff on dates: Other Oman recommends taking a female date fishing, indoor rock climbing, ice skating, or to Oman’s Cafe Cermique’.
Do you know something about Omani dating we don’t? Perhaps you’re an Omani man or woman with a personal take on this? Don’t be shy! Let us know!
