not only is that a GORGEOUS ring, but that's a sick story as well! how unreal! lucky you. it is truly beautiful
My fun new piece of jewlery!
- Thread starter lanasyogamama
- Start date
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This was my initial reaction too. I used to work with Middle Eastern people, and it was considered poor manners to outright compliment someone on something because they are obligated to give it to you regardless of whether they want to or not. Maybe it is not so in this case, didn't mean to spoil your story...and you certainly didn't know.
http://www.divinecaroline.com/22360/65416-cross-cultural-compliments--lost-translation
http://www.divinecaroline.com/22360/65416-cross-cultural-compliments--lost-translation
Correct me if I'm wrong. From what I know, it's a cultural thing with them ( Middle East/Arabian culture). If you compliment them on something they own, they are obliged to give to you the item. Which is why people who are aware of this custom are very careful in giving compliments when visiting houses there
i don't think it's costume. i'd get it appraised.
did you take her address to send a thank you? maybe buy her a cute peice of jewelry to send with the note.
i believe they do give you something in arab countries if you compliment it. that is likely why she gave it to you, because you liked it so.
did you take her address to send a thank you? maybe buy her a cute peice of jewelry to send with the note.
i believe they do give you something in arab countries if you compliment it. that is likely why she gave it to you, because you liked it so.
what a gorgeous ring!!! such a lovely thing to be surprised by the kindness & generosity of strangers.
Agree. It looked like blue topaz and maybe citrine on the sides to me from the photo. It looks too ornate to be costume- or if it is costume (w/ the setting and details), it is really nice costume. I would go to a jeweler and ask them to look at it.
I had no idea if you complimented someone from that background that they give the item to you. Wow. I would have never thought that. I doubt she thought you were trying to use the practice either- she probably (or did know) you were likely not familiar w/ the practice if you were discussing where you were visting from, etc.
I wish I had her address to send a note! Maybe she's on TPF?!
We were talking about where we're from. I said "Boston", and her husband asked "What country is that?" Duh! (to Me I mean) It's so easy to forget that not everyone in the world knows the States.
We were talking about where we're from. I said "Boston", and her husband asked "What country is that?" Duh! (to Me I mean) It's so easy to forget that not everyone in the world knows the States.
Correct me if I'm wrong. From what I know, it's a cultural thing with them ( Middle East/Arabian culture). If you compliment them on something they own, they are obliged to give to you the item. Which is why people who are aware of this custom are very careful in giving compliments when visiting houses there
It is but some of us don't take it as seriously, my family doesn't
The first time I heard about it (and I'm actually from Dubai
) was when my friend was telling me that her mom owned a vintage designer bag and she loved it.. So one day she goes up to her mom and asks for the bag and her mom tells her that she gave the bag to her friend because her friend said she liked it.. My friend got mad because she really wanted the bag and her mom replied "I was taught that if someone likes something you own, you have to give it to them"..My friend's still mad
