Cyprus-Forum.com

[Nikitas]

Bucksboy,

Now that you mention it, one could say that Arabs, like the Lebanese, are in fact a lot more European in outlook and culture than most of the British and other northerners. If not European they are definitely more cosmopolitan than the British.

So maybe you are right. We are like Arabs therefore European!

[Bucksboy]

Bucksboy,

Now that you mention it, one could say that Arabs, like the Lebanese, are in fact a lot more European in outlook and culture than most of the British and other northerners. If not European they are definitely more cosmopolitan than the British.

So maybe you are right. We are like Arabs therefore European!

Nikitas,
What a strange opinion to say that Arabs are more European. I grant you, there are enough of them in Europe learning from European Cultures but who in their right mind needs or wants anything from Arab or Muslim cultures / countries apart from oil?
As for your comment above, I suggest you visit London to experience the most cosmopolitan city in Europe if not the entire world. Not that that is anything in my opinion to celebrate as I can see throughout Europe that multiculturalism does not work.
It's interesting too that you single out Britain for your examples as though it is some kind of special case or is it that you too, like to knock your former colonial governing power at every opportunity like most of your compatriots. ( I am assuming you are Cypriot)
As for Cypriots being European, I can only comment on what I have seen & listened to in my ten years living here and reiterate that generally, Cypriots are more akin to Arab ways of thinking.

[alexISS]

Who are the Europeans that Cypriots should be compared to? Northern and southern Europeans are very different. Compare the Cypriots to Greeks or Italians, they are very close. Southern Europe, after all, is the true Europe, where the very word originates from

[Nikitas]

Bucksboy said:

"you single out Britain for your examples as though it is some kind of special case or is it that you too, like to knock your former colonial governing power at every opportunity like most of your compatriots."

I am a Cypriot with fifteen years worth of London experience. I single out Britain because it is a classic case of a non European nation in Europe. Take the average English person's ability or willingness to learn a foreign language and start from there. Not to mention the political approach of the much touted special relationship with the USA, the constant udermining of the European Union, sabotaging the EU constitution, spying on the EU Commission by the MI6 and the list goes on.

Now compare that with the cosmopolitcan culture of the Lebanese and see who is the more European. I would bet on the Lebanese and those are the Arabs I singled out.

I agree with Alexiss above, the south of Europe is the quintessential Europe. Central and Eastern Europe are close. Britain has a long way to go to become European.

[Bucksboy]

Bucksboy said:

"you single out Britain for your examples as though it is some kind of special case or is it that you too, like to knock your former colonial governing power at every opportunity like most of your compatriots."

I am a Cypriot with fifteen years worth of London experience. I single out Britain because it is a classic case of a non European nation in Europe. Take the average English person's ability or willingness to learn a foreign language and start from there. Not to mention the political approach of the much touted special relationship with the USA, the constant udermining of the European Union, sabotaging the EU constitution, spying on the EU Commission by the MI6 and the list goes on.

Now compare that with the cosmopolitcan culture of the Lebanese and see who is the more European. I would bet on the Lebanese and those are the Arabs I singled out.

I agree with Alexiss above, the south of Europe is the quintessential Europe. Central and Eastern Europe are close. Britain has a long way to go to become European.

Nikitas,
Of course that is your opinion and I'm more than happy that you express it but I know what I see & hear in Cyprus which is what the post is all about. I agree that north & south Europeans vary in their outlooks & culture as do each nation that is classed as European.
You would have thought that with your extensive stay in the United Kingdom you might have noticed just how cosmopolitan the United Kingdom is today. Perhaps you do not want to see.
From what I understand and observe, Britain has an edge over many of the other European nations with regard to culture etc. in that the country is fortunate to be influenced ( and vice versa) by not only the English speaking North American countries but her close European neighbours.
I can however see how this can be misunderstood by many and the cause of much envy by others less fortunate.
As for not learning foreign languages, that is just an internal education matter and as we all know there are plenty of Britons working abroad in Europe and fluent in European language's.

As for the European Union and the United Kingdom why should the UK agree to a constitution that is not beneficial to it? It's as simple as that.

The special relationship between the UK and USA is surely not so different from the incestuous relationship between Greece and Cyprus. What strange bedfellows those two make.!

[Eliko]

Cypriots are the gypsies of the Greek nation.

Too right Moosh !.

[miltiades]

Cypriots are NOT GREEKS , or Kalamarades . Similar culture to an extend , similar religion and language but so what , The Australians and Americans are not English. I get offended to be called a Greek , a Greek Cypriot Yes but most certainly not Kalamaras. As for Cypriots been likened to Arabs more than to Europeans that is preposterous.
Firstly we use a knife and fork Secondly the women rule the house. Thirdly we do not stone people to death !!
And finaly we dont have the only commodity that makes them feel important , OIL , dates maybe or rugs perhaps , as well as gum Arabic used in all sparkling soft drings , coke for instance , and Osama Bin Laden , the bastard Piss on the bastard , owns huges reserves of Gum Arabic !!

[DT.]

Bucksboy,

Now that you mention it, one could say that Arabs, like the Lebanese, are in fact a lot more European in outlook and culture than most of the British and other northerners. If not European they are definitely more cosmopolitan than the British.

So maybe you are right. We are like Arabs therefore European!

Nikitas,
What a strange opinion to say that Arabs are more European. I grant you, there are enough of them in Europe learning from European Cultures but who in their right mind needs or wants anything from Arab or Muslim cultures / countries apart from oil?
As for your comment above, I suggest you visit London to experience the most cosmopolitan city in Europe if not the entire world. Not that that is anything in my opinion to celebrate as I can see throughout Europe that multiculturalism does not work.
It's interesting too that you single out Britain for your examples as though it is some kind of special case or is it that you too, like to knock your former colonial governing power at every opportunity like most of your compatriots. ( I am assuming you are Cypriot)
As for Cypriots being European, I can only comment on what I have seen & listened to in my ten years living here and reiterate that generally, Cypriots are more akin to Arab ways of thinking.

You gotta be kidding me. London is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world because there are no English living in central London. It has the most diverse cultural influences however the English are a small minority in this area of London which houses this cosmopolitan feel you talk off.

In fact in Cental London (Marble Arch, Edgware Road, Mayfair..basically a large chunk of W1) you would probably find that more than 50% of the homeowners are Arabs. English can't afford to live there.

[Bill]

But we do have potatoes in Cyprus miltiades

DT you are spot on re the Arabs in the west of London ~ virtually every other shop in some parts of the Edgware road has a Arab flavour.

My bank in Marylebone was always full of ( presumably ) women staring at you through the slit for their eyes ~ used to really piss me off when I was requested to remove my open face motorcycle helmet by the bank staff

Bill ~~~ from the Middle East before the UK

[Sophia1]

You are right Eleni, I had the same prob and it does hit you were it hurts but come to think of it as you say it's all new to them.

I am glad you pointed that out hun xx