Dating a Lebanese man or woman, what to actually expect

Dating a Lebanese person means meeting the family early

In a lot of Lebanese families, people know you exist before you know they know. A sister, a cousin or a mother will want to hear about you, and then see you. Being invited to Sunday lunch is a good sign, even if it lasts five hours.

That doesn't mean every Lebanese family is the same. Some are strict, some couldn't care less, and religion matters a lot more in some homes than others. Lebanon has Maronite, Orthodox, Melkite, Sunni, Shia and Druze families, and the rules differ. Ask, instead of guessing.

Three languages, sometimes one sentence

"Hi, kifak, ça va?" is a real greeting. Many Lebanese people move between Arabic, French and English without noticing. You don't need all three. But learning a few phrases goes a long way with parents, and even more with a teta.

The food is a love language

You'll be fed. Manoushe in the morning, mezze that never ends, and at least one argument about who makes the best tabbouleh. Say yes to the second plate. Compliment the cook. If you're asked whether you like the food, the right answer is always that you love it.

Things that matter to a lot of Lebanese people

Family loyalty is strong, and so is pride in where their family is from, down to the village. Many people have relatives back in Lebanon, and news from home affects them deeply. Be patient on hard days.

There's also a lot of humor. Lebanese people tease the people they like. If they're making fun of you, you're probably in.

Meet someone Lebanese

On HeyArab you can see someone's country of origin, their languages, and how involved their family is before you match. See Lebanese singles in the US, or read meeting Arab parents for the first time before that first Sunday lunch.