Bless their hearts, Omanis and their hospitality

You might never guess, but one part of Omani culture really reminds me of the South - the hospitality and their treatment of guests (Alhamdulillah).

My Omani colloquial dialect teacher Rehma is the epitome of ettiquette. I think she opens up a little more to my class, because it's just five girls, but boy is she sassy. I was very thankful when she went through the polite way to greet, introduce, and gather in an Omani's home. If you are invited to an Omani's home, you bring always bring a small happy, usually sweets or Omani Haluwa (their own sweet desert, basically gelatin made from dates, a lot of sugar, and nuts). You leave it at the door, as not to be noticed. You also take off your shoes, wait to be invited in, shown where to sit. There is traditionally a men's sitting room and women's sitting room in Omani houses. Pretty nice way of keeping bro-time and girl talk separated.

But, here's where it gets oddly comparable. The typical afternoon hello, as compared to the South:

Oman: The Omani family greets you, asks about everything in your life, then offers you coffee and dates. You say 'no, thank you' for the first couple of times.

the South: You're stop by a friend's in the afternoon. You're offered a coke, or if they start early, a drink. You're really thirsty from it being so hot out, but you don't want to impose.

Oman: The third time they ask, they insist, because otherwise 'they have to finish it all.' So then, you begin to eat. You can't refuse at this point. Then they'll offer you seconds. Once again, you NEVER refuse. Then comes thirds. And so on. Basically, even if you're full, there is no getting out of it. Just keeping eating.

the South: They offer you a drink again. You say, "Well, are you sure?" And right away they shuffle off to whip something up, and come out with a cheese and cracker tray along with your drink. Then you sit down and begin to catch up, and as soon as your drink is low, you're filled right back up.

Also, I have paid for an Omani's meal maybe once. As long as I am an American in Oman, 'I am a guest,' and I am completely taken care of.  Men will often pay for the whole table's meal, and we've even had Iranians from a completely different table offer to pay for our meal at a very nice restaurant, all because we were guests.