Uncivilized with Technology

July 10, 2007 at 10:37 am · Filed under Geek Culture & Tech, Pop Culture, Roba

In University of Jordan’s yearbook, they put the picture of each graduate and their full names, which in the Arab world contains the father’s name.

My cousin, who also graduated this year, keeps getting phonecalls from random women saying that they found her picture in the yearbook, thought she was really cute (and that the fact that she wears hijab is a plus), got her home’s number from the Yellow Pages using her dad’s name, and that they have a son who’s looking for a bride, “When can we come and have coffee?”

Fortunately, both my cousin and her family are finding the humor in the matter, but when I was told the story, I couldn’t help but think that wow, people are certainly unable to cope graciously with the unprecedented levels of global openness that are resulting from technology, mass culture, and communication advances.

Then, last night, a friend of mine sent me a link to a Facebook profile with the person, “Natalie Omran”, using a picture of mine as “her” own (though I’m 94% certain it’s a he).

identity fraud

And even tagged as “her”!

I added “her” as a friend but she rejected. Mhmmm….






  • http://somethingsomething.blogspot.com Liza

    That’s more than a little bizarre. You should report it to facebook.

  • http://reflectupon.blogspot.com super devoika

    creepy i would say!!!
    about your cousin… yeah i know… i once had a call like that… but guess what… she was asking about other girls in my class… as it happened she didn’t like me!! =)
    i couldn’t stop laughing at her rudeness and stupidity…
    and still we will live to see what is even more bizarre!!!

  • http://nousha.wordpress.com nousha

    this is really odd!

  • http://www.jeeran.com/ Laith Zraikat

    As much as we love social networks, They do have alot of down-sides, and this is just one of them. Contrary to what people may think, the real challenge facing these sites is privacy, and not new and cooler features.

  • http://kekosworld.blogspot.com KeKo

    Priceless! I can even see how the Mastercard ad would go :)
    I am also loving the 94%

  • Nick

    V creepy – I’d stay clear of him (you’re right – must be a guy).

  • http://mindsonbytes.blogspot.com Isam

    ha3 ha3 … BO-SYKO …

    but if he is a guy try to fool with other guys … see the half full glass here … he wanted to choose a cute girl’s picture and he chose urz ;)

  • http://mindsonbytes.blogspot.com Isam

    TYPO : trying

  • Mohannad

    Well, I think the first method was very common in Jordan and acceptable where I see many of my friends just attended graduation to see ladies.
    I been away from Amman for 8 years between England & Saudi Arabia and the situation is completely different in those countries. I do not understand how it works in Saudi Arabia at all.
    anyone would like to suggest a good way so people can try it too?

  • Mohannad

    Well, I think the first method was very common in Jordan and acceptable where I see many of my friends just attended graduation to find ladies.
    I been away from Amman for 8 years between England & Saudi Arabia and the situation is completely different when it comes to Muslim communities where you find arranged marriage. I do not understand how it works at all.
    Anyone would like to suggest a good way so people can try it too?

  • http://moeys.net Moey

    wtf!

  • http://thearabobserver.blogspot.com/ The Observer

    lol!

    You know what, a lot of ladies put their photos in the year book in order to get such chance! Those who are looking for a pride to their son don’t look through facebook! They wouldn’t like their future daughter-in-law to appear on the internet! But the year book of universtiy would sound like a good place for them! Stupid? yes! Big time!

    Who is the other girl in the picture? Maybe she is Natalie?

  • Talal

    I’m surprised nobody’s asked what is clearly the most pressing question of all: What do you call a ‘yearbook’ in Arabic?! Kitaab us-Sana? Kitaab Sanawi? lol

    PS. My anti-spam word was ‘tage3′–KICK ASS! Reminds me of home lol

    “Yaa5i we have to go the Jam3iyyah and get some groceries…. -Taaggggeee33333, just order some Kentaaacky”

  • http://ahmadys.blogspot.com ДншдЬ

    I’ll be glad if a girl took my photo and claimed she is a guy to fool other girls…

    BTW, if there is a girl interested in such a thing, please don’t be shy to ask for a photo ;)

  • http://www.jordanmafia.net/blog Severus

    That still prove my point , of how stupid and lame social networks are
    in general people never learn
    facebook is becoming another Hi5 , with men and g@y men, trying the old “fe majal la 3olaga” in a modren way, its no longer a way to catch old friends
    its just sick :s

  • Stephen

    Whether it’s a he or a she is questionable but definitely a sad sad person

  • http://www.madeinjordan.wordpress.com Pheras Hilal

    HAHAHAHA! That’s just hilarious! Hey, they say that imitation is the best compliment you’ll get. Perhaps identity theft is even a better compliment! ;-)

    Report the loser to Facebook…

  • http://pressureovercappuccino.blogspot.com Deee

    Well, maybe its not you, its ur evil twin you never heard of, or someone who’s really likes you.. expressing in the stupidest of ways… REPORT IT ( I say its probably an IT not a HE or a SHE!)

  • http://miss-sealover.blogspot.com/ miss sea lover

    lol…actually i heard alot of people do that, there is a girl having her father name samne as my dad’s, people don’t stop calling us to see her…lol…i even wanted to see her and check how beatiful she is…lol…people r so narrow minded, and they wonder we hv such cases of divorce!!

  • http://caramellasetoile.blogspot.com/ Farah(caramella)

    haha, it happens all the time, one a guy stole my picture not from facebook though it was from Hi5 so i closed my Hi5 that time and did a facebook
    but why are you doubting that the owner of that acccount is a “he”?
    the ironic thing he tagged himself in the photo & rejected your “friend request” , but you should report it to facebook or something, stuff like that shouldn’t happen….

  • Besh

    u know i totally agree that facebook is turning into another hi5.
    bas anyway u should really trace this assehole and nail him. he deserves it. such people have no decency neither anything. i have argued alot with my friends telling them they should be more careful (ayyam el hi5)…but they jst dnt lsn (minni oo 3alai shatabt el account)…bas anyway look at the good side he chose your picture to fool other guys lol ;)

  • Mosh Shaghlak

    So what?

    Hati mn el a5er… :D