Marriage Meeting (?!)

You remember the English language-challenged-Jordanian-colleague who was able to coherently express a desire to match me with someone he knows. I thought I dodged this strange and uncomfortable situation by feigning ignorance of his intentions. Well, I have found that Middle Easterners are nothing if not persistent; it's like cultural. My colleague has brought the issue up again, but with, I guess, a better strategy.

He asked for my number (previously, he gave me his number and directed me to call him - which I did not). He also secured knowledge of my available time. In response to his query about what I would be doing Friday - the holy day - I said I would be going to church. He did not seem to understand the word "church". When he brought up the marriage topic asking again if an Arab is acceptable as a marriage partner, I tried to be more direct. I said that, of course, I have no objections to Arab men, but I am a Christian. He said that my being a Christian is "no problem" (popular phrase). I laughed uproariously (seriously, I threw my head back and everything), and said to him that he is very funny (he did not seem to get the humor).

Anyway, my colleague is coming to meet me at my hotel apartment (in the lobby people, calm down). I fear he may bring the spousal candidate, and that my agreeing to meet may be considered tacit acceptance of the suggestion of marriage. The point is, if I come up missing, start looking in Amman.

Jeeeesus!