Egypt partners with Google to promote 'unmatched diversity' tourism campaign    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Taiwan GDP surges on tech demand    World Bank: Global commodity prices to fall 17% by '26    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    UNFPA Egypt, Bayer sign agreement to promote reproductive health    Egypt to boost marine protection with new tech partnership    France's harmonised inflation eases slightly in April    Eygpt's El-Sherbiny directs new cities to brace for adverse weather    CBE governor meets Beijing delegation to discuss economic, financial cooperation    Egypt's investment authority GAFI hosts forum with China to link business, innovation leaders    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's Gypto Pharma, US Dawa Pharmaceuticals sign strategic alliance    Egypt's Foreign Minister calls new Somali counterpart, reaffirms support    "5,000 Years of Civilizational Dialogue" theme for Korea-Egypt 30th anniversary event    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Angola's Lourenço discuss ties, African security in Cairo talks    Egypt's Al-Mashat urges lower borrowing costs, more debt swaps at UN forum    Two new recycling projects launched in Egypt with EGP 1.7bn investment    Egypt's ambassador to Palestine congratulates Al-Sheikh on new senior state role    Egypt pleads before ICJ over Israel's obligations in occupied Palestine    Sudan conflict, bilateral ties dominate talks between Al-Sisi, Al-Burhan in Cairo    Cairo's Madinaty and Katameya Dunes Golf Courses set to host 2025 Pan Arab Golf Championship from May 7-10    Egypt's Ministry of Health launches trachoma elimination campaign in 7 governorates    EHA explores strategic partnership with Türkiye's Modest Group    Between Women Filmmakers' Caravan opens 5th round of Film Consultancy Programme for Arab filmmakers    Fourth Cairo Photo Week set for May, expanding across 14 Downtown locations    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Ancient military commander's tomb unearthed in Ismailia    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM praises ties with Tanzania    Egypt to host global celebration for Grand Egyptian Museum opening on July 3    Ancient Egyptian royal tomb unearthed in Sohag    Egypt hosts World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup in Somabay for 3rd consecutive year    Egyptian Minister praises Nile Basin consultations, voices GERD concerns    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



COFFEE TALK: Clashes and crashes
Published in Daily News Egypt on 03 - 08 - 2007

"He's become a millionaire! screamed Hani to Waleed.
I looked up from my coffee space out to find a group of young men in the far corner having what seemed to be an argument, so I ordered my first coffee and moved closer to the scene of action.
"La? Waleed said pushing the table back at his friend,
Motioning with his two hands, he said: "I saw it with my own two eyes, the bank statement.
"I so envy him, Waleed said laughing.
"Oh god did you see what my brother did to my car? Lotfy said putting his phone down.
Raising their eyebrows, his friends asked, "What?
"He crashed it, the whole side is ruined.
With a face filled with sorrow, "Ma3lesh ya Lotfy, at least he was spared, said Hani, and hitting him hard on his thigh, he added, "But you're a millionaire now ya Basha.
Hee hee, "So are you Hani in Zim dollars!
Looking around, I found a mother and daughter sitting not too far from me. The mother is your typical businesswoman style, formal attire, glasses, paper in one hand, phone in the other.
"Have something to eat, she ordered, looking up at her daughter, then back at the paper, no smile to complete the "business picture. This all led me to conclude that she was probably a manager, working long hours with sleezy men.
"Ma, I'm bored, and you seem to find what is happening in the world more entertaining than what is happening in your daughter's life, the young timid girl sighed while looking at her mother for some consolation.
Getting no response, the girl got up to go to the toilet.
The weather was so hot outside that just looking out the window was enough to make me feel faint. So I ordered another coffee.
The girl returned and as she sat down, her mother asked, "Maya you were saying something, no?
"Yes Ma, can't we leave, you seem to be busy.
Moving the paper away from her face, she said, "You know dear this is our time together, I have to cancel so many meetings just to spend this time with you, so please if you don't have anything nice to say, just don't say anything.
"But Mum there are things I need to talk to you about, you just don't ever seem to care. Without looking up at her daughter, the woman continued: "Dear, you have your friends for that, call Nada or something after we are done.
A young couple walked in with a pile of wedding, travel and lifestyle magazines.
They sat down next to me. That was when I noticed that they were hot, sweaty and grumpy.
"What will you have?
A newlywed couple I thought to myself.
"I will have an orange juice, she answered while flipping through a magazine of honeymoon spots.
"Look at this; Antigua or how about the Maldives? Lina asked pushing the magazine towards Hazem.
"Lina I told you, I have a surprise for you, and you said you don't like surprises so choose anything I don't really care anymore.
Looking up at Hazem, she replied: "So what is the point of getting married if you don't care about what furniture we choose, or where we go?
"These are details.
Looking at the magazine in front of her she said, "But this is where I have wanted to go forever, that or Africa.
"Listen Lina, why don't we talk about this with your mum, she is easier to talk to, and perhaps we can go to Sharm El-Sheikh, save the money for having a baby.
Slamming the magazine shut, she said: "Who said I want to have a baby right away? "Darling, I am turning 37. I don't want to wait any longer, besides, you love kids.
My phone rang, and I ordered my coffee "to go.


Clic here to read the story from its source.