When in Rome _ { Reflections Redeemed}

 

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Idioms of Social Behavior

In English, there is an idiom or saying: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

In Arabic, there is another saying that might be partially comparable: “Eat what you like, but dress as others like.”

Both sayings carry wisdom about how to act in front of others. However, the Arabic saying highlights more explicitly the idea of adjusting behavior when people are around.

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The Arabic Idiom and Its Implications

Breaking down the Arabic idiom, we find a message about conformity: acting like others negates the self, yet it offers the reward of joining the group rather than being a lone wolf. Still, within every person lies an individualistic side that sometimes seeks to be nurtured.

This creates a kind of dichotomy. The idiom seems to cultivate a form of hypocrisy—there are times when one has the luxury of being authentic, but there are also choices that are best made within the rules of the group.

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Cuisine vs. Clothing

The examples in the idiom are telling. According to the saying, cuisine is very personal; what you eat won’t hurt anyone or invade another’s space. Clothing, however, is a shared social marker. It is visible in the collective space and can disturb or disrupt the harmony of the group.

Thus, the idiom suggests a separation between personal rights (what you eat) and group rights (how you dress).

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Beyond the Idiom

Of course, life and rights are not always as simple as this idiom suggests. Some people might find someone annoying even if their dress fits the collective code. Others might be bothered by what you eat rather than what you wear.

This shows that social interactions often exceed the neat wisdom captured in idioms. Still, idioms exist as cultural capsules—passing down lessons that were useful to someone, or even to an entire community, in a particular time and place.