‘il-khishaash ytiih w-lbisr yt’alleg
The unripe dates fall off and the good dates remain clinging
‘al-khishaash is a weak and rotten date that falls off the palm tree before it reaches maturation and ‘albisr is the healthy date fruit before it ripens.
The proverb is said to indicate that performing good deeds will forever be remembered, while spreading evil will lead to failure. Furthermore, good persons are not easily tempted to deviate from the right path but evil ones will eventually stumble and fall.
This proverb is also chanted in a popular game practised across the UAE by young children. A group of kids hold hands and start moving in a circle, pulling their friends with strength until one falls down and thus breaks the circle, at which point he or she leaves the game. The game continues until only two players remain and the referee announces the winner from the two players.
l-ism shaayi’ w-l batin yaayi’
The name is famous (but) the stomach is empty
This proverb is said to anyone who boasts of their wealth when, in reality, they are poor and helpless. It can also be said of people who bear honourable names but whose personal character does not live up to such an honour.
The following proverb has the same meaning: ‘ishiifa shiifa wil-ma’aani the’iifa, which means “Looking good from outside, weak from inside.”
People also say a similar proverb: yshuuf ‘in-nakhl w-la yidrii bid-dakhl, which means “He sees the [many] palm trees but is unaware of the income.”
This proverb urges someone not to assume that the owner of palm trees is the richest and luckiest since he could be the poorest if his palm trees do not produce fruitful dates.
ya ghariib kuun a’diib
O’ stranger! Be polite!
This proverb urges a stranger to behave and act politely. People also say: kill daar A’eT-ha dellha wella ‘akhyar sir w-khellha, “Give each country [you visit] its share of respect, otherwise, walk away and leave it.”
In the UAE, the word ‘ar-rasm’ means “tradition,” and the Emirati people highly value their customs and values. They say, gaT’ likhshuum w-la tark ‘irrsuum, which when translated means, “Rather cut the nose than abandon the customs.”
