Love Is Blind: Habibi

Unbelievable cultural differences in this version of Love Is Blind Habibi. Only saw 2 episodes so far ( so not considering this a spoiler but a precursor for a messy season to come) I predict the first couple matched won't last - we will see. Let's just say the man was way too controlling by moving way too fast making a "claim" on "his" woman to the "bros" that he has known for exactly 1 day (RED FLAG!) and telling them to cancel their date (if she picks them). Then the other guy who also likes her backs down out of "loyalty" to his bro? The whole concept goes down the tubes immediately - this is not about making friends or "loyal bros" but finding the best love connection. Which brings to the next point-the girl he claims clearly tells him she loves to dance from the beginning and he tells her "I don't like that" right from the get-go (RedFlag!). Then he moves fast and proposes (RED FLAG!), so she lets him know this and she succumbs to his pushing w/o insisting to see HER other date pick first! One note abt the show is that despite all the different regions and backgrounds, everyone speaks great English with no noticeable accents and whoever taught them did a great job.

Many of the reviews for Love is Blind: Habibi begin with commenters claiming to understand the culture, only to then give it a low rating due to how they perceive the men's behavior or how they feel the women are being treated. While it's easy to apply a Western lens, it's essential to truly grasp the Middle Eastern cultural context before making such judgments.

Yes, the women in this series are strong, independent, and capable-there is no doubt about that. But understanding their strength within the framework of Middle Eastern culture is key. In these cultures, women often seek partners who deeply respect their faith, their families, and the traditions they uphold. It's a misconception to think that their independence is somehow diminished because they value a partner who respects the same beliefs. For example, respecting parental input in their romantic choices isn't about submission-it's about honoring family, a central pillar of many Middle Eastern households.

What many reviewers overlook is the importance of cultural norms embedded in the show, like placing God and family at the heart of decision-making. Unlike other Love is Blind versions where it's primarily about the individuals, Love is Blind: Habibi beautifully demonstrates how love is shaped by family blessings and faith. In many Western versions of the show, families meet the partners but don't hold much influence over the final decision. Here, we see how vital it is to secure not only personal compatibility but also the approval and blessings of loved ones-something deeply valued in Middle Eastern and Muslim cultures.

I personally found the series to be an excellent window into Middle Eastern and Muslim life, especially for viewers unfamiliar with the nuances of these traditions. Yes, some of the men have strong, culturally-rooted views that may not align with Western ideals. And yes, the women-who are fiercely independent-are looking for a partner who understands and respects their culture, values, and beliefs.

However, I give it a 9 out of 10 due to the language barrier issue throughout the series. Several different languages were spoken, including French, which caused confusion among some of the couples who didn't fully understand one another. I wish there had been stricter rules requiring participants to speak their native languages and English to avoid these misunderstandings.

That aside, Love is Blind means different things in different parts of the world. It's not just about individuals, but also about families, faith, and the values that hold them together. That's what makes Love is Blind: Habibi stand out. If you approach it with an open mind, you'll find a rich cultural experience that speaks volumes about love, family, and faith in the Middle Eastern world.

If these men are representative of Arab men, I would advise any sane woman to keep their distance.

I found the men on the show to be aggressive and entitled, often belittling women. One even stated that his wife should put her life in second place after his. Some justified their behaviour by saying, "that's how I was raised." The borderline jealousy they displayed is alarming.

They exhibit traits of unchecked anger, disrespect toward others, and controlling behaviour towards women, coupled with an inflated ego. They frequently spoke about God, but their actions didn't align with their words.

To be honest, this is not the best Love Is Blind Edition I've seen. I watched until the end because of the brand.

I can understand that cultures are different, but it still gives a very bad representation of what a woman is and should be. Between jealousy, egocentrism, support between men, some hatred between women, no real conversation or confrontation of ideas. The combination was not great.

Also, the modesty demonstrated by the couples is respectable, however it prevents the viewer from becoming attached to them and believing in their relationship. This is still understandable from a cultural perspective.

I still salute the very classy and extremely smart dancer as well as the fact that this edition brought a different tone and allowed us to know other traditions.

I love the fact it's so different from other LIB shows. Mostly the fact that their isn't a lot of sexual innuendos. You didn't see any of the girls in their bathing suits while on vacation. They focused more on them as actual people versus just the sexual tension that may have existed between them. I wish the American version of LIB was handled similarly. I know it's because of cultural reasons that they did this, but I liked it.

As for the chauvinist men, that was an interesting watch. I'd love for those guys to come to America and act that way. The women here would throw their drinks in their face. American women, as a whole, wouldn't put up with their archaic beliefs.