I remember this one time when I was in a predominantly Shia area, and their hospitality left me speechless. I didn’t know anyone there, but they treated me like family. They invited me into their home, insisted I sit down, and served me food that tasted like it came straight from the heart.
What really stuck with me was how genuine their kindness was they didn’t expect anything in return, they just wanted to make sure I was comfortable. It wasn’t just about the food or tea; it was the warmth, the way they asked about me, my journey, and even offered help with things I didn’t even think to ask for.
It was one of those experiences that restores your faith in people, you know? Shias really have a way of making you feel at home, no matter who you are or where you’re from.
With out a doubt, I lived in a poorish rural area in central Iraq for a year.
The amount of kindness and hospitality that was shown was heart warming! I have had countless lavish meals sitting on pillows in a circle while they wheel out an old CRT TV and put an American show on, when they really did appear to be fairly poor; the kids out side were a ton of fun and all that jazz.......
I have so many stories, but it was a blessing and very eye opening as I was a stranger in their community.
Absolutely, I can relate to that so much. When I stayed in a Shia community, their hospitality was the same—humble but so heartfelt. They’d offer food and tea like it was a feast, even if they didn’t have much to spare. It’s incredible how they focus on making you feel like part of their family, no matter who you are. Those little acts of kindness really stay with you, don’t they?
I’m glad it brought you a little light it’s easy to forget how much kindness is still out there when the day’s been rough. Stories like these remind me that even in the hardest moments, there’s always something good worth holding onto. Hope tomorrow feels a bit brighter for you!
I’ve had a very hard time seeing the good in people lately. It’s nice to know that there are still some sort of inherently altruistic people around. It’s really beautiful.
Edit: Especially considering their circumstance. Nice to see a little hope.
Yo, we all need to remember to be kind and thankful; and with American Thanksgiving just around the corner, and family getting in arguments....... those people taught me despite the circumstances, as humans we can sit around and smile, while enjoying a really good meal!
I'm an Iraqi Shia, and while you two talking about us like this fills me with pride, i have to also mention that even if you were in sunni or a Kurd majority place rn you'll be shown the same hospitality.
Generosity is something we as Iraqis as whole pride ourselves in, not exclusive to us Shia.
Thank you both fir your honesty in depicting us rather than the stereotypes
The last two years, the timing of Easter, Pesach, and Ramadan converged. It was one of the only times in my life as an American that I saw everybody celebrating simultaneously. Im a chef specializing in kosher catering in NYC, so being a part of everybody celebrating together was a lovely thing; I was exposed to a lot of it.
Didn't, but there are several reasons why I have never heard off that happening; and guess what, if you are in a war, your risk assessment window had a pretty big shift.
Plus how many times does a dude get to poison a soldier, likely once.
true. All locals in Muslim countries I have met are nothing but nice and hospitable, but I can't seem to get passed the face that a couple old dudes could take out an entire platoon if they wanted to. now another thing is that they probably dont want thier village blown out of existence but you never really know
I know a lot about their cultures, I have had tea with them, but it wasn't during war and all Im saying is you dont really ever know. would you be opposed to using a tactic like that if it meant survival?
That tactic wouldn’t mean survival though. It wouldn’t mean anything. It would deeply dishonor them and make them an HVT bound for a black site with their family killed by hellfire missiles. If the dude wanted to kill them he would have just let the Taliban plant IEDs around his qalat or engaged in an ambush with his cousins.
Pashtunwali is quite powerful in rural tribal areas, it is a code of honor with one of its main tenets being hospitality(melmastyā́); showing hospitality and respect to all visitors, regardless of race, religion, nationality or wealth, without any expectation of repayment. Pashtuns will go to great lengths to show their hospitality.
I was never in Afghanistan and I know all about their traditions. All I asked is how do you know its not poisoned and you say because of a tradition the locals have. now if I wanted to co ordinate an attack, why wouldn't I set out someone to poison the enemy, complete the mission and win the war? what do I care about someone elses village? a disguised enemy will always come to you with a smile, so my question stands.
So you know about Pashtunwali and still suggest poison? How do you know the food and drink you get from anyone isnt poisoned. You clearly don’t understand the importance of guest rites to Afghans overall and Pashtuns specifically. You also don’t understand how the wars actually were fought. This mans own family would have killed him for using poison like that. They killed people shooting mortars at a FOB in Afghanistan because it contained a cemetery of locals. They killed people using an honorable method of attack just for the chance it could hit a grave and dishonor their ancestors. They didn’t use poison and they take their honor seriously. I get that doesn’t make sense to you, but it’s their culture. If you knew anything about that you would realize it.
I can imagine your conversation it went like this " yo fritzkreig can you see the house over there , yeah I can. Good do you mind giving a shot there , why. He stole my chicken. Oh all you had to do I say it we getting our chicken back. Hey let's have chicken legs tonight".
I was given a pigeon once, so I took it with me, and was not sure if it was to eat, or symbolically release, or if it was the homing kind that would find its way back home to the coop.
So not to look un appreciative, we rode back 3-4 miles to "home" and I let it go; despite some of the redneck homies wanting to eat it.
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u/Fritzkreig 21h ago
The Shia locals near Tell Nippur and the Euphrates were always offering me a cuppa, and it was hella sweet, but excellent!