Whether you agree with the authors’ views or not, the article is very well-written and discusses a real phenomenon happening in Lebanon. For those who do not have the same opinion, well go ahead and do a better job.

Mounir Asmar, Madison, USA

Writing is constructive, especially for a country whose history book doesn’t cover the last half-century. I personally feel that people should stand up for their views and what they think is right for their country, but it’s perfectly OK to party and have fun along the way. Right?

Mounir Asmar, Madison, USA

For those of you outraged at the criticism, have you actually read the article?

The author ends up saying that nobody has a right to criticise, least of all non-Lebanese.

Sure, there are legitimate points raised, but the author ends up defending the mindset.

Besides, criticism is healthy.

Louis, Beirut, Lebanon

First of all who r u 2 judge these people's lives when u dont know the half of what they have been through. If anything u should be praising them for being able to go about their lives the way they do after all the suffering they have seen. Next time research more carefully before u write ur article

Serena, London,

If what happened in lebanon over the years happens in the uk or the states people will not be going to plastic surgeons or clubing they all will be looking stressed and going to rehab centers and to psycholoists and correct me if I was wrong Alice...I hand it to the lebanese great survivors!!!

Rima, London,

Sorry Alice, but they're not only shallow&empty, they condemn those who refuse to be like them. Not to mention that not only they don't read, have no knowledge, but also have the audacity to argue!They dont work and have a Srilankese "housemaid"!Lebanese!! Read "Pity the Nation" from Gibran

Joumana Gebara, Ain saade, Lebanon

Sandra from Beirut, i totally agree with u!!!! How dare you generalize??You just came for a visit. Have you ever lived there? What does cheering for Mika have to do anything related to the above things you have mentioned? so now we're not allowed to enjoy ourselves?wev been morning for 3 years now!

mays , Dubai ,

Alice article is putting the finger on the wound If Lebanese accept to blame themselves about the problems & refuse to be sheep for the leaders Lebanon might again be called The Paris of the Middle East We are successful and innovative community outside Lebanon why can't we be inside

Salim-Montreal

Salim, Montreal, Canada

Lovely article, Alice. Few have been able to balance the extremes at play in Lebanon the way you did. I gave up a quiet London life for that "intoxicating melting pot" but the few periods of joy we get between bouts of tension are each worth a lifetime. Superficial? Indeed, but not in this context.

Ramsey Naja, Beirut,

Alice,
Don't we call that stereotyping? you have reflected the image of 20% of the Lebanese, did you have the chance and time to see the other 80%?
Most of the people you saw in the nightclubs are Lebanese immigrants who are top executives working around the world and enjoying their vacation.

Ibrahim Choueiry, Dubai, UAE

I predict from the last paragraph that Alice Fordham will have a successful career in peace building. All our cosmetic surgeries have made us too dumb to realize that a good talk, followed by a good collective hug, would solve all our problems! Was Aug 15 a slow news day? Gotta love Orientalism!

Nadia Houri, Beirut & Montreal, Canada

We did EVERYTHING to make our voice heard on Martyr's square. Now was the time to cheer for a successful Lebanese singer in the heart of Beirut.
Ur criticizin plastic surgery? ur country's own invention? haha, pretty ironic! Oh, & is it by magic that all those US celebrities keep lookin younger?

Sandra, Beirut,

Lebanon has so much passion it is palatable! Vibrant and sincere dedication to perseverence in spite of peril is evident in its religions,food,traditions and its desire to embrace life in all its botoxed beauty and other unique expressions of self. Allow it to begin its redefinition toward peace!

Rob Miketa, Brussels, Belgium

Hello Alice

When I got married I never thought what the words, "for better for worse" might entail. I have witnessed killings, bombings, suffered death threats, cried with mourning relatives, but ultimately raised four beautiful, sane children. Life has to go on. You visited, we live.

Yvonne Stead Nasr, Beirut, Lebanon

If Lebanese didn't try to have fun they would commit suicide with all the problems inside and inflicted upon from the west and east and all countries making profits out of countries like beautiful Lebanon.

tania, london, uk

Lebanon is really one the best and most beautiful countries in the world , and for those who don't know about this amazing country , they are really missing some incredible beauty sites , and an amazing lifestyle.......

Ghady, Beirut, Lebanon

Forty two years ago, Lebanon was exactly as it is described in this article. The arrogance, corruption, self-absorption, and westward outlook of the wealthy elements is precisely what led to the civil war. Living in a state of denial is not cute or appealing, and does nothing to heal Lebanon.

Michelle King, Houston, USA

Lebanon is my life. Christians, Jews and Muslims we live together in Lebanon in Beirut. Lebanon is not a terrorist country. Lebanon has always been pro-west.

Chris Antoine Beiruti, Beirut, Lebanon

I love Lebanon my country cause it is the country of contradiction. If Lebanon is not like this, Lebanese people will not be motivated to built new life for the future.
Beirut one day will be back and called Paris of the Middle East. All what Lebanon need is the Peace with his neighbor.

Mark Sawaya, Montreal, Canada