Since I started this newspaper, I have had countless business transactions with Arab Americans. For the most part, I have no cause to complain. There have been, however, several occasions when I have found myself a minute away from being the victim of ... (SOUND EFFECT: DA DA DA)... Arabic Business Practices.

Some of you, at this point, are nodding your heads because you know exactly what I'm talking about. You, too, have found yourself on the phone, screaming at someone who has decided that they don't have to honor the contract, verbal or written, that was agreed upon. You, too, have found yourself in complete disbelief because a client has simply decided not to pay you.

Recently, I purchased a used car. I was told by the dealer (and owner of the business), that there was nothing wrong with the car. He laughed when I said I wanted a mechanic to look over the car anyway, as if doing so was going to be a waste of my time because, "The car is in perfect condition." I gave a down payment, and a post-dated check that was to be cashed after the mechanic gave the car the green light.

The mechanic did not give a green light. The mechanic gave me an estimate for $800, minimum.

"Don't worry, habibi, it's covered by the warranty," claimed the owner.

None of the repairs were covered by the warranty. The phone exchange that transpired between myself and this ... businessman ... involved him threatening to shoot me. The rest of the conversation is simply not fit for publication in a community newspaper. It took a phone call from my attorney threatening legal action before the situation was resolved.

On more than one occasion, I have thought to write an article about this issue. I have even discussed it with clients. Sadly, each of these clients has said the same thing: "I prefer doing business with Americans. You cannot trust Arabs."

Why?

"Americans lay their cards on the table. If you make an agreement with them, more often than not, they abide by it."

"Americans don't haggle. They don't waste my time. If this is the price, they pay the price and that's the end of it." "Americans are straightforward. They don't play games. They're honest."

How sad is that? How sad is it that so many Arab Americans have bitter experiences dealing with their fellow Arab Americans?"

How does this sad reality affect the health of our community? It contributes to its deterioration because we cannot trust our community members. It contributes to its fragmentation because this lack of trust makes it virtually impossible to agree or compromise on anything. It contributes to its impotence because, so long as we cannot agree on anything, we can't improve the quality of our community's life. Finally, it contributes to our isolation because as word spreads of these bad business practices, we will be further distrusted and shunned by non-Arab Americans.

This country has been so good to so many of us. It has allowed us the freedom to pursue our dreams in ways that we would not have been able to in our countries of origin. And the way some of us pay back the United States for this privilege is by ripping off its citizens? Are these the positive Arabic values we wish to share with non Arab Americans or pass on to our children? Is this how we shatter stereotypes?

I do not believe for a moment that what I am writing will cause those of you who are guilty of these practices to experience a spiritual awakening, see the error of your ways, and change your stripes.

What I believe is that those of us who have been on the receiving end of these practices ought to be more vocal about it, so as to help others avoid falling into similar traps. Keeping quiet only allows them to prosper further. These snakes are relying on your silence. They assume

their victims will not take legal recourse because back home, legal recourse was not an option and you're not used to having this tool at your disposal.

Those of us who have been on the receiving end of these practices should not allow the snakes to prevent us from supporting Arab American business because there are so many whose practices are honest. We simply need to weed out the losers and the liars.