Born in US (30 minutes near Dearborn) and I am mostly of Italian origins but my mothers side is Polish and Lebanese. To give more context she is only 1/4 Lebanese because her grandfather on her mothers side came to America before Lebanon and Syria were split by the British and French. A girl at work basically told me they were the mayflower Arabs.

My question is because 3/4 of my coworkers are Lebanese Muslims who are quite religious and as much as I respect everyone it’s a bit of a culture shock due to me being gay. I an out and don’t care because it’s a sales job and I get along with everyone and make good money because I get that part Lebanese comes out on the floors.

They do however not look at me as Lebanese but more or less as Italian because I am culturally very white to them. There was a Palestinian girl who told me “you shouldn’t put the Lebanese flag on your Instagram because you’re not” which still irks be but everyone else agreed she a bit of a hater.

I don’t speak arabic but I did grow up eating Lebanese food that was passed down by generations. My mom remembers being at the big weddings were people danced. I just feel wrong denying something that is even a small part of myself.