Had read an article regarding the same customs in Afghanistan a few years ago at frontpagemag.com. Even saw something on Globetrekker, of all places. The host was in middle east and talking to some young men. Host asked why middle eastern men are so 'friendly' with each other-hugging, holding hands, kissing. Young men basically said they 'practice' on each other and keeps them 'pure' for marriage to a woman.
Thanks for the ping-I think!
Yes, I saw that too. That Globetrekker fellow can be disgusting and vulgar (don't watch him eating), but he tells, or at least insinuates it like it is.
Our family befriended a young Egyptian fellow years ago, a handsome, apparently well-bred, polite, pleasant guy, about 22. He was kind enough to keep our cat while we vacationed, and when I went to his place to pick up said feline, another man was just leaving, zipping his pants. Who knew?
When we went into Afghanistan, there were several FR threads on the Pashtun (Pushtun) tribe delineating their disgusting ways. Will Democracy change them?