Posted on 04/25/2005 4:00:28 PM PDT by El Conservador
Thanks for the info.
No they are lovers!
I was curious also, so googled for some info...here it is.
Right hand/left hand: In most Arab countries, the left hand is considered "unclean" and is not put forward (an important thing for al "south-paws" to know.) The left hand earned this interesting epithet in the harsh desert, a land of few trees and no paper. It was the custom to eat, shake hands, wave a greeting, all with the right hand while the left hand was reserved for certain "hygienic functions" or blowing the nose. (The left hand was cleaned by rubbing in the sand). For some desert nomads, this is still the way of things. Traditionally at meals the left hand is kept hidden in the folds of the robe.
Today it is extremely impolite to offer the left hand for a hand shake or to wave a greeting as this implies rubbing the "unhygienic residue" of the left hand on the person being waved to. Similarly, it is impolite to pass food or eat with the left hand. When eating and drinking, use your right hand. Use your right hand also when you pass, offer or receive anything. As an interesting note, throughout the tales of the "1,000 and One Arabian Nights" enemies are referred to as "They of the Left Hand."
Affection in Public: In most Arab countries, holding hands, kissing, walking arm-in-arm, and even flirting between men and women in public (even between husband and wife), is strictly TABOO! In Bahrain such behavior generally results in "dirty looks" from passersby. In some countries within this theater of operations, such behavior can result in arrest and imprisonment.
Conversely, holding hands, kissing, and walking arm-in-arm, between Arab men, is considered perfectly acceptable behavior. While there may be "something more" to it, such activities are generally little more than signs of friendship (much as the kiss on the cheek in France.)
Thanks for researching and letting us know.
"Nice dress, Abbey."
-PJ
Yeah ..like there are NO sodomites in Saudi Arabia
Bwahahahahahahaa
talk to a few US oil workers who have worked among them sometime...
It's like that old joke...
How do you separate the men from the boys in Saudi Arabia?
WITH CROWBARS....
"Today it is extremely impolite to offer the left hand for a hand shake or to wave a greeting as this implies rubbing the "unhygienic residue" of the left hand on the person being waved to."
In that case, my caption contribution would be:
Our left-hand to you bud!
"That better be your hand, Bub..."
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When driving around Baghdad I always waved with my left hand, because I had my 9MM in my right hand.
The day I left Viet Nam in 1972, the 269 Brigade Commander (full Colonel)of the Vietnamese Marines took me to the helicopter. I had been there for only four months (as a 1st Lt in First ANGLICO), providing his command with naval gunfire support. He took my hand and held it as we walked to the Huey. Uncomfortable? Yes. But when he said "thank you for helping to save my country," it didn't matter anymore.
I could sense Dubya's discomfiture as I watched him today.
Semper Fidelis,
It doesn't always work but in this case you would've found Caption Bush and Abdullah holding hands from this afternoon.
(Keep Your Friends Close... Your Enemies Closer.)
Given this administration's record on relations with the Saudis
....I am relieved they are only holding hands...
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