[trumandogz]

In arab culture, handholding is something that occurs between equals.

That is interesting. I have spent a considerable amount of time in the Kingdom as well as other Arab States and never walk around hand in hand with my associates. Moreover, when my Arab associates come to the United States, I do not walk around holding their hand.

[AnAmericanMother]

You're not an arab, and neither am I. And neither is Pres. Bush. If you look at the photo, his thumb is in an awkward position, as though the Saudi had grabbed his hand.

The handholding occurs between friends as a general rule. Turks hold hands also.

The point is, it is NOT a gesture of subservience, which the salaam most definitely is.