Leg-Crossing Swedish Ambassador Angers Iran

The Local ^ | 8 Dec 12

[nickcarraway]

Sweden's newly appointed ambassador in Tehran has reportedly upset Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - by crossing his legs during a meeting.

According to Iranian website Asriran.com the Swedish ambassador, Peter Tejler, committed the apparently offensive act after a ceremony in which he presented his credentials to the president.

It is unclear, though, whether the president himself was offended by the ambassador's cross-legged pose or whether this was, in fact, the interpretation of events by Asriran.com. Photos from the meeting show Ahmadinejad himself sitting cross-legged, too.

Armenian website Panorama translated the Iranian website's report, which explains that crossing one's legs "contradicts international diplomatic norms".

The report continues: "Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, for his part, himself crossed his legs in response to the impoliteness of his interlocutor."

Photographs from the meeting indeed show Tejler sitting cross-legged, his right foot pointing slightly upwards.

The Atlantic Wire has published this explanation, from the University of West Florida, of why it is a taboo in Muslim culture to show the soles of one's feet.

"Pointing the soles of the feet towards someone is impolite because the soles of the feet (shoe) are considered dirty, closest to the ground, closer to the devil and farther away from God. When in the presence of Muslims, be careful not to raise or cross your legs in such a way that the sole of the foot faces others in the room."

The website of the Swedish Embassy in Tehran confirms that the ceremony and meeting took place in on December 3rd but has no mention of the ambassador's and the president's sitting poses.

[Slings and Arrows]

If crossed legs aren’t appreciated, cross-hairs can be provided.

[Hegemony Cricket]

So a “Chuck Norris” roundhouse to the head would be somewhat offensive too?

[rfp1234]

...the soles of the feet (shoe) are considered dirty, closest to the ground, closer to the devil and farther away from God.

So when they build underground nuclear facilities, are they not even closer to the devil and farther away from God?

Likewise, shooting a rocket in the air should be interpreted as an insult to God and an invasion of his territory.

[unixfox]

I have a problem with people who don’t take baths. Call me crazy.

[rfp1234]

Come to think of it, Muslims should halt all construction of buildings everywhere. In order to build a foundation, you're forced to burrow into the ground, therefore closer to hell. A true believer should only live in a tent.

[bigbob]

and I came to this thread expecting to see that pic!

[Batman11]

Yet, our fing government lets that a-hole I’madinnerjacket, our enemy, come to our country, breath our air, eat our food and stay in our hotels! I don’ think I can take much more of this crap! This country, and this world we live in, are really screwed up. I am starting to wish that I was older, so I don’t have stick around to see how this all turns out!

[mrsmith]

And I thought the Ottomans were muslim...

[basil]

Ain’t it the truff!

[shibumi]

"Pointing the soles of the feet towards someone is impolite because the soles of the feet (shoe) are considered dirty, closest to the ground, closer to the devil and farther away from God."

Ooookay. If that's true, then why do these freaks bury their heads on the ground (and in each other's butts) every chance they get?

[TigersEye]

"When in the presence of Muslims, be careful not to raise or cross your legs in such a way that the sole of the foot faces others in the room."

Good to know. Build all the cells for holding them with the soles of shoes on the walls, floor and ceiling.

[Slings and Arrows]

Ooookay. If that's true, then why do these freaks bury their heads on the ground (and in each other's butts) every chance they get?

Logical consistency is an infidel plot!

[shibumi]

The Joooze did it!

[Graybeard58]

I’m offended by people with beards,first thing I think is LAZY DIRT BAG

I'll plead guilty to the "lazy" part.

[Shadowstrike]

If it’s offensive if feet are closer to the ground and are closer to the Devil, then why is it they have their faces on the GROUND, and their a**es pointed toward Heaven?

Tells you who they’re praying to doesn’t it?

[Conservative4Ever]

My thought exactly. They can just get glad again.

[AnalogReigns]

Genesis 16:12 "He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”

Always angry about something.

(except of course, Iranians are Persians, with no relation to Arabs, the descendants of Ishmael--except for being Muslims.)

[tdscpa]

The next time I see “I’m a gonna need a dinner jacket”, I’m going to moon him.

[Right Wing Assault]

Do they mind if you pick your nose while talking to them? Or is that considered an honor? You never can tell with these loons.