When I was assigned to the U S Embassy in Jeddah almost 30 years ago, a senior diplomat once remarked to me at an embassy reception that the crossed swords in front of the palm meant “cross my palm or I’ll cut off your hand.”
Yup, “Baksheesh” is the business fee of the Near East.
Our “expediter” was paid a handsome amount to “help” the procurement of everything from hardware to airline tickets.