Outside Pakistan its normally a handshake that is all required with strangers. Has anyone noticed how different it is in Pakistan? Since I am only used to hand shaking but every guy I meet in Pak has his body left in an absurd position after the handshake when he realizes I am not going to *galay milna */ hug him. This is not being rude but more that outside family I am not really used to it. Ocassionally this results in a little shake of the head etc when the other person assumes I am being rude (when I am not)
Pretty pointless topic when you come to think of it but am curious if anyone else has observed this
In northern areas blood relatives and guests must be welcomed in manner of a close hug.
Even between enemies an embrace is not considered bad, however i find that customs south of Islamabad differ with modernists tending to freak out at this idea.
However as a footnote nearly all customs involve a big hug when a fammily member or friend who has been long absent or never seen before.
In such cases just hug back. Body language can be read if the person adjusts thier feet to turn sidewards into you and outstretches one arm then theres more than a handshake in such a movement.
The most shocking thing is in middle east specially in Saudi and Yemeni when 2 men touch noses and a little flying kiss
at first I was well scared thinking every men here is Gay but then my friend told me they are not Gay they greet each other and also smell the breath making sure no alcohol was consumed
OMG! I was SO embarrassed after my first trip to pakistan! I was SO happy, so excited to be marrying my prince.I greeted all my new relatives in the manner that I was raised to do...I gave then each a huge hug and kiss on the cheek....lol!!! I think they were kinda horrified....but SO forgiving lol!!! They cut the gori a bit o' slack! And forever have my sincere gratitude.
^ @ Mamaof3 I’m sure you were not taken badly it’s okay for you to have expressed yourself in that manner… so long as you weren’t too flirtatous with the opposite sex even hard liners like myself would have been okay with that.
@ Clad… i cannot begin to imagine how you felt… reminds me of that time on the border back in…
Mr Udeen, surely I was never flitatious with amyone, even my beloved husband, when I was visitng over there...was just so overwhelmed and overjoyed with the welcomesndthe scenery and the culture...tried my best to fit in with everyone, surely they could see the differences lol...but I did my very best, they appreciated much and so did I.
The fondest memories of my life are the very few days I spent over there.
I am always flirtatious was expecting some nice Arab ladies with a 2 KG makeup on eyes wearing a whole bottle of Oud on tight fashionable abaya instead I saw giant size men with beards touching noses laughing and shouting ....
