Arabs do it, I find it delightful to see such gestures exchanged. Its not really a kiss on the cheek, there is no lip to cheek contact but cheek to cheek and a nice hug. Having arab friends I’ve grown accustomed to such gestures.
Recently I noticed most guys (here in N. America) of our culture don’t give a hardy hug anymore. Do they find it homosexual? Are they not intact with their masculinity?
I find it funny to see such behaviour in the West as opposed to Pakistan if you don’t give a big ol’ hug its considered rude.
During Eid I’ve noticed the hug has evolved into a mime of a hug where scents are exchanged rather than a big good old fashioned brotherly hug.
lol Coco. An un-necessary hug from someone is always like eww ... really. Its such common practice in Lahore. Whenever friends meet, be it like 3 times a day, they MUST hug. I mean why not just a proper manly handsake? Why bump into each other, again and again? If anyone from the West was to visit my undergrad uni in Lahore, they would surely take it as a gay only institute.
Oh and by the way ... I wonder now how this hugging became such a part of our religious culture and our society. I have said namaz-e-eid in the imaamat of a maulvi saab, who specifically prohibits hugging in the lieu of eid mubarak. It becomes such a funny scene when after the namaz, the first-timers there grab each other, only to let go a few seconds later, albeit a bit embarassingly, realizing this the wrong place for such man-handling.
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Originally posted by Scratch:
An un-necessary hug from someone is always like eww ... really. Its such common practice in Lahore. Whenever friends meet, be it like 3 times a day, they MUST hug. I was only suggesting once when you meet not a must :p
I mean why not just a proper manly handsake? why not a brotherly hug? handshakes are formal but hugs really break the ice
Why bump into each other, again and again? If anyone from the West was to visit my undergrad uni in Lahore, they would surely take it as a gay only institute. Agreed
Oh and by the way ... I wonder now how this hugging became such a part of our religious culture and our society. Last time i was in arab/pakistan it was a very big part of our culture and religious culture as well.
I have said namaz-e-eid in the imaamat of a maulvi saab, who specifically prohibits hugging in the lieu of eid mubarak.
I see nothing wrong with it, and its not only with Arabs, I seen this among Khurds, Turks, Italians and so many others. Whats wrong with it, its a friendly gestures.
The women do it and the men do it, its nothing wrong, if you go to any Arab gathering you would see it all the time. I did notice with Pakistanis they don't do anything like that or do they, fill me in, I would like to know.
With my mom and dad's friends its very common. The men hug dad with such force you'd think they hadnt seen eachother in years, although it was just the other day. We are talking pakistani, indian, arab men. The women are usually not as brutal. hehe. I think its fine, I am just not into the wet lips on the cheek.
i find kissing odd but merely because i am not accustomed to it. 2 arabs or italians doing their greeting kiss shudnt bother anyone as we all are well aware of their culture.
as for hugs, i dont mind em! but theres special occasions for hugs. like eids. and then theres the hugs when you’re meeting an old friend or a close one after a long long time. those ones are the back breakers
Kissing do look odd.. specially when there r only men involve .. but hugs.. i think they r absolutely awsome.. good healthy way of showin how u care about the other person.. n u r happy to see em.. Eid with out a hug!!! .. Daym… i think NOT huggin on Eid should b prohibited .. its just really sweat gesture to show u care…
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*Originally posted by PyariCgudia: *
it depends on the type of hug...
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agreed, friendly hug also exist in western society. I was really amazed when the IMAM at one of the mosque in london said after namaz "just shake hands"
anyway people know why they are doing, if people from other cultures thinks it wrong way they need to change that we dont have to follow them cause we know what are we doing.
… i lub women 
.. but hugs.. i think they r absolutely awsome.. good healthy way of showin how u care about the other person.. n u r happy to see em.. Eid with out a hug!!! 
.. Daym… i think NOT huggin on Eid should b prohibited 
.. its just really sweat gesture to show u care… 