Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Politics for Morons – Thread Moron Political Annex -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: longnshort who wrote (245)	7/5/2005 12:47:00 PM
From: one_less	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 326

"The Senate said the meeting with the 12-strong delegation had been called off because of the "continued refusal" of Ms Lizin's counterpart to shake her hand." Ignorance and cultural insensitivity wins the day again. It is really stupid for an Islamic man to stand in front of a woman who is holding out her hand in a gesture of welcome, and refuse the handshake. I have seen the same thing here in the US. If they know they will be involved in such an introduction there are ways to avoid the discomfort of pulling one self away from an offer to shake hands (which can only be interpreted as an insult by non-Islamic women). The refusal comes from Islamic teachings that make it a sin for a man to put his hand on a woman who is not part of his household (wife, daughter, mother, sister). It is considered a violation of her modesty. If this information was provided to Ms Lizin, then is no reason for Ms Lizin to feel disrespected by this conduct, as it is founded on the opposite (a sign of respect). It would be an act of ignorance and bigotry for her to insist on this type of greeting (if she knows that it compromises the religion of these men) as there are many other ways to carry on introductions in a respectful and welcoming manner. On the other hand it would be stupid of the men to just show up and expect everyone to get it. Seems like the alcohol thing ought to be easy to work out as well. Usually when there is mixed company of drinkers and T-totalers the bar is scheduled as an optional activity to follow the event.