What 'shoe tossing' means in the Arab world
On Sunday, an Iraqi news reporter threw a shoe at President Bush during a press conference in Baghdad. The tosser was promptly arrested.On Monday, there have been protests throughout the Arab world demanding that the shoe tosser be released.
It's important to note what shoe-tossing symbolizes in the Arab world. It may be the ultimate sign of contempt.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:44 PM
2 Comments:
In the early days of this useless war, I saw footage of American G.I.'s entering an Iraqi village and the locals greeting them. I knew we were doomed when the G.I.'s remarked that everyone in the village was giving them the "thumb's up" sign.
Why did no media report that in the Middle East, the "thumb's up" is equivalent to the middle finger being extended in the US?
I consider that a sign of contempt, too.
I thought it meant the guy saw a cockroach and was trying to kill it. My mistake.
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