10-04-2003 01:00									#1
	Beating with the sole of their shoes... Increase Your PM Length

I've been watching [flameguard] FoxNews [/flameguard] and I've been seeing lots of video of Iraqi citizens beating puctures of Saddam with the soles of their shoes. One of the correspondents said it was a very high insult in that area of the world.

so i have some questions:

1. Does anyone have a history of this practice? Can anyone explain exactly what it means (symbolically?)

2. Is this an Iraqi thing, or a Pan-Arabic symbol?

3. What do your regions have in terms of such symboism?

	10-04-2003 01:40									#2
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I think it's an Islamic thing, but I could be wrong.

You know how Muslims remove their footwear before entering a Mosque? It's because the soles of shoes are considered especially dirty (if you think about it, they have a point) and thus it's respectful not to wear them inside.

Hence, striking someone with the sole of a shoe is kinda like rubbing their face in ****.

As I am by no means an expert on ME customs or Islam, I really hope I'm not completely, hopelessly, wrong.[/disclaimer]

-Arrian

	10-04-2003 07:42									#3
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Yeah I think that's it.

You're not supposed to show the soles of your shoes either it's considered highly offensive.

	10-04-2003 07:59									#4
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if the coalition really wanted to piss off the arab world they could just drop giant 2000lb shoes

	10-04-2003 08:27									#5
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Just checking out the feed from Iraq, it is almost funny how many American flags they have.. were they hiding them under sofas .. or did someone bring extra flags with them? nice one

	10-04-2003 08:29									#6
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Guess that would explain Richard Reid the shoe bomber.He was trying to kill and insult at the same time.

	10-04-2003 10:24									#7
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In NY, we usually flash the birdie. It means to go **** off.