Interesting discussion.
Just a few things I wanted to point out:
The shaking hands with your right hands. I've never heard the swords explanation, but it makes sense. The explanation I've always heard turns out... after a little research
... to be more of a cultural custom. I found this
site described the reason I recalled.
Right hand/left hand: In most Arab countries, the left hand is considered "unclean" and is not put forward (an important thing for al "south-paws" to know.) The left hand earned this interesting epithet in the harsh desert, a land of few trees and no paper. It was the custom to eat, shake hands, wave a greeting, all with the right hand while the left hand was reserved for certain "hygienic functions" or blowing the nose. (The left hand was cleaned by rubbing in the sand). For some desert nomads, this is still the way of things. Traditionally at meals the left hand is kept hidden in the folds of the robe.
Today it is extremely impolite to offer the left hand for a hand shake or to wave a greeting as this implies rubbing the "unhygienic residue" of the left hand on the person being waved to. Similarly, it is impolite to pass food or eat with the left hand. When eating and drinking, use your right hand. Use your right hand also when you pass, offer or receive anything. As an interesting note, throughout the tales of the "1,000 and One Arabian Nights" enemies are referred to as "They of the Left Hand."
This may be true of other cultures too.
/me looks at the clock...
Yup, I used my whole break catching up on this and posting.
*sigh* Oh well.
Sara (who's back to work where she carries trays with her left arm like an oddball
)
