If you have ever traveled in the Middle East, you'll immediately notice something unusual by our standards....many men hold hands in public. I have traveled to the Middle East a couple of times in the '90s and was struck by this practice at the time. I figured since it was considered shameful to touch a woman in public (even to shake her hand in greeting) the men fill the human need for contact with each other. The pictures of Bush holding hands with the Saudi king caused quite an uproar on the blogs but men holding hands in public is apparently a sign of friendship and respect in the Arab world.
Here is a handy-dandy video that explains the custom more fully. Incidentally, the shopkeepers in the souks of Damascus are delightful. We couldn't walk 10 yards without one of them stepping out and asking us to come inside for tea.
This has been your occasional dose of cultural information concerning countries we have bombed or will bomb in future. This has been a public service announcement. Please go about your day.