hugmenot
Its ok for girls to walk together, hand-in-hand, as an expression of their friendship. They can hug, snuggle up to each other, and peck each other’s cheek affectionately to their hearts’ extent. But when guys do it, suddenly someone cries out “welcome to the new age!”
Strangely though, the same taboo ceases to exist in mosques.
Suddenly, every man wants to hug his fellow man, sweaty beards lapping against your cheeks, one side after another. And handshakes seem to last forever as they look deep into your eyes with an alarming smile etched across their face.
This instant intimacy is not for everyone. It certainly is not for me, I like to know the other person well before I even begin to consider hugging him. And a learned friend says, upon detecting my unhuggledness, the sunnah is just to shake hands and give salam. But he went on and hugged me anyway. Habits die hard.
Anyway, even in hugging, there is diversity. Most of us from the Malaysian Peninsular (among the men) would recognize the almost but not quite pecks on the cheek, right,left, then right again; with the tip of the nose oh-so-gently grazing the cheek of the hugee, with many accompanying pats on the back. Some pat rhythmically with each pecking movement.
Another type is when the two participants lumber towards each other, each taking the alternate side of course, like two logs swaying, with hands placed firmly on the arms. This too is done in the right,left, right pattern.
Then there is also the ‘no doubt about it’ hug, made in a similar fashion with the first type of hug mentioned, with only one discernable difference. These hugs involve noses pressed firmly into the recipient’s cheeks, and in some cases might involve actual kissing with lips (on the cheeks ya!). Favored by makcik types and swarthy sheiks.
And don’t forget the ‘European’! Again, very,very similar to the first kind, except now no actual skin meets, and hands are placed at the other’s shoulders instead of the back. In lieu of pecks, audible air-kisses are given, with the distinctive ‘mwah mwah’ sound. Again, right left right. Usually employed by richer (and considerably sparklier) makcik types and males who like bright coloured clothing.
Those are the few types I know, I’m sure there are plenty more out there, which I don’t intend on discovering.
2 comments:
Sheik hug inner thoughts: I knew you had couscous for lunch!
Makcik hug inner thoughts: a quick trip to the mall's perfume department.
Peer hug inner thoughts: Staying overseas ain't no reason to skip baths!
Interestin' post. I used to scorn the way the French air kiss - two pecks, not necessarily touching. Muah muah. Or rather, yuck yuck.
And then I went overseas. An' they all did it. Only three times. Muah muah muah.
Only it's less yucky, mind. Because to me, it became a sign of acceptance. "Yes yes, love you too, unspoken an' all that."
Brill stuff, hugs are. Sort of like telepathy, only accompanied with physical niceties. Hopelessly European. Hopelessly Arab. Hopelessly luvly.
The first Anon was right on the money, but. Smelling gets taken to a whole new level, it does. And there's technique to it too, mind. The glamour queens sort of imagine this air barrier between their faces, the way they get at it, around instead of at. Turks touch cheeks twice. Aunts grab hold of your chubbers and affectionately do the mouth vacuum.
It's all lovely stuff, like I said. Brings out the sentimental in you. Just you wait.
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