Shoe throwing is an insult only in Muslim cultures

[chookie]

That's what CNN says.

Boy -- I'm beginning to buy into this "Clash of Civilizations" thing every one is talking about

I studied Comparative Religion, and sure enough, as CNN says, shoe throwing is only an insult to Muslims. In all other religions that have been documented, including some that are categorized as cults, having a shoe thrown at you is a sign of affection, friendship, fellowship, and good feeling. But to have the honor of having a shoe thrown at your face is most wide spread in Western cultures.

This year, Christmas Eve and Hanukkah fall on the same day, and we are having a party that celebrates both. Sorry to vent, but in these hard economic times, I am finding it hard to buy all the shoes I need to throw at the faces of my fellow Catholics, and my Protestant, Jewish, Atheist, Wiccan, etc friends who will be there, and I am afraid that they will think my affection for them is not strong. I may have more shoes thrown at my face than I can afford to throw at others, which will be embarrassing. Anyone else having this dilemma?

</sarcasm>

Holy Mary! Seeing those shoes thrown at the giggling murder monkey was intensely cathartic to me. Best video I've seen since Colbert at the Correspondents Dinner.

I wonder if Homeland Security is going to make us all go barefoot for national security? But given that the Titanic already hit the iceberg, and there's not enough lifeboats to save all of us, this latest edict for our own good will come on its own for those whose shoes have worn out, or people who tried to eat their shoes. Florida (where I was from before my exile) - this may not be a big deal now, but wait till the asphalt heats up when the popcorn REALLY hits the fan next year.

[BunkerHill24]

1. You need to separate "Muslim" and Arab Culture

not all Muslims are Arabs. Just thought I would point that out to you...no pun intended.

[chookie]

7. Thank you for the correction

You're right. It's not Muslims. It's just every single Arab in the world. My mistake. Thanks for clarifying it. I'll email CNN and point out the error.
</sarcasm>

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

2. Well, it's true. In Western culture, it's more of a threat.

[sandnsea]

3. Women have been stocking up

for just such a shoe throwing occasion. And here everybody thought we were buying all these shoes for fun. tsk tsk.

[chookie]

6. You too?

I know that's why I buy them like crazy. Not because I love shoes, but because I love my friends.

I have a really nice neighbor, and we're throwing shoes at each other all the time.

When I am in a bar and see a cute guy, I heave a couple of shoes at him to show my interest.

And they said Imelda Marcos didn't love her people....

It's frustrating that Muslims -- oops I meant to say **every single Arab** -- have this charming custom totally ass backwards.
</sarcasm>

[charlie]

4. Oh, balls

CNN should tell that to the Thais, who consider merely pointing with your feet an insult. Unhappy Thais tried beaning their prime minister with shoes just a couple of months ago.

[Withywindle]

10. Yup. Not only do you take your shoes off when you enter a temple there

but when you sit on the floor you have to be careful not to point your feet at the Buddha, or a monk, or, ideally, anyone. It's very disrespectful.

[chookie]

5. Um, sarcasm, just as the post says,

Please don't feel it is necessary to educate me on the difference of "arab" and Muslim.

Better you should study what sarcasm is.

Sheesh!

[earthlover]

8. gangs in the US have a thing with shoes, marking their turf on telephone lines....

apparently bush was mistaken for a telephone line....

[JCMach1]

9. From what I have seen of shoe throwing in Arab culture it means exactly the same thing

IT's usually aimed at stupid, or petulant children and/or SO's.

[Synnical]

11. Hey, Chookie - the BBC quoted you

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7783325.stm

Bush shoe-ing worst Arab insult

. . .

The blog reaction (to articles not unlike the one you are reading) has been a sarcastic, "and in all other religions... it is a sign of affection, friendship, fellowship, and good feeling(!)" to quote chookie on democraticunderground.com.

. . .

Also noted here:

Chookie from DU quoted on BBC news site

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4654353&mesg_id=4654353

[chookie]

13. Yeah -- I saw that!

Cool.

Not my first appearance in British Media -- my "Bush or Chimps" were featured on a British late night talk show, and they show up on posters at protests sometimes -- I've seen them used in South Korea and Indonesia when His Chimperial Highness has come to visit.
http://www.bushorchimp.com/

[Synnical]

14. You rock!

Thanks for all that you do.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

[BeFree]

12. Cool! Neato!

Now all we got to do is figure out how to throw shoes at each other over the tubes. It simply is not enough to say how much we appreciate fellow DUers, we should be able to show our love by bombing others with virtual shoes!

Skinner, we need a shoe throwing emoticon.

Meanwhile, here's to you, I throw my shoe!