Fish

Alexandria is famous for its delicious fish restaurants and lively fish markets. The fish are both fresh and plentiful. There is a good chance the fish you will eat was still in the ocean as you walked to the restaurant. I'm not sure it gets much better than that.

Egypt has another type of fish. This type, however, is considerably less famous and tasty but as prevalent as the other: The Egyptian handshake.

In America, we respect a firm handshake. A strong handshake reflects on you as a mature, self-confident person and conveys your excitement for seeing the other person.

It is the opposite in Egypt. When Egyptians greet each other, they tenderly and limply clasp each others' wrists and then quickly disengage. Although we, as Westerners, recognize this greeting as a hand shake, the hand is nominally involved in the process and there is absolutely no shaking.

The thumb plays no role in Egyptian salutations. The American handshake hinges on good thumb-to-thumb contact. Planting the thumb allows the rest of the fingers to wrap naturally, completely a full handshake. Even in the rare instances in Egypt when your hand finds the other's hand, rather than wrist, the thumb is always excluded. You are left with an uncomfortable palm caress that more resembles an severely underdeveloped high five than a handshake.

The differences in salutation tell an interesting story about our two cultures. Each handshake style still conveys respect and affirms the other person but in two distinct manners. Why does America respect a powerful handshake and Egypt choose a more tender greeting?

I am starting to come to grips with this cultural phenomenon but I do not think I'll ever be hooked by it.


Heads up, liberation from a chocolate prison, and I want my ballot