Khiva
I had the good fortune to be with two Muslims couples You know I am VERY outgoing and I make a lot of jokes so they were wonderful (definition: they got my jokes and were generous with their laughter). You get close to people fast on trips like this and we had a great camaraderie within a day. I was making a joke to Ibrahim, here, and was feeling close to him and went to hug him (this is what Irish people do) and he practically jumped back. OK. So some lessons need to be learned here.
The next day, today, I was seated with the two Muslim couples who have both been married 40 years or more. I am very friendly with the wives too so I felt I could ask them. I wanted to know how to properly respond physically with Muslim men, for example, when meeting. So we had a lively discussion with them explaining to me that Muslim men do not shake hands with women. No touching at all. Mostly, just put your hand on your heart and kind of nod. They said they would never hug a woman as well. Zuleja, his wife, explained that even a hand shake can send a communication. And, all of us know, that there are sparks between the sexes and so, I have learned something. I walked back talking to my new Singapore friend, Yvonne, and we were discussing the juxtaposition between the MeToo culture where men are abusive on big and little scales, and the Muslim cultures where men and women are more or less segregated, but there is so little sexual abuse. Where can we create a happy medium? 
Ibrahim, who has a death wish, eats rich and horrible food, with 3 heart attacks and 7 stents, but he is a lovable, mischievous guy with a wonderful wife. We should all be so lucky
3 thoughts on “Learning about Muslims”
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Hey Jules! I’m here at Wanda’s, waiting on her hand and foot, and finally had a moment to get caught up on your blog! Roger and I were in Jerome – yes, Arizona – last week, and I met a young gal who lives there and just loves it. When I asked her where one goes on holiday from Jerome, she said she was leaving for Istanbul in 2 weeks! She should be there now! Keep enjoying your adventure – the blog is fun!
I have muslim students in my ESOL class and more than once I have instinctively tried to shake hands with them and been politely waved off. Now I know the heart+nod gesture and can apply it in the future.
Yes Carey, it is great to learn these little gestures that communicate. I have mercilessly been teasing the two Muslim men. We are facing 40 steep steps “Ibrahim can you please carry me up the steps without touching me.” His response: “I was going to ask the same of you. “Adil I am coming up the stairs now, be sure not to touch me.” His wife cracks up. Nice really