We expected that swine flu will enter Egypt through airports, but it appeared in Zamalek district. Therefore, we have to give up many bad habits that are only known in Egypt! Whenever you extend your hand to greet someone, you will be surprised by a shower of kisses even though there is nothing to justify this ridiculous act. He did not miss you, but he is used to doing that. In many cases, such kisses hide a tremendous amount of hatred and cheap hypocrisy!
In the past, if the Egyptians wanted to greet someone, they would lift their hands up. This sign had a great meaning and deep appreciation for that person. In fact, there is no good act like this to express your appreciation for another person! There were no kisses or embraces. However, the relationships between people were friendly and better than today!
In Sudan, for example, if a person wants to greet someone, he touches their shoulders with his fingers and the other person does the same thing at the same time. They expressed intimacy, with no need for kisses!
In India, to greet a friend, you join your hands (palms together) and bow down in front of the other person as a sign of deep appreciation!
No one knows when this provocative habit started in Egypt. It was not common fifty years ago. If you watched one of the black-and-white movies, which portray the lives of the Egyptians in a certain period of time, you would discover that this bad habit was not common in the Egyptian society. There is no doubt that some of us do this habit unwillingly and want to curse who kiss him whenever they met! In mourning ceremonies in rural areas, people raise their hands from a distance, but such ceremonies in Cairo turn into mass parties for kisses and hugs! During his recent trip to the region, US President Barack Obama practiced this habit a few times in Cairo and Riyadh!
If we do not give up this daily bad habit, swine flu will move from Zamalek to every Egyptian home. If we continue to do this, we will turn into easy prey for swine flu and perhaps for horses and donkeys flu after that!
