Expert: Mohammed - 12/4/2005

Question
Dear Sir,
I'm so glad I found you.  I hope you'll not be offended by my question, and the other things I have to say.  

I have a picture I want you to see.  Just click on ht eURL I will give you.  I have scoured the internet looking for cultures in the Mid East and/or Mediteranean area.  

U found scarce information that men do this as a greeting in the MId East and other countries.  I'm spaeking of men kissing each other on hte lips.  So this pic is of two Arab men doing this. Here's the URL to the pic.   http://www.betar.co.uk/articles/pictures/arab_men_kissing.jpg

Here is my question.  I want to know if you know what country these two dear men are from.  As I said, I've been scouring the internet to see two men do this as a greeting only, and not a gay thing.  I believe that's the way thees two men are kissing.  

I became so interested in this because I heard that men in ancient times did this, and I saw two men hugging each other and embracing each other.  Then I was watching a Bible movie where two men were kissing on the lips as the men in the picture are. The two men in the movie kissed for two or three seconds at the very most.  I have two more questoins.  1.  How long do Arab men kiss on the lips who do it as seen in the pic?  Also, how long do such clsoe male Arab freinds have to be away form each other (not seeing each other) for them to kiss on the lips as in the pic?  

Answer
Hi,

Regarding the picture, it is not clear to me where this picture was taken; also It is not clear if the kiss is on the lips or on the cheeks.

Arab men -according to my knowledge- don't kiss themselves on lips.

Regards
Mohammed Hammoud