Deborah Akers

These days, as the first cases of swine hit the region, times are tough in Saudi Arabia, the Arabian Gulf and Jordan.  Even in countries, such as Saudi where it is openly acknowledged that contagious disease is passed by touch, there’s the age old problem of what to do about social customs which bring you directly in touch of others who may be harboring the flu? Well, if you are a mother with young children, that’s easy–you avoid public places. However, for others it may be more difficult to abstain from the daily course of interacting with friends, family, and business associates. The question arises, “How does one avoid the ubiquitous custom of kissing three times on the cheek while firmly holding the other person’s hand?” Or if you are in Jordan, “How does one keep one’s hands out of the mansaf dish?” Some restraints are simply not possible for an Arab.