Deli counter with fruits and vegetables in the background
There are large sections labeled for every kind of food...
gluten free, dairy free, french food, Indian food, sugar free,
Look at this organic food selection! Also a pharmacy, restaurants,
British food, electronics, fabrics, traditional dress.....
Three levels of goods with escalators for the shopping carts.
I had a great conversation with my new friend Ashkan from Iran who is here with his wife Nassim. He is on production and Nassim is one of the translators from English to Farsi (Iranian language). Both speak excellent English. When I first met Ashkan, I put out my hand to shake hello and he said he didn't shake hands and this made me very curious. Today we had time to sit down to talk so I could understand this practice as well as some other cultural differences.
Men and women not touching people of the opposite sex, except for family members, is a religious practice. It goes back to the time of Mohammad around 600 AD. Mohammad wrote the Koran (Islam's Holy Book like the Bible is to Christians). The Koran is believed to be the word of God. Many Muslims believe the Koran is superior to other religious books since it has never been changed or edited since it was written some 1,500 years ago.
At the time of Mohammad, there was a lot of problems in the culture with prostitution and relationships outside the family (extramarital affairs). Mohammad struggled for about 10 years with what to do about this situation. This practice of not touching, along with some of the other traditions regarding men and women came out of dealing with this problem. The practice begins at about puberty. For girls that is age 9 and for boys, age 15. Other practices begin at these ages as well: girls wearing the hajab (long ankle length dress and covering the head); for boys and girls they begin to pray 3-5 time per day as well as begin fasting for the month of Ramadan.
Ashkan was taught that to be a good Muslim you take on these practices. Accidentally touching is no problem. But, if you are touching on purpose it is a sin and if you keep doing it, you will go to hell (or Jahanam). Some other Muslims don't believe in this practice and think it is fine to shake hands or touch people of the opposite sex.
I asked if someone could confess their sins and be forgiven like in the Catholic Church. Ashkan explained it is highly forbidden to confess to anyone other than God. Humans are not God and are not worthy to here your confessions.
He showed me how to read whether a man (or woman) was willing to shake hands. I am so thankful to Ashkan who never laughed at my stupid questions and patiently explained everything and agreed to demonstrate for me. Isn't he a cutie?
If a man or woman you are being introduced to has their hand like this,
it is a signal that they do not want to shake your hand.
Ashkan greets me every morning like this with a nod of his head.
Or like this. They may nod their head at you in acknowledgement.
Or like this. Or putting your 2 hands crossed over your abdomen is another posture.
This is all very helpful since I will be greeting people as they arrive for the course.
There are some very strict religious people attending the course
and we want honor their practices.
If a man comes up like this, I know he is okay to shake hands.
There are even some team members here who don't practice this no touch tradition.
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