In Iraqi culture, throwing shoes at someone is a sign of contempt. Iraqis whacked a statue of Saddam with their shoes after U.S. Marines toppled it to the ground following the 2003 invasion.
The reporter should have gone on to say in which culture(s) throwing shoes at a person was a ingratiating gesture of affection and goodwill. *much eyerolling here*
6 comments:
I couldn't stop laughing at Bush's expression and dodging the shoe, almost like he was expecting it.
Shouldn't we be asking what kind of shoe was thrown? Throwing a snazzy YSL at someone sends a different message than tossing Birkenstock.
I'll bite ... in which culture
is the shoe (thrown) a gesture
of respect?
Anon, Don
ah... yes, but a Fluevog..... that sends a message of admiration and utmost respect.
Yes, it was obviously a sign of disrespect, but who knew it was a cultural tradition? OTOH, one might think it was a shoe-bomb, a la that "American Taliban" moron who made preflight security even more unpleasant for all of us.
I think at a minimum W should have stuck his thumbs in his ears and wagged his fingers with his tongue out at the guy - if not thrown the shoe back.
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