Silver discovered many things on his travels, not least of which was a television channel that only plays footage of military operations. Silver sat for hours watching footage of tanks charging across the desert, mesmerised by the military prowess of the United Arab Emirates.
But, on attending a financial conference in Dubai, what most impressed our horse in the Middle East was the unique handshake he witnessed between attending bankers.
The salutation was to grasp your acquaintance’s hand firmly, while pressing noses together and shaking one's jowls vigorously. An Eskimo nose-rub and a stern British handshake combined. Beard rubbing opportunities seemed to be an added bonus, which gladdened Silver's heart.
Ever interested in the nuances of culture, the Ranger was intrigued to hear of this from Silver. How similar and yet different the handshake ritual was to the uniquely British way of greeting - by holding each other’s cheeks slightly apart and making the loud sucking noises of a sink being plunged.
Sometimes referred to as 'air kissing'.
The greeting of nose-rubbing is a Bedouin sign of respect. Since the nose is in the centre of the face, it is considered a symbol of respect and pride in Bedouin culture.
In the UK, the nose can be symbolic of the very opposite. At times the nose is symbolic of arrogance, as in the expression, “to look down your nose at someone”.
If only haughty Brits would rub their noses — instead of sneering down at people over them —the world might be a warmer place.