Posted on 12/09/2012 6:39:34 AM PST by JoeProBono
TEHRAN, - The newly appointed Swedish ambassador to Iran apparently upset the Iranian president by crossing his legs, an Iranian website reported.
The offending act came during a meeting after a ceremony in which Swedish ambassador Peter Tejler presented Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with his credentials, The Local.se reported.
Iranian website Asriran.com posted photos from the meeting in which Tejler is sitting cross-legged, but in the photos, Ahmadinejad is also seen crossing his legs.
Armenian website Panorama translated Asriran.com's report, which explains that sitting cross-legged "contradicts international diplomatic norms."
"Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, for his part, himself crossed his legs in response to the impoliteness of his interlocutor," the Asriran.com report said.
The Atlantic Wire, from University of West Florida, said showing the soles of one's feet is considered offensive in Muslim culture.
"Pointing the soles of the feet towards someone is impolite because the soles of the feet [shoe] are considered dirty, closest to the ground, closer to the devil and farther away from God. When in the presence of Muslims, be careful not to raise or cross your legs in such a way that the sole of the foot faces others in the room," The Atlantic Wire said.
Neither man has seen a razor in the past week.
Muslims are almost as easily offended as protected class liberals.
And I think it’s undiplomatic that the “President” of Iran never takes a bath.
Muslims get offended by the stupidest things. Perhaps, he should have pointed the soles of his feet at Amadingbatnutjob.
Should have just gone ahead and mooned him then.
These muslim leaders are ALWAYS angry. Nothing sets them off, they’re already off.
Really? Then why aren't his legs crossed in the other direction, pointing the sole of his shoe toward the Swedish diplomat in return?
Funny. I bet they don’t get in a twit when hillary crosses hers.
Next time shake hands with the left hand when greeting the Iranian leader.
Then cross your legs and show the bottom of your shoe, simultaneously asking “What’s a guy got to do to get a BLT around here?”.
Yeah, I feel good about a guy who gets pissed about the bottom of someone else’s shoe showing having a nuclear stockpile.
Leni
I hate to say this, but after spending years in Asia dealing with customers and friends...I find it offensive when a guy shoves his dirty shoes at me. It was something that the older Asian guys taught me the first few weeks in Asia. So the Muslim’s aren’t the only ones who feel that way. A lot of places I visited..offices included, it was normal to take off your shoes at the door. So for years I only wore nice Bass Penny loafers one half size too big so I could slip them on and off without bending over.
“Should have just gone ahead and mooned him then.”
Be careful! Your butt might remind them of their favorite goat and then you’d be in for a good buggering.
“”Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, for his part, himself crossed his legs in response to the impoliteness of his interlocutor,” “
And what did the Swedish diplomat think of this?
“Well I just assumed he was trying to be comfortable too”.
Literally like watching two people behave on different sides of the 13th century.
Must be a gay thing... :)
To be honest they have a right to expect a professional diplomat to behave according to their traditions.
It is very ugly if muslims demand as to follow their tradition in our cities, but it’s not the case here.
Bush was unflappable. He was smiling while ducking. Barrie would have stayed ducked, and screamed for Valerie.
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