NO KISSING ALLOWED!

I wonder how many tourists (from any country) really investigate the countries before they visit for how to act and dress. The main purpose of a tourist is to visit, enjoy eating, drinking, seeing things. I, for one, would respect what I see around me and not try to be blatantly sexual if all I saw of the local culture was modesty but I would not forego a kiss to my loved one if I felt comfortable doing so. If a country wants to ban and restrict the actions of tourists to this extent then perhaps I would rethink my desire to visit such a place.

That being said, I sat on a train the other day beside a muslim who was, in my view, behaving strangely. He had a three-foot wooden cross with Jesus crucified on it. The cross was quite large, resembling something I would expect to see in a church - it was quite large. Large enough that when the young male leaned his face down onto the cross in his lap and rocked back and forth mumbling and making moan-like sounds, the end of the cross dug into my ribs. I have no problem with people praying and having devotion to their religion but I will admit to being uncomfortable and nervous. I will also admit that I watched him and his bundled up jacket carefully and took a glance under his seat when he left.

Am I then guilty of the same disapproval as muslims of the tourists above?

I wouldn't think he was Muslim if he had a cross with Jesus on it so I don't think you are disapproving of a Muslim. A weirdo perhaps - I don't really see the difference between that and being disapproving of the religious zealots I see roaming the subways and preaching out loud to the public.

I also think there is a big difference between feeling disapproval like the people feel against the kissing tourist and actually doing something major against it.

The arguments against gay marriage one hears in the United States are interesting in comparison...

You mean like John (I never fall, you #@%@#!) Kerry?

Why, Flipper was just saying today that he opposes any support for gay marriage being included in the Democratic platform. That should royally tick off a few of his gay friends, dontcha think?

Source

(I have never supported Kerry and don't see how it is relevant anyway.)

I am only pointing out that seeing as we have our own religiously-based hangups, it seems a bit hypocritical to be pointing out the hangups of others.

I think it's a leap to think that someone posting an article of interest in an appropriate forum is 'pointing out hangups of others'.

Personally, I'm not much in favor of public displays of affection....well, the obnoxious ones, anyway.

Having said that, the Imams' hangups did manage to get a film maker in Holland killed.

It makes sense to respect the culture of the country you're visiting. If their customs are too repellant, don't go there. To act the way you would in your backyard is disrespectful to the locals.

Or am I missing something here? I sense there's a dig intended vs. Zanzibar...

Oh we are just bashing Muslims then... I am sorry I didn't understand your objective.

Would it be rude of me to point out the religious hangups that managed to get Abortion Clinic workers killed in the States?

Not at all, if it makes you feel better about yourself.

I guess in printing that story, Reuters is also bashing muslims?

if there is any girls in here then...
gi us a kiss.....

I'll vote for this perspective.

I for one 2nd that!

When in Rome, do as the Romans do... (?)

Well, not exactly: throwing people to the lions alive, or dunking them in pitch and using them as live torches...no, I guess there are limits.

I hear Europeans have beaches where it is natural and normal to go topless. What if they came to the beach where you and your family were vacationing?

Personally, my boys (and Bear) would insist on extending our vacation. Daughter and I wouldn't be offended, other than by the Cub/ Bear stares.

But, I can certainly see where it would cause quite a rucuss (sp?) for some Americans.

Australia is big on topless bathing, just the norm over there.

Re: NO KISSING ALLOWED!
I don't get it. Maybe I'm just a bit of a dullard, but this seems like a huge oxymoron to me.

It appears that Zanzibar not only wants the tourist trade and Western dollars, but needs it. Considering the fact that tourism is the second largest foreign exchange earner for Zanzibar and that earning potential is expected to increase in importance, I would think that that country would look at the importance of their own economy and survival more than getting their panties in a knot over two honeymooners exchanging (even a passionate) kiss on a resort beach.

And who the heck decides how short is too short when it comes to dresses? Will the morality police whip out a tape measure and measure every tourists dress length to see if they are in compliance? And if they are not, what then? Will they throw the offender of that atrocious crime in an Islamic jail and have them deported? One whiff of something like that in yesterdays news is surely going to inspire more tourism and bring in tons more money for the country.

And as far as a tourist pursuing their ways as long as it is done in a segregated manner? What the heck is that? Isn't some of the enjoyment of visiting a foreign country being able to interact with the natives of said country? We want you, we need you, but only if you are segregated from us is a bunch of crap.

It's no wonder their courts tend to side with the tourist industry. At least they know where the dollars real come from and it isn't clove sales anymore.

Dang me for ever walking into one of their beach bars and ordering a "Sex on the Beach" wearing a swimsuit with my new husband and giving him a sweet kiss.

It seems that Zanzibar in itself is truly conflicted about preserving their conservative culture or preserving their economic future.

I think I'll book my trip to The Maldives instead, thanks.

Good article, JustWonders. Thanks for bringing it to light.

I think Lady J you dont seem to understand that what is the norm to us is not the norm for others, its ok to do those things in your own resort complex in these foreign countries, just not in an obvious manner in front of the locals thats all, you see in some countries showing too much skin for a woman will encourage unwanted blatant touching from the local men....and they dont give two hoots if your new husband is there or not! unfortunate but true.

Lady J, you go to a foreign country to experience a place different from the one in which you live. If you don't want that experience, you save money and go to the local beach or semi-local resort area. Part of the experience should be respecting local custom.