h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Pedantic,

Thanks for yout contribution to the Just In Time thread. I'm aware, actually that those cultures who wash themselves thoroughly each time think that we in the West who use paper are dirty. And they have a point. I didn't respond in the thread as it might have diluted the messsage.

I'm not sure which cultures they are though - I assume the arab cultures are among them, especially after your post.

Jab

Hi.

Sorry - I have only just seen your post. Yes I live in an Arab culture (well Moroccan actually) but I have also lived in India (quite the cleanest people that I have ever come across)as well as most of the Middle Eastern countries. It's all a matter of perception I suppose but having lived in such cultures for over thirty years now, it all seems perfectly normal and on the few occasions that I have 'been home', I am terrified of going to the loo if it is NOT possible to wash.

Of course, in Moslem countries the 'eating with the right hand only' custom is simply that you clean your bum with your left hand. Hence - in shariah law, cutting off a thief's right hand, is a particularly severe sentence as it means that (unless you have someone to feed you) you starve to death.