Sign of Friendship

So for those of you have seen Russell Peters -- in one of his skits he talks about how Indian men walk down the street holding each others pinky fingers swinging their hands as they walk as a sign of friendship.

In China I see signs friendship in a different form then what I've seen in North America. I see boys as they walk down the street or standing in buses arms wrapped around each others shoulders. I see girls always walking with at least one or two friends holding hands (as they did in elementary school in Canada--except they are probably in High school over here) or while sitting on a bus.

I think it's a really compassionate gesture to see close friends do that with one another. It is very common here to see that happen. I guess it is an eastern thing to do. Let me pose a question: If 1/3rd of the world (India and China) has grown up with this sign as an affectionate gesture, why don't we in North America conform to this standard?

Yes, media has to do with it. Some guys might say it's "homosexual" to put your arm around another guy's shoulder and walk down the street, but would it be any different if the other guy was your dad? your brother?

Next time you feel you want to show a little bit more compassion with your good friends of the same sex (or opposite), instead of a hand shake (or props) reach out and give him/her a hug. I think that they would appreciate the extended gesture.