Khmer affection
- Jacked Camry
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Excellent reply Starkmonster, and it mirrors my experience.
I think one of the problems is that Westerners associate physical affection with hugs and kisses. Khmer and other Southeast Asians do it in other ways, for example, you've noticed no doubt the tendency of the local lads to hold hands. It's not homosexuality, it's like we might walk down the street with a buddy (when we were young) and throw our arm around his shoulder or josh with him. Same same but different. My Khmer family lie around with each other all the time because they're always on the floor, not on furniture. They are constantly grooming each other too, pulling grey hairs out of the women's hair, pulling armpit hair out with tweezers (I know, sorry to mention it).
But they don't kiss. Ever. That's a completely Western thing. The closest they get is the rubbing of cheeks and sniffing thing, but that's a compromise in European company when they make concessions to us. When good friends or family see each other after a long time or are leaving to go far away, there's lots of hugging and crying going on.
EDIT: I wanted to add that what I wrote above is how the Khmer behave in the family scene, when Westerners aren't around or have become part of the furniture. When it comes however to my family, my Khmer family completely adopt the hugging and kissing thing because that's what our family does. They find it funny and always laugh but there is genuine and deep emotion because the Khmer have deep respect for my family because that's how their culture works.
I think one of the problems is that Westerners associate physical affection with hugs and kisses. Khmer and other Southeast Asians do it in other ways, for example, you've noticed no doubt the tendency of the local lads to hold hands. It's not homosexuality, it's like we might walk down the street with a buddy (when we were young) and throw our arm around his shoulder or josh with him. Same same but different. My Khmer family lie around with each other all the time because they're always on the floor, not on furniture. They are constantly grooming each other too, pulling grey hairs out of the women's hair, pulling armpit hair out with tweezers (I know, sorry to mention it).
But they don't kiss. Ever. That's a completely Western thing. The closest they get is the rubbing of cheeks and sniffing thing, but that's a compromise in European company when they make concessions to us. When good friends or family see each other after a long time or are leaving to go far away, there's lots of hugging and crying going on.
EDIT: I wanted to add that what I wrote above is how the Khmer behave in the family scene, when Westerners aren't around or have become part of the furniture. When it comes however to my family, my Khmer family completely adopt the hugging and kissing thing because that's what our family does. They find it funny and always laugh but there is genuine and deep emotion because the Khmer have deep respect for my family because that's how their culture works.
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I wasn't at the scene that time, GF caught them and did tell them to get off. Of course I would have.youngwill100 wrote: With the gf's car, why didn't YOU tell the kids to get off the car roof? It's obviously unacceptable behaviour - you're an adult, they are children. You set the limits. Irrelevant that it's not your car. Time to exert some adult authority.
Spot on JC. You're practically describing us when we were children.Jacked Camry wrote:Excellent reply Starkmonster, and it mirrors my experience.
I think one of the problems is that Westerners associate physical affection with hugs and kisses. Khmer and other Southeast Asians do it in other ways, for example, you've noticed no doubt the tendency of the local lads to hold hands. It's not homosexuality, it's like we might walk down the street with a buddy (when we were young) and throw our arm around his shoulder or josh with him. Same same but different. My Khmer family lie around with each other all the time because they're always on the floor, not on furniture. They are constantly grooming each other too, pulling grey hairs out of the women's hair, pulling armpit hair out with tweezers (I know, sorry to mention it).
But they don't kiss. Ever. That's a completely Western thing. The closest they get is the rubbing of cheeks and sniffing thing, but that's a compromise in European company when they make concessions to us. When good friends or family see each other after a long time or are leaving to go far away, there's lots of hugging and crying going on.
EDIT: I wanted to add that what I wrote above is how the Khmer behave in the family scene, when Westerners aren't around or have become part of the furniture. When it comes however to my family, my Khmer family completely adopt the hugging and kissing thing because that's what our family does. They find it funny and always laugh but there is genuine and deep emotion because the Khmer have deep respect for my family because that's how their culture works.
It is so. Queer as fuck.Jacked Camry wrote: you've noticed no doubt the tendency of the local lads to hold hands. It's not homosexuality
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Just a while ago today I was riding near Psar Kandal and in front of me were two motos, both riding two up and the pillions were both males and they were holding hands as they went along obscuring the traffic. As I went past I said 'what the fuck is wrong with you?'
Which reminds me, I had some food the other night at La Dolche Vita. While I was there eating, a mixed race couple were getting very affectionate, repeatedly kissing and staring into each others eyes. Made me wonder what is happening to good old conservative Cambodia. I will point out that I have no problem with mixed race couples, I'm part of one. Trouble with this picture was they were both GUYS!!!
Which reminds me, I had some food the other night at La Dolche Vita. While I was there eating, a mixed race couple were getting very affectionate, repeatedly kissing and staring into each others eyes. Made me wonder what is happening to good old conservative Cambodia. I will point out that I have no problem with mixed race couples, I'm part of one. Trouble with this picture was they were both GUYS!!!
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- Jacked Camry
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All in the eye of the beholder I suppose. Hey, did you see that the recent research links homophobia to repressed feelings of homosexuality combined with a disciplinarian father? Who's your daddy?proyat wrote:It is so. Queer as fuck.Jacked Camry wrote: you've noticed no doubt the tendency of the local lads to hold hands. It's not homosexuality
Not sure but I fucked yo mama when she swam out to troop ships so I might be yours. Disappointed you married into a family of lice picking chimps son......Jacked Camry wrote:All in the eye of the beholder I suppose. Hey, did you see that the recent research links homophobia to repressed feelings of homosexuality combined with a disciplinarian father? Who's your daddy?proyat wrote:It is so. Queer as fuck.Jacked Camry wrote: you've noticed no doubt the tendency of the local lads to hold hands. It's not homosexuality
- Jacked Camry
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No problem, one of the best things I ever did. You might want to speak to Michelle Bachmann's hubby to help you get over your problem.proyat wrote:Not sure but I fucked yo mama when she swam out to troop ships so I might be yours. Disappointed you married into a family of lice picking chimps son......Jacked Camry wrote:All in the eye of the beholder I suppose. Hey, did you see that the recent research links homophobia to repressed feelings of homosexuality combined with a disciplinarian father? Who's your daddy?proyat wrote:It is so. Queer as fuck.Jacked Camry wrote: you've noticed no doubt the tendency of the local lads to hold hands. It's not homosexuality
not sure about people on people, but they sure do love their phones out here, boy do they love them!!
And...what exactly is the problem with that? The lack of gay-bashing is one of the few things I like about this country.Trouble with this picture was they were both GUYS!!!
Truth. Beauty. Justice.
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Guys kissing in Cambodia is not something that I've quite got in my schemata just yet, so it stands out. If I was at Nana Plaza in BKK I would not have detected anything unusual I'm sure. Remember, this is the land where it is rude to use a toothpick without shielding your mouth and where public displays of affection are atypical. I was in a pizza place, not frigging Rainbow or Blue Chilli.DieHard wrote:And...what exactly is the problem with that? The lack of gay-bashing is one of the few things I like about this country.Trouble with this picture was they were both GUYS!!!
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