No kissing - we are Saudi!

The King of Saudi Arabia has banned people from kissing his hand in greeting saying this gesture of respect is degrading, violates Islam and is alien to the Arab culture.

The monarch has asked his citizens to restrain from kissing the hands of anyone but their parents, adding only parents are worthy of such deference.

I am bit surprised about the 'alien to Arab culture' part. Grown men greeting each other with a kiss and a hug is so common here it is even part of protocol - two Emirs greet each other this way on the airport tarmac. When we were in Qatar the husband always baulked at attending the Ramadan dos because that's when he got kissed by a whole host of men!