WARRANT FOR A KISS...

I thought this was a funny thing...

Richard Gere has a warrant for kissing a Bollywood personality on the cheek in India... click link for related video...

there should be a happy medium regarding public displays of affection...EVEN IN OLD-FASHIONED CULTURES.

of course North America is outraged by the violent response of some people in India (Some people burnt effigies of Richard Gere, for cripes sake!). of course they would see it as backward. with the mainstream "sexing" up of celebrities - and the rampant of proliferation of porn which desensitized everyone here in North America - a kiss on the cheek is tantamount to nothing. but i cringe to the fact that some people think they can do JUST ABOUT ANYTHING without considering other people's norms and set of values (sorry Richard, i love you but you just emulated the 2 biggest peeves i have for some, if not most, of Westerners: IGNORANCE AND ARROGANCE).

of course SOME of the people in India are ultra-conservative. although i find this ironic bearing in mind that the BIBLE OF SEX originated from this culture. i even have Indian friends here in North America who were born here in North America who are afraid that they be seen hanging out with a boy holding hands by any of the members of their community and are terrified of the consequences (i have heard of stories of murder but im still thinking this is absolutely insane coz nothing has been reported in the media so far).

AND YET, i have to say that the rationale behind the outrage is decent, and protective. it comes from the desire to protect the value of the WOMAN - which most women in North America are striving for. We cringe at the fact that some men are pigs and don't treat women right. i guess the men (and women) in India value their modesty VERY MUCH.

MY BOTTOMLINES ARE:
1) Some people just have to know how to relax and redefine their definition of modesty.
2) Some people just have to be and need to be aware of local culture first before considering to do something. IGNORANCE OF THE LAW (in this case, NORMS) EXCUSES NO ONE...