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zumera t1_j690dh8 wrote

There are still many cultures in the world where non-sexual/non-romantic physical affection between men is commonplace. Some Western cultures have just lost that aspect of platonic male relationships.

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AchillesNtortus t1_j69bh61 wrote

I spent some time in Saudi Arabia. It was quite usual to find two men walking around holding hands. Homosexually is a crime there and this didn't raise any eyebrows. A man and a woman on the other hand...

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tkeRe1337 t1_j69yjz4 wrote

Ya its the same in China, they also walk holding hands. I asked my chinese friend if there were a lot of gay dudes there. He said no one is gay in China haha

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grawlyx t1_j6eqypb wrote

Well that's just a fact, everyone knows that

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tristenjpl t1_j6bkock wrote

Yeah that's because in those types of places, gay people hide their identities so no one thinks anything of two dudes holding hands or hugging. But as gay people get slightly more accepted and open with things people don't want to be labeled as gay.

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Merle8888 t1_j6bw7ht wrote

I think it’s not only not wanting to be labeled, but recategorizing the meaning of the behavior in general. Even if you live in a liberal area and nobody would think less of you for it, you maybe don’t want to give a false impression about yourself/your friendships—least of all to your friends who now might worry you’re coming on to them or crossing boundaries if you try to hold hands or something!

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tristenjpl t1_j6c0r5j wrote

Yeah they kind of go hand in hand together (lol).

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angelojann OP t1_j690m54 wrote

Which cultures are still open with physical affection between men? I guess in some European countries?

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Transformwthekitchen t1_j691lol wrote

More like countries where close relationships between unmarried men and women are socially unacceptable. Middle east, india etx

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thenotoriousberg t1_j694y06 wrote

In Pakistan young men can often be seen holding hands while walking together.

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Wvejumper t1_j69o48s wrote

India. Men wear pink too! It’s awesome.

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Fox-and-Sons t1_j6bbcc5 wrote

It's not because they're not afraid of being seen as gay though, it's because being gay is so taboo there that most people wouldn't assume that a guy is openly expressing being gay.

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