i just got it. i was out for a run on the boardwalk and there it was again. the nod. i've received the nod in the coffee shop, grocery store, and mall. it's the "hey, you're familiar nod." not familiar as in i know you from somewhere, but more of the you aren't from around here either nod. but the nod isn't unique to kuwait. the nod is cross-cultural and normally occurs in situations when one finds themselves in unfamiliar territory (or so it appears.)
if you want to get all academic about it it's called homophily (you can even check out this great book all about it.) essentially, most people like situations and faces that are familiar to them. the thing is we normally don't notice this since most people around us are similar. it's when we're around others that don't resemble us racially, culturally, gender etc., that we become congnizant of said difference. hence, the nod. the end.
(here's a few pics for those not on facebook. we took a little trip to the desert today. right behind me is the boarder to iraq. apparently it was too hot for the camels today too.)
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