Me and a mate are going away in the summer down through Iraq, Iran The pamirs, Afghanistan Kazakhstan Etc. We are taking a van and we were just going to put a double mattress in the back.

Could we come across any problems sharing a bed with another male in Muslim countries?

It might sound daft but i have only ever been away with females before so i have never had to think about it.

In my experience of the ME (Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Pal, and most of North Africa) two men sharing a bed wouldn't even warrant a raised eyebrow.

I imagine there is even less problem in Afghan and the surrounding area.

Birdy

Just get used to hearing this question in conspiratorial voices.

'Tuhib jig-a-jig rajul ala rajul?'

Getting the idea

Cheers
Pete

__________________
Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 2016
Buenos Aires to NYC 2012-2013: www.facebook.com/curryhunt
India and back 2009-2010:

Nice article. Some interesting points raised.

Other than religion though, surely in this day and age more elements are cultural? (I understand in the region it can be difficult to work out where one stops and the other begins.)

In most of my experience, there would be zero problem with two young men sharing a bed, but a lot of problems with two opposite sex unmarried people sharing a bed. It may not be empirically provable, but from what I have observed, young ill-educated men often see the sin of homosexuality as being less serious than the sin of extra-marital sex.

Also, remember most of these cultures are generally closer, and less inhibited about their personal space than our own, it is often quite regular for people to share rooms or beds with family or friends. And as I'm sure you've seen, men are generally so much closer, holding hands etc in the street.

A lot has been documented about the homosexuality rife in the ANA, as well as their general effeminate nature.

Although having said that - there is nothing innately homosexual about two men sharing a bed - and I would feel pretty comfortable doing so in the Middle East - probably more so than in the West!

Birdy

Edited - McGiggle has painted a picture worth a thousand words.

Second to that.

I shared some beds with a male friend of mine when we rode Italy to Jordan and nobody cared at all about this in Turkey, Syria and Jordan.

__________________
Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

Thanks for your replies everyone. It has re-assured me no end.

I must admit that last time we went away me and the GF got "married" Nobody asked but it was good to have the story just in case.

Each time that I've gone to the ME with a girl, I've 'got married' too (down to the rings) - it's just easier! Travelling with a girl in ME culture can be tiring.

Although your mate will probably be less amenable after a few pints, open less doors and be far less aesthetically pleasing.

It's swings and roundabouts.

Birdy