I met someone new yesterday

[MaidenScotland]

Hi Sam

Yes I have a drier here and it is needed in the winter.
I too used to get shocks from my laptop when it was sitting on my lap but I put it down to static electricity building up as previously my sofa covering was made of some horrible slippery material and now that I have changed it for a lovely woven material no more shocks.

Maiden

[Sam]

Originally Posted by MaidenScotland

Hi Sam

Yes I have a drier here and it is needed in the winter.
I too used to get shocks from my laptop when it was sitting on my lap but I put it down to static electricity building up as previously my sofa covering was made of some horrible slippery material and now that I have changed it for a lovely woven material no more shocks.

Maiden

I suppose Cairo gets much colder in winter than we do over here.

It could be a build up of static - I'm VERY susceptible to shocks, always get them on escalators when touching the rubber handle thing (which doesn't make much sense) and can even get them clothes shopping from the metal hangers.

When it comes to laptops, its not just mine. I've also had them from my last two work computers, in my last two work places and in the last 3 apartments I've lived in, location and computer aren't the factor. And although I have a nice comfy sofa at home, at work it was a leather chair and desk so not much static build up necessarily!!!

@Beatle - I've since got the impression the bathroom shoes thing is just a custom among some families. I was also told before (same person) that cut toe nails and finger nails should be flushed down the toilet not put in the bin, again he claimed religion. Unfortunately I think there are a few (I don't think it's many, well it might be) who confuse customs, traditions and actual religious practices.

[Beatle]

Originally Posted by Sam

@Beatle - I've since got the impression the bathroom shoes thing is just a custom among some families. I was also told before (same person) that cut toe nails and finger nails should be flushed down the toilet not put in the bin, again he claimed religion. Unfortunately I think there are a few (I don't think it's many, well it might be) who confuse customs, traditions and actual religious practices.

I haven't heard of flushing cut nails either.

I think you are right that customs and actual religious practices can be confused. To a certain extent, you only become aware that something is a custom when you meet other people of the same religion from a different country and discover how customs differ. It's very easy for custom and religious practice to become entwined.

Anyway, you didn't want this to become a religious debate - just found what you said about wearing flip flops in the bathroom interesting!

[MaidenScotland]

I have a South African friend who always flushes his toenails as he doesn't want anyone getting hold of them to practice voodoo on him

[Beatle]

Originally Posted by MaidenScotland

I have a South African friend who always flushes his toenails as he doesn't want anyone getting hold of them to practice voodoo on him

It reminds me of how one of my Egyptian friends in England thought I was crazy last time I spotted a magpie as I was desperately trying to spot a second one. And another Egyptian friend pointed out that when you say you will cross your fingers for someone, it has its origins in Christianity which I had never thought about before.