My mom has been like a ghost traveler with me on this trip, and it has been so awesome. I get emails from her "I know you are heading off to Hampi now and I have been reading all about the Virupaksha Temple, which..." and her little travel bits have been invaluable on all parts of my trip. One of her emails to me was that she had been reading about India (duh) and heard that Indian men walk around holding hands and pinkies.
So this post is to you Mom, that yes they DO hold hands. Out loud, publicly, and unapologetically. They are not gay, just close friends. If they were gay, they would not be allowed the physical signs of affection, just as straight people are frowned upon from holding hands and kissing. It feels a bit like how ancient Rome must have been like - the relationships that men share with other men are so heightened and important that the women in their lives appear as mere duties they must attend to (and have children with). The wife certainly seems to have independence and a lot more to say than I imagine she did in generations past, but in most instances still walks behind her husband and I doubt is privy to the intimate conversations that bond men with other men.
nah, they've gotta be fruits!
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