>Notwithstanding I believe in "when in Rome...". It doesn't pay to "abuse" local customs. eg would you just say "bollox" and walk into a mosque without removing your shoes?

That's exactly why I said "or guest of". However, the Catholics do not own the streets of Rome, do they? Do they force you to sign a code of conduct when entering Italy? Vatican may come with a microsoftesque EULA, but my serious doubts as to Italy. IOW, whose guest am I? A guest of a particular religion/temple, or of a country? In the case of the former, I'm on their land and I'll respect the law of the land (or, knowing me, I will not enter), or at least the host's customs. In case of Ira*, Land of Saud and the whole area between Egypt and Pakistan, it's quite possible that a religion literally owns the country and rules it - then I'd have no business there, no matter what they may offer.

>>2nd update: if he has to cleanse himself after being in touch with me, he's a racist.
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>No matter what race/religion touches him. His own people can't do it. Not just farangs.

No matter who but just about the whole rest of the world? And what's he doing among the people then, looking for a reason to scrub himself to death and back?

Um... weekend seems so far. It's only Tuesday, and I've already gone looking for some logic in a religion. I'd be better off crossing words and see what I get.