Messi pisses off Egypt by donating his old shoes, gets called an idiot by famous archaeologist - Sensationalist Headlines

[URL="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/31/football/lionel-messi-egypt-shoes-insult/"]http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/31/football/lionel-messi-egypt-shoes-insult/[/URL] [QUOTE]The beloved Argentinian football player Lionel Messi offered a pair of his used football boots as a donation during an Egyptian television program on the private network MBC Masr -- a private network. "One of the things he does is give charity all over the world and these will be among the donations he gives," Egyptian presenter Mona El-Sharkawy says as she sits across from the celebrity with the red and white boots held up to the camera. But quickly the goodwill gesture turned into a great offense against the Egyptian people. "We (Egyptians) have never been so humiliated during our seven thousand years of civilization," Said Hasasin, a controversial parliament member and TV presenter responded during his program Sunday, "I will hit you with the shoes, Messi," he said, as he held up his own shoes, and mockingly said he would donate his leather lace-ups to Argentina. Even Egypt's Football Association spokesman Azmy Megahed chimed in on the issue, saying: "Our poor don't need him. Shoes work for him...I am confused, if he intends to humiliate us, then I say he better put these shoes on his head and on the heads of the people supporting him. Give your shoes to your country, Argentina is full of poverty." The controversy centers on the significance of shoes in Arab culture. Considered one of the lowliest of items, because it literally touches the ground, many Egyptians find it a dirty and inappropriate object. [/QUOTE] [URL="http://www.timesofisrael.com/egypts-best-known-archaeologist-calls-messi-an-idiot/"]http://www.timesofisrael.com/egypts-best-known-archaeologist-calls-messi-an-idiot/[/URL] [QUOTE]CAIRO — Egypt’s best known archaeologist has apologized after he angrily called Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi “an idiot” because the striker seemed to show little interest during a tour of the Giza Pyramids. In a TV interview, he was asked about the Barcelona striker’s reaction. “Messi is an idiot,” he snapped. “I was explaining the antiquities to him and there’s no reaction in his face. “I was explaining things that would make a rock react, but he was just like an idiot.” [/QUOTE]

Well damn, we've successfully hit a new low in Nontroversy.

[quote=An Idiot]"We (Egyptians) have never been so humiliated during our seven thousand years of civilization,"[/quote] This is just comical.

Talk about being complete idiots geez....what the fuck is wrong with these Egyptian people? And that archaeologist should get a grip. Messi has had enough problems in his life like to go around faking interest in something he probably doesn't like. If he doesn't find archaeology or history interesting, why would you care so much? [QUOTE]This is just comical. [/QUOTE] They are bored so they have to have something to argue and scandalize over. Pretty much like here with all the tv stars and their rumors programs.

what douches

[QUOTE]I say he better put these shoes on his head[/QUOTE] now that's a meme I haven't heard in a while

[QUOTE]Egyptian television program on the private network MBC Masr -- a private network.[/QUOTE] Proofreading. Not even once.

Does nobody know shoes are really bad shit in Middle Eastern culture? That's why GWB/others had them thrown at him. It's like the peace sign, normal to us but one of the most offensive gestures in other cultures.

classic example of signification lost in translation

[QUOTE=Cutthecrap;51949504]Talk about being complete idiots geez....what the fuck is wrong with these Egyptian people? And that archaeologist should get a grip.[/QUOTE]idk man read the article, hell read the little snippet of the article and you'll get an idea why because it literally tells you why they're mad at this.

[url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette_in_the_Middle_East[/url] [quote]Displaying the sole of one's foot or touching somebody with one's shoe is often considered rude. This includes sitting with one's feet or foot elevated. In some circumstances, shoes should be removed before entering a living room.[/quote] damn

"We have never been so humiliated during our seven thousand years of civilization," Shoes worse than being conquered by the Persians. Got it.

[QUOTE=Killer900;51949694]idk man read the article, hell read the little snippet of the article and you'll get an idea why because it literally tells you why they're mad at this.[/QUOTE] You misunderstood me. I know why they are mad. I'm asking what the fuck is wrong with them. Not what are they getting mad over.

[QUOTE=Cutthecrap;51949741]You misunderstood me. I know why they are mad. I'm asking what the fuck is wrong with them. Not what are they getting mad over.[/QUOTE] It's the equivalent of my calling you disgusting garbage but worse.

[QUOTE=Svinnik;51949765]It's the equivalent of my calling you disgusting garbage but worse.[/QUOTE] I dont think so. It would be "offensive" because we both understand what the other thinks about garbage, yet the poor Egyptian guy doesn't understand what Argentine people, hell, all of LATAM think about shoes, judging by his answer: [QUOTE]and mockingly said he would donate his leather lace-ups to Argentina.[/QUOTE] You can't get mad over a little action that was done by a foreigner with the intent of helping by collecting money, because he is not saying "Here, you poor fucks, have my worn and used shoes for some poor kid", he's saying "Hey, these shoes will be bought by someone with a lot of money and that money can be used to help people".

[quote]"We (Egyptians) have never been so humiliated during our seven thousand years of civilization," Said Hasasin, a controversial parliament member and TV presenter responded during his program Sunday, "I will hit you with the shoes, Messi," he said, as he held up his own shoes, and mockingly said he would donate his leather lace-ups to Argentina.[/quote] [t]http://i.imgur.com/EgO58Do.jpg[/t] Really stupid of them to get so flustered over something that so obviously is about lack of cultural knowledge rather than any intended insult. Also, these news are several months old.

[QUOTE=Bertie;51949830][t]http://i.imgur.com/EgO58Do.jpg[/t] Also, these news are several months old.[/QUOTE] Didn't notice that the first article is a year old, still getting used to 2016/17 thing. The second article is recent though.

[QUOTE=Swiket;51949699][url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette_in_the_Middle_East[/url] damn[/QUOTE] This actually has been an issue with US soldiers in the Middle East for a long time (since they (usually) don't read up on the local culture apparently). IIrc, it went so far as people being injured (killed in some areas?) over apparent insults and the US trying to educate locals that the people they send over aren't [I]intentionally[/I] super rude. [editline]edit[/editline] This is me remembering some old news bit from years ago though, so I could be super wrong.

Man, selling shoes over there must get really tedious.

How do you go about buying shoes? "I ask $12 for this pair." "You should be paying me for the honor of taking your dirty footwear, dog!"

[QUOTE=A B.A. Survivor;51951379]How do you go about buying shoes? "I ask $12 for this pair." "You should be paying me for the honor of taking your dirty footwear, dog!"[/QUOTE] I'm pretty sure it might be different for shoes that haven't been worn yet (and don't belong to anyone) and are thus pristine

[QUOTE=Tamschi;51950057]This actually has been an issue with US soldiers in the Middle East for a long time (since they (usually) don't read up on the local culture apparently). IIrc, it went so far as people being injured (killed in some areas?) over apparent insults and the US trying to educate locals that the people they send over aren't [I]intentionally[/I] super rude. [editline]edit[/editline] This is me remembering some old news bit from years ago though, so I could be super wrong.[/QUOTE] Specifically it was the custom of not showing the soles of one's feet. People were riding in trucks with their shoes off iirc and flashing their feet

[QUOTE=Callinstead;51949729]"We have never been so humiliated during our seven thousand years of civilization," Shoes worse than being conquered by the Persians. Got it.[/QUOTE] Remember when tsahal trampled sinai? Well write this one off, they didn't leave a single shoe unattended, bless them the whole saintly lot of them.

Does no one remember the Bush incident?

Messi must not remember the bush incident. Still, what a petty thing to take cultural offence to. How silly, of everyone involved.

[QUOTE=DiBBs27;51953273]Still, what a petty thing to take cultural offence to. How silly, of everyone involved.[/QUOTE] If an Egyptian leader stuck his middle finger up first whilst counting or something then I'm sure Western media would be equally outraged. This is why PR and etiquette people exist, to make sure no one causes accidental offence. I mean hand gestures are equally as petty as shoes if you think about it.

[QUOTE=TurtleeyFP;51949616]Does nobody know shoes are really bad shit in Middle Eastern culture? That's why GWB/others had them thrown at him. It's like the peace sign, normal to us but one of the most offensive gestures in other cultures.[/QUOTE] [video=youtube;Xkb2K2ElBX8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkb2K2ElBX8[/video]

[QUOTE=Thlis;51949497]This is just comical.[/QUOTE] It's not, though. What are people teaching their kids that they get this fucking offended lol

The archaeologist article is new but the shoes one is a year old, I remember it being posted here back then as well. Knew something looked familiar.

Are people in this thread really culturally ignorant or do some FPers just hate Egyptians? It's the equivalent of a foreign celebrity flipping people off on tv. Of course people are going to think they're an asshole. Both sides made the same error of cultural miscommunication. But it's more realistic to expect a celebrity with a fat paycheck to educate themselves than some random Jo with a TV.