Not vampire worthy.
Things are biting in Texas.
Not just the mosquitoes, rattlesnakes, and the heat.
Many in Texas grew up hearing “only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun”, (Like it’s really any cooler after 2 pm – but that’s when we were released into the free range neighborhood.)
Repeat that now and people just stare.
Doesn’t compute.
Especially when English is a second language.
Regional idioms and rural phrases make life more difficult for newcomers.
TV shows really help with that: fluency and cultural information.
“True Blood: Do Bad Things” (Poster image: http://www.amazon.com)
That’s the reason.
Only explanation.
He must have watched True Blood and Twilight over and over again.
To gain language skills.
Just trying to assimilate
Becoming part of the crowd.
Fitting in!
Or was that having a fit?
A real menace: Dennis.
(DVD cover from http://www.amazon.com)
Maybe the kid on his little motorized cart was loud and annoying.
(It’s summer. He’s a kid. Annoying is their job. It’s developmental.)
The 11-year-old boy saw a man flagging him down, so he stopped.
Well, the first mistake was that it was daylight.
“Twilight” Group Poster. (Image: http://www.amazon.com)
Don’t the TV shows show the importance of darkness for vampires?
Oh, well, there’s a lot to absorb.
The bearded man grabbed the kid by the shoulders, and while kissing him on the check, he bit him.
Then he repeated the smoochy bite on the boy’s other cheek.
Then he grabbed the kid’s shirt.
The boy struggled free and hit the road for home.
His parents saw the quarter-sized marks and called the cops.
Police responded, examined the marks, concluded these were obviously bite marks, and went over to talk with the man.
He’s 70, Abdus Sattar.
He explained to police that he was Muslim and this was a cultural misunderstanding incident.
The police left.
Had to think about that. Maybe consult policy?
Cultural differences. (Gotta be careful with that. Sensitivity training and all.)
But they came back and arrested him for injury of a child.
Abdus Sattar posted bond.
People aren’t really sure what to make of it all.
Islamic Society of Greater Houston (www.isgh.org)
Houston is home to many Muslims.
Mosques, Islamic Centers, and schools are fairly common.
About 80 or so in the metro area.
Muslims comprise about 1.2 % of the Houston population – about double the national average for cities.
So that’s the confusion.
No biting traditions emerged before this one.
First mosque in downtown Houston (Image: http://www.islamicdawhcenter.org)
The man is elderly – and has moved to a new country.
Hard to get with the program.
But he’s got that play the “cultural differences” card down.
Probably learned that on TV, too.
The Houston neighborhoods are pretty easy-going about diversity.
But generally, biting is discouraged and disciplined from around age 2.
It’s tradition for this area: no biting allowed. (Even dogs and cats are put on notice.)
Maybe that was left out of the “Welcome to Houston” information?
Bunnicula book cover. (Image: http://www.amazon.com)
It’s that over-abundance of TV?
How is anyone supposed to know what is real and what is scripted?
Might be time to unplug?
At least clarify Twilight and True Blood would never sanction daylight cheeky bites!
Watching the sunset,
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Read more:
- VIDEO / news story: “Spring Man accused of biting boy, 11.”
- Houston Chronicle article: “Houston among the top 10 Muslim cities in the U.S.” (Dallas is #22)
Just when you think you’ve heard it all…. This is so surreal, I’m not sure what to think! I’ve never heard that cheek biting was a cultural thing, though…. Strange days, indeed!
Gonna stick with “only the mad dogs and Englishmen” on this one. Thanks for flying over
No Muslims I know are cheek-biters. Kissers, maybe–I don’t know how Muslim men greet little boys. But this is probably a confused man, following some tradition that has somehow popped up in his mind. I hope he can find some help. The world is a funny place.
I know some, too. None bite. It’s all pretty much of a mystery to everyone. He’s elderly, and maybe the noise bothered him? It’s the heat – makes everyone cranky? Thanks for checking in
Most peculiar story. I have no idea what to make of it. Very weird. Thanks [I guess] for bringing it to my attention.
Ditto. Mind boggling. Odd things simmer in the summer. Thanks for driving by.
Wait until the wife reads this…
Thought you might be interested. Thanks for flying over
Two things came to mind. When I was growing up, there were people – especially from “the old country” – who were given to ear-twisting and cheek pinching. They did it only to kids, and while it was supposed to show affection (cheek pinching) or be a means of discipline (the ears) it hurt! There never was any biting, though.
I do wonder if this fellow hasn’t just seen too many reports about the sad consequences of bath salts. Even in early onset dementia, impulse control begins to loosen. He may have meant only a kiss, but a synapse misfired. Having to come up with some rationale, he just chose “cultural differences”.
That makes sense of it, at least. Sort of. I suppose there could be many other explanations. Maybe he thought the boy was being cheeky.
The original incident was weird enough (parenting styles do vary), but then…
The kid’s parents seemed baffled – wonder what they’ll say about turning the other cheek?
Thanks for strolling over
There’s something that surpasses language, cultural, ethnic barriers… it’s crazy
A real “shaking your head in disbelief” situation. (but there’s been all those solar flares, and extreme heat…)
Thanks for puzzling along.
That is the most bizarre story I’ve heard in a long time. I can’t imagine that biting is acceptable in any culture, but then again, I’m not that worldly
Glad the kid got away, though.
Feeling a bit like Alice in Wonderland here. THanks for wondering along
Cultural differences = it’s ok to break the law and assault children? (or in fact anyone as far as that goes). Spooky.
Everyone is being pretty polite, but nibble children is stretching the friendly hospitality thing a bit.(Even Pippa and RC know better)
Thanks for chewing along
Chewing cats, says Pippa, yes! But children, big no. I’m now fascinated to know if it is/isn’t illegal to grab kids you don’t know and
bitethem in Islamic states? We’ll stick to vampire puppies and their person.There are so many Muslims in my city that we have halal restaurants and grocery stores here. (That’s like kosher only for Muslims.) I have Muslim friends. Guaranteed it’s not ok for Muslims to bite kids. Guaranteed that guy is just using anything he can think of to defend his action.
Ah, we live in similar worlds. Totally baffling situation.
(Kid may need a faster go cart…and has learned not to trust anyone. A little sad.)
Thanks for adding a byte.
Maybe what we need here is a little “Welcome to Texas” pamphlet to help newcomers assimilate more easily. You’d could put in important tips like “Don’t go outside between 10-2″, “Cheek nibbling is frowned upon, no one likes a biter” or “Please don’t eat our children” (as an alternate entry) and maybe a “What to do when your family’s honor has been insulted: A Texans Practical Guide to Saving Face”. We can brainstorm up some more! I think it could be a handy little reference.
A new meaning for the term “munchkins”?
Gold star for the title of the Texans’ Guide!
Thanks for carving out those ideas
Complete aside – you deserve kudos for making it through all of my typos and bad grammar. I swear, when I type it’s correct and then the universe takes over and adds/subtracts things every time I leave a comment. *sigh* (You should see what the universe does to my grocery basket, too – always a surprise when I get home.)
No problemo. It’s a blog – not a research paper. Now the universe controlling the groceries – that’s a great excuse, uh idea, I can buy into! Thanks
It’s not easy in this day and age to come up with something completely new. Bonus points for creativity. But then have him examined for mental health issues.
Street drama at its best. Thanks for winging over
I’m all for enthusiasm for vampires and their lifestyle,but not even Eric and Spike bite youngsters
No accounting for some people’s tastes? Thanks for flying in!
The old guy has to be getting his synapses and neurons in a twist! I don’t think I’ve ever had a kiss with teeth by a muslim …. or anyone come to think of it! Weird!
Very strange. Might want to keep some distance there.Thanks for venturing over
The TRULY scary thing is that biting is usually a precursor or part of rape, one of the most primal of acts of rage known to man. Not a Muslim tradition, my adopted son is Muslim & he’s never once bitten the grand kids, but knowing my grandkids they would bite him right back :~)
No, you are right. Something else is going on with that guy. Thanks for winging in to add that
How bizarre! I can’t imagine that being part of anyone’s culture (unless, of course, they happen to be vampires).
Loved this: “It’s summer. He’s a kid. Annoying is their job.” So true.
Vampires. It’s the only thing that makes sense? Glad you flew in