When a Friend Won't Visit.

[gandy]

"unreasonable" fear

This, by definition, is a phobia. Phobias are difficult to overcome. Imagine someone with a fear of elevators or cats for instance. It happens.

[ppiklapp]

Which reminds me, what is the term for the phobia of Linux?  I have several friends I have try to reason with over OSes and they just can't let go of the 'hole in the wall'.

[horusfalcon]

Which reminds me, what is the term for the phobia of Linux?  I have several friends I have try to reason with over OSes and they just can't let go of the 'hole in the wall'.

While I'm not familiar with a formal name for a specific fear of Linux, the term "neophobia" (fear of anything new or different from the norm) should cover it nicely.  Neophobes will fear anything that might force them to change.  Neophiles, on the other hand, abound in Open Source environment - those are the folks who make things happen just to see the results.  (Yeah... that can be good or bad, depending...)

Later On,
D

[Rudge]

I visited my friend today at his home.

His birthday was within the week.

He has a "tattoo" on his wrist, that he got at birth, showing that he is a "Christian". 

I took to him a gift for his Birthday.

One that should give him a slice of America,, a pocket knife.

He has never owned one and I showed him how to use it for opening letters or boxes, cutting zip ties and that plastic "clam shell" stuff.

That stuff seems impenetrable.


He said something to me that made me shiver.

He said "You are like a brother. Even better than my own"

He has 4 brothers.  They are still in Egypt and here is a friend, telling me that I am "like a brother to him".

His fear of dogs is the least of my worries.

He is a friend.

 

[Tony]

It is a really interesting situation. There is something about his Culture, I feel, that is causing the Dog problem.

As I read I felt the guy was wanting to be like the dominate one, making you go over to his place ? 

When I read you gave him a pocket knife i was worried, "Heck, he's gonna take that as an invitation to fight with knives",... I don't think you can figure this unless you had another equally friendly Egyptian, as it seems like a cultural thing. Maybe Google can help 

1.) You subserve to him, by going to his home.
2.) You offer a knife, in his home; which I feel a kind of dynamic; subservience; rather than shove it in his gut (  ) you offer the weapon, in peace.

Heck, honestly I have no idea, but if the wife has to walk 100 metres behind, there is a hierarchy involved, on which you may be getting the butt of.
You'd have to ask an Egyptian I think Rudge, I'm really trying hard to imagine what you two guys are up to. 

Actually I'll Google Egyptians and dogs; although I've a feeling it has nothing to do with your Dogs, but a "Hierarchal" posturing, ...

[corazon]

His fear of dogs is the least of my worries.

He is a friend.

Nice of you to reach out with a gift. Since large parts of Islam consider
dogs unclean, some of that thought probably rubs off between Egyptian cultures.

The hygiene and first-aid capabilities we take for granted, are not always
there in the middle east, making pets within living quarters a real health hazard.
It may be that is part of your friends concern. People who come from a nation
with real poverty, where the cost of pet care would be prohibitive, may also
be offended that in our culture, we can, and often do spend money on pets,
and value them highly.

My daughter has a kenel for her dog, and he receives his treats and rewards there,
with the door open, so it does not seem so much like punishment, when he is placed in there
when visitors arrive, with the door closed.
Cheers

[corazon]

Which reminds me, what is the term for the phobia of Linux?  I have several friends I have try to reason with over OSes and they just can't let go of the 'hole in the wall'.

Drop by with a laptop, and delicious snacks, for some gaming.
Have them start a game from E17 menu while you pour the drinks.
Later, get online and have them use synaptic to install another game.
(My hands are too greasy for the keyboard, you do it, just click this and press that   )
Set the hook, and reel in!