When I arrived in Karachi, I was shocked to see men holding hands. I think you know what my initial thought was. However, little did I realize that men hold hands here all the time! It is a symbol of their brotherhood and friendship. Relationships amongst friends is so strong here that people are not afraid to show their affection in public. In the west (taking Canada as an example), when two friends of the same sex express their friendship in public by holding hands, individuals automatically assume the presence of homosexual relationship, just as I did.
We put labels on everything but do not even know why or where these labels originate from. We fail to understand the big picture and instead take the easy way out because society dictates what is normal and what is not. Apparently, society says it is "not normal" for individuals of the same sex to hold hands without an underlying meaning behind it. But what does "normal" really mean and who has the right to define it? My idea of what "normal" means is completely different than yours.

Additionally, I feel that most of the time (East, West, South and North) we are too engrossed in our own lives that we fail to truly love those around us. Our family, friends and even strangers. We rush about trying to fulfill our daily tasks that we forget to express our love and affection to those that matter us the most. We spend hours at work on our desks and with our computers yet our families and friends don't even get one hour with us. To tell you the truth, I am just as guilty of this as the next person.

How can an individual spend time with their family and friends when societal pressures are massive and demanding? Are these pressures man made? Do we really not have time for our loved ones anymore?