Pashtun distinctive tribal customs

[MtnGoat]

I'm posting this here and not in most MOS thread so that Non-SF guys can post on it. I think that we have many CA, MISO, REG Army Guys here that can add to this. SO......

Pashtun distinctive tribal customs and traditions form an integral part of the Pashtun society. What have you seen to be a big custom or thing that most of us Americans just don't get?

I don't care if you talk about your visit to a KLE, Shura, Jurga, Elders meeting, ETC.

Don't care if you talk about what you think about farting around Afghan people.

What you have experianced when dealing with Terps. Americans Cussing and Afghans.

Should American take their boots off going into a Shura, KLE?? ETC

However, while the different groups of Pashtuns or even Afghans in General differ in language and culture, they also share fundamental qualities. One of the most striking qualities of the Afghan people is their toughness and resilience.

Popular culture is based on tradition, steeped in religion and colored by tribal relics of war, romance and magic. My idea of starting this thread is to maybe help first timers coming to Astan. Even SF Guys don't GET IT.

[PRB]

I'm posting this here and not in most MOS thread so that Non-SF guys can post on it. I think that we have many CA, MISO, REG Army Guys here that can add to this. SO......

Pashtun distinctive tribal customs and traditions form an integral part of the Pashtun society. What have you seen to be a big custom or thing that most of us Americans just don't get?

I don't care if you talk about your visit to a KLE, Shura, Jurga, Elders meeting, ETC.

Don't care if you talk about what you think about farting around Afghan people.

What you have experianced when dealing with Terps. Americans Cussing and Afghans.

Should American take their boots off going into a Shura, KLE?? ETC

However, while the different groups of Pashtuns or even Afghans in General differ in language and culture, they also share fundamental qualities. One of the most striking qualities of the Afghan people is their toughness and resilience.

Popular culture is based on tradition, steeped in religion and colored by tribal relics of war, romance and magic. My idea of starting this thread is to maybe help first timers coming to Astan. Even SF Guys don't GET IT.

My experience.

I'd mimic the Senior Afghan Military guy (GO) asto footwear removal or not...sometimes did, sometimes did not, it often depended upon the seriousness of the LJ.
Altho the Govt. has pushed intratribal fairness it is still a big issue and it is good to know, if you can't tell by looking, who is from what tribe besides the Pahstun. They often get slighted because they are looking for slights because they are use to it....especially important when dealing with the Afghan Army O Corps.
Interpreters are all over the place...you'll find some that act like young Americans (try to) and others that are easily offended. I would also take two with me if they were basically unknown so I could have them help each other/rate each other for accuracy etc until I had a known entity.
Watch the military terms...many Afghan Officers (Russian trained) and IT's use the term 'little Sgt' when refering to the Afghan NCO's out of habit, this is an old Russian hold over and a diminishing term and you should assist in getting rid of it.
I still email my IT's and they were great kids but I never confided in them, basic opsec, and always kept a prof. friendly approach. Even some of the best ended up being untrustworthy in some respects.