摘要：When you live in the Gulf, you learn some Arabic words simply because you hear them so often. You hear 'Assalaam alaykum' (peace be with you) whenever someone walks into a room. Those in the room reply, 'Alaykum assalaam' (and peace be with you). I'm not sure whether the words, coming from citizens of a region perpetually troubled by conflict, are ironic or apt. You can use the shortened 'Salaam' (peace) instead to initiate or return a greeting, but I always think about bell-bottoms and hippies when I hear 'Salaam' and have to stifle a laugh. And 'Salaam' is often accompanied by a slowly raised hand that reminds me of the lazy Nazi salute officers give each other in movies
