Just read this in the Marine Corps Times: Audible farting is banned for some Marines downrange because it offends the Afghans. Now, there are things in the Afghan culture that don’t seem normal to Americans and it’s a challenge to spend seven months working in someone else’s back yard. Still, the Marines downrange are doing a pretty good job at trying to do the right thing around the Afghans. You know, they’re not supposed to cuss because it could be misunderstood (that one goes out the window a lot). And they stay away from talking about politics, religion or girls because those topics could escalate into major disagreements (on the other hand, they can’t communicate anyway because of the language barrier).
But farting? That’s practically a sport. Ok, it’s not soccer, but a good contest could open the door for cross-cultural exchanges, jokes and other gallows humor. So, for all Marines getting ready to go downwind, I mean downrange, be forewarned — you may have to hold it in… at least until you get back to your hooch where you can loudly crop dust your friends.
