While I agree with the statement, "The scene can look quite abject when the devout kisser ...", it is probably a bit POV. It is probably because this POV is widely held that the practice of genuflection fell rapidly out of use after Vatican II. Maybe the POV-ness of this could be lessened by a bit more explanation of why it is no longer prevalent. I will leave it to those more knowledgeable than I - Fastifex?Peashy 12:37, 30 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I removed POV references such as one dealing with the kissing of hands of Catholic prelates that described the scene as "abject"; and another that simply stated that the practice is uncommon in the 20th century, when, in fact, it is not uncommon worldwide.
"Conservative Upper Class" seems a tad non-neutral to me, but I could just be jumpy post-Liberal leadership campaign in Canada. Nothing serious, to be sure.
Do the Mafia often kiss their superior's rings, or is that a Hollywood invention?
Arabs kiss the hands of their fathers. There is an incident of it In Mahfouz's Cairo Trilogy. I also know it to be not unusual in Morocco. Maybe an Arab personn could add to this article with sources and backgorund information.
