[DrCaleb]

stratos stratos:

$1:

That, I actually have experience with! I have a Iranian friend, and when he invites me over for lunch, his wife makes it a point to have a shaker of salt on the table. And yes, I know what that means in context.

Okay I'll ask. What the heck does the shaker of salt on the table mean?

It was a story in the Koran, when Muhammed was fleeing from some people. A family took him in, and the salt represents a promise that the family would keep him safe as if he were a member of that family. Like Bart alludes to, strangers weren't anyone's responsibility to protect, but the salt meant that Muhammed would be protected as if he were.

So when my friend's wife puts it on the table, they are saying to me that I am part of the family as well. Not just another guest in the house.