Tissues

People in the Middle East have this weirdo obsession with tissues. I noticed it when I came to visit Jared when he lived in Dubai before, but now that I live here it's really in my face. It's the strangest thing. Tissues here are used like napkins and you seriously see boxes of tissues everywhere. Taxis, on the tables at restaurants, the coffee station at work... EVERYWHERE! Paper towels or napkins anywhere to be seen? Nope. Tissues? 2 Boxes. If we have donuts or cookies at work, what do people reach for? Tissues to wipe their hands. I just can't wrap my mind around it... It's as if the whole country has chronic allergies or is afraid of coming down with a cold any minute and wants to be super prepared. I find it to be quite annoying, and I'm even more annoyed that I'm being forced to take up the habit of using tissues for things other than blowing my nose, since there are not other options around. I'm at work and I need to shine my apple before eating it... Do I go out of my way and go into the bathroom to get a paper towel, or do I reach for a tissue from one of the three boxes within arms length? At first I was rejecting it and going out of my way to get paper towels for things I would normally use paper towels for, but laziness and availability has resulted in me using tissues for these things now... I really don't want this to be an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" or "When in Rome..." moment, but I don't know if I have a choice... So, if you're feeling a little stuffy when you step off the plane on your way to visit us (because I know you are all looking into booking your flights as I write this), have no fear, in Dubai, there will always be a box of tissues within reach. Grrr....