From A Brochure for Comprehending the Cultures of the Coalition Forces, a twenty-eight-page pamphlet published by the Afghan Ministry of Defense and distributed to Afghan troops. Translated from the Dari by Noorullah Dawari.

When members of the coalition forces are getting excited, they show their feelings by touching another person’s shoulder. They may do the same to you too, for doing a good job. If you are insulted by that, ask them not to do such a thing in the future.

Most of the members of the coalition forces are interested in sharing photos and stories about their wives,…