In a lot of extremely homophobic places it is more possible for men to express physical affection for one another than in the west. It has been speculated and argued that since it’s “not possible” to be gay in these places, holding hands doesn’t threaten to make you look gay, so you can do it. There’s obviously way more to such cultural differences than something so simple but I am quite open to believing that it plays a role in this.
There just long time roommates that occasionally hold hands. It’s okay for friends to hold hands. Your grandma probably.
My grandma loves that my …friend… and I even had a paperwork party in nice dresses
In India, men who are friends unironically do hold hands.
In a lot of extremely homophobic places it is more possible for men to express physical affection for one another than in the west. It has been speculated and argued that since it’s “not possible” to be gay in these places, holding hands doesn’t threaten to make you look gay, so you can do it. There’s obviously way more to such cultural differences than something so simple but I am quite open to believing that it plays a role in this.