Re: the shoe thing
Not just the Middle East, but also in most of Asia - Shoes have symbolism.
Look at how many cultures have a ritual removal of shoes for "good" activities - e.g. Moslems remove shoes to enter a Mosque. Japanese remove shoes on entering the home.
You need to understand how strong a statement the "striking with shoes" is in the M.E. - It is literally like smearing excrement on the subject, with the added benefit that your own hands stay clean!
So rewind that tape and watch the young lad again, and consider quite how strong his comment is !!