is this a religious thing?

[laRubiaBonita]

on occassion i have seen males with a middle eastern skin tone, and they have a string tied either around their waste if they are little boys, or over one shoulder and under the opposite arm if they are men.

as far as i can tell these strings are worn all the time, i usually see them at the pool.

 

anyone know?

[blind_otter]

I think you are referring to tzitzis:

 

http://www.beingjewish.com/mitzvos/tzitzis.html