In the novel the kite runner when amir is in america, he meets soraya. her father interrupts their conversation addressing the appropriateness of their interaction with the following line

"You know bachem, I have grown rather fond of you. You are a decent boy, I really believe that, but--even decent boys need reminding sometimes. So it's my duty to remind you that you are among peers in this flea market. You see everyone here is a storyteller."
In chapter 12 of the book, Amir, for weeks now, goes to Soraya's booth to talk to her when her father is away. During one of his visits, he gives Soraya one of his stories but General Taheri appears. He takes the pages and discards them at a garbage can. General Taheri reminds Amir that he is among other Afghans and that they will gossip. This is his way of saying that Amir is acting inappropriately and that even though they are in America, their community still follows the rules of Afghanistan. They stick to those old rules and Amir should not disobey them.