My story: I came over from Dubai to Canada with my husband (who is a diplomat sent by the UAE government, and I just came to enjoy the Canadian scenery and cool weather) and we went to the grocery store. Naturally I kept on my "National Dress" which consists of an Abaya and Shayla. These garments are both in black and cover all but the face and hands (worn for Islamic & cultural reasons). The two women at the cashier openly made fun of my clothes assuming we couldnt understand English. I turned pink and my husband informed them that we knew what they were saying and demanded to speak to their supervisor at once. They said he wasnt there (which is a lie because there is always a supervisor on duty) so our Embassy called their main office and lodged a formal complaint. These women were told to apologize to me and even though the manager at the store offered to fire them, we said it was alright. I scolded them though (it was funny cuz i am only 18 and they are in their 40's).
2006-12-17 15:31:39 · 12 answers · asked by Al-Imaratiyya 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Wow so it seems that people from every background or different culture or with different ideas has gotten dissed in public...thats sad! Also Sortega thanks for understanding about the Muslim woman point of view on why we dress:D...everyone else, sorry for these unfortunate incidents!!!
2006-12-18 08:33:22 · update #1
Never like that, no. What happened to you is horrible, and I really can't understand why some people are so offended or hateful about a Muslim woman's clothing choice. At least she has the decency to cover her body. There are lots of women out there who show off the whole thing or dress like trash, and no one laughs at them. Must have been funny to see the looks on their faces while they apologized to a girl half their age though.
2006-12-17 16:27:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
There will always be people who are rude and insecure about themselves. They make fun of others to make themselves feel better. I am white, but born and raised in Japan. When I was on my way home from school (around age 13), this one old man came up to me and started yelling about how my country is terrible for bombing Japan, and I should go back to America. The funny part is, I'm probably just as Japanese as he is, and yet have always been seen as an outsider. It hurts, but I realize that I can only control my actions, not others. So for now, I am volunteering to share Japanese culture with Americans, to help lower the number of uninformed and culturally stupid people.
2006-12-17 16:20:34 · answer #2 · answered by tankgirl190 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone gets discriminated in public but most don't show it. By the way, I was born in Dubai 19 years ago and moved here in 1998 with an Indian passport which me and my parents and other brother gave up and am now a proud Canadian Citizen who exercises the right to vote.
2006-12-17 15:35:36 · answer #3 · answered by Trapped in a Box 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, in Sydney while watching the Mardi Gras
There were all these people seated just in front of a rope barricade. To get a better view, my friends and I tried to do the same when we heard this loud nasally voice telling us to "Stop crawling like dogs, you f**king chinks!". This from a woman who was trying to squeeze into the front with her friends.
Ironically, this incident happened at a parade to celebrate freedom and tolerance and I had thought that it extended to race as well. Sure cleared up my doubts about where "chinks" stand or sit
2006-12-17 17:39:15 · answer #4 · answered by warasouth 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No disrespect but I have a worse example. You see I was discriminated against by my own race and religeon. I volunteered for service in the US Navy in 1966. In 1968 at a sports event 100 of us were spit on and stoned by a a group of Vietnam war protestors. We were wearing the uniform of our Navy and Marine Corps. We were defending their right to protest. Most of us were NOT volunteers........we were drafted. Hate is the commom point in our stories. When will humans learn not to hate strangers? When will we learn who deserves our hate?..I think you behaved well. I'm afraid I behaved more violently..........several hundred protestors went to the hospital that day. I will not try to judge whether they deserved what they got. They should have expected what they got. Those who dress and live outside the local norm Will attract attention, reguardless of race, religeon or color. Be realistic, expect situations to occur and do as you have done. Demand and expect respect while in compliance with the local laws. Step outside the law and You are just another criminal. I have been discriminated against in 23 foreign countries. When U are discriminated in your home town then U have Real trouble.
2006-12-17 16:31:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
My first introduction to discrimination was getting yelled at for being stupid when I as what "colored" meant above a water fountain and asked if the water was special. After serving in the army (bang, bang, bomb,bomb) I let my hair grow and was not allowed in some stores because I was told I was certainly a "commie/hippie/drug addict". I missed out (was denied) promotions because of my religion. These are minor compared to what others are forced to endure. But, it has made me certain that fighting discrimination is a human responsibility.
2006-12-17 15:57:05 · answer #6 · answered by metoo 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
People are really ignorant of what they don't know. It was quite unfortunate that this have happen, but it's not rare at all. Muslim women who don traditional Islamic garments are victimized a lot in North America especially since 9/11. I certainly hope that it would not happen again. Peace be unto you.
2006-12-17 15:43:39 · answer #7 · answered by Maria Gallercia 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes i have been discriminated against in public.
Yelled at by Aboriginals that I'm a White B^%& and i should be ashamed of being White.
If anything it only affects my feelings towards there own culture.
2006-12-17 17:48:11 · answer #8 · answered by A Lady Dragon 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm white, and my boyfriend is black. We're both from predominantly white areas, and every time we go out together we're openly stared at and people say a lot of horrible things. Once a woman called him nasty names when he held a door open for her, and when I first started going out with him a group of people I went to school with threw eggs at me when I was walking home. It gets hard sometimes to deal with how ignorant people can be, but people who discriminate without getting to know a person usually aren't worth getting to know themselves.
2006-12-17 15:47:40 · answer #9 · answered by xxkillerxxqueenxx 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No, I am a heterosexual, white, woman whom live in America. But, I am sorry for you or anyone else that have been discriminated against.
2006-12-17 18:23:21 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋