Why do people start speaking to me in loud, slow English when they see me wearing hijab?

Question

Strangers speak to me in loud, slow English and often appear to be playing charades when they see me wearing hijab.

HELLO, I AM NOT ILLETERATE, I AM NOT OPPRESSED AND I WASN'T FORCED TO WEAR HIJAB

Answer 1

i know.. it is funny.. forgive me but it is sister.. happens to my sister too...

she is studing linguistic and french and knows more english words than most of the people i know...

one time at the store, the lady at the cashier did that, my sister got mad and started talking to her in vocab even i can't understand... the cashier was looking so confused.. i almost died laughing... hahhaha funniest moment ever..

we got out of the store without buying anything... on my sister's command .. i really wanted that TWIX

Answer 2

I guess some arrogant people think that you can't be from a Western country, and still be Muslim, much less where a hijab. They have no idea that in many Islamic nations, like the UAE and Lebanon, the hijab is optional, the only one who can make you wear it is yourself. These people probably think you are some poor immigrant who would beaten by her husband if she didn't wear it.

When this happens again, respond to them using some very advanced vocabulary, impeccable pronunciation, and a thick accent from whatever country you're living in. This will tell them you DO speak Engilsh, but it's not really rude.

Answer 3

yea i always thought this was funny. Im an American convert to islam and i've been in honors English classes since i was in middle school.... however, when i wore hijab people would always complimented my English... b/ they assumed it was my second language.

It would make my life easier if more people understood the hijab. I, personally, don't understand ignorance. We live in an age where anything you want to know is at the tip of your fingertips... a small amount of time can win the battle against ignorance (in my opinion)

Peace and Blessings,
Sakina

Answer 4

Most people are idiots. Just like they speak loudly to a deaf person. As if the loudness will make the person less deaf.

Or if a person speaks broken English, they think they must reply in broken English.

btw, I like the hijab, and I am a Christian. And I am glad you show respect for yourself by wearing it. And you have my respect by wearing it.

Answer 5

Wearing the hijab makes you seem unassimilated into American culture. People who are unassimilated are usually first or second generation immigrants. First generation immigrants usually do not have very good English, this is why they speak loudly and slowly. No one is implying that you are oppressed, they are merely under the assumption that your english is not very good based on your display of unassimilated cultire.

Answer 6

LOL. I have no idea, but I admit I have caught myself doing this very thing. Not so much because of the hijab, but heavy accents tend to put me in loud-slow mode. Stupid, I know. It's not like it helps. People either understand me or they don't. Unless they don't because they're hearing impaired (not deaf, but impaired), getting louder won't help.

Answer 7

Would people look at me in a queer way if I walked into a mosque wearing a pair of undershorts ?
A hijab in America is as out of place as a witch doctor at the Governer's ball.
To be a full American, you have to act like the vast majority of Americans, talk like Americans, dress like Americans,and have the desire to be an American. If you would rather be a halfassed American - - that's a different story.

Answer 8

Because they think you're probably a recent immigrant and can't speak English very well. The same thing would happen if you were wearing a sari, a kimono, or other "non-Western" attire. It's stupid, but that's how people think.

Answer 9

If people were to wear hygienic masks and chirurgical gloves before dealing with you, would you feel more insulted ? Think about it.
——————

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-- George Bernard Shaw
.
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
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-- Unknown.
.
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-- P.J. O'Rourke
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-- Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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-- Aldous Huxley

" To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle."
-- George Orwell
.

Answer 10

Because they can't see your face, so they can't see if you understand them or are listening to them or not. You may not be illiterate, but you seem to have a fundamental lack of understanding about how you wearing the hijab makes other people feel. Wear it if you want, but just be aware of how other people feel about it and don't get narked about it. Maybe the reactions you get are the price you have to pay for following your religion so strictly....be happy about it....really religious people always like to feel they're suffering for their religion - catholics, protestants, jews, muslims - we're all the same - we think a little bit of suffering makes us a better person - maybe we're right.

Answer 11

Well, they're being considerate. They assume that you might be a recently arrived foreigner. As soon as you answer back in your fluent fashion they will stop doing it.

And you spelled illiterate wrong by the way. Thats quite comical and ironic :)