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First anti-immigrant encounter

First anti-immigrant encounter

Old Mar 29th 2012, 7:37 pm
  #16  
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

God how awful, I'm sorry that happened. I've had loads said to me in the pub here (american in the UK), but at least then I can respond freely. when you're 'on the job' it's a difficult situation to handle.
I had a boss once who didn't see me in the room when she launched into something, then spotted me. I just shook my head and told her I was disappointed in her.
I never know exactly how to respond to the 'what gives you the right...' comment. I usually say something about if I'm good enought to pay taxes, etc.
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Old Mar 29th 2012, 8:20 pm
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

Originally Posted by kimilseung
"So you come over from England, and insult America"
There's always:
"Yeah, It's called the first amendment, it applies to everyone in this country."
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Old Mar 29th 2012, 8:24 pm
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

I had a customer (who was not getting her own way) tell me to 'go back to my own country and learn to speak English', silly cow!
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Old Mar 29th 2012, 8:27 pm
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

In the almost 10 years I've been here, the only anti-Brit comments I've come across have been wind-ups, by either family, friends or colleagues.
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Old Mar 29th 2012, 10:39 pm
  #20  
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

Originally Posted by Uncle Ebenezer
In the almost 10 years I've been here, the only anti-Brit comments I've come across have been wind-ups, by either family, friends or colleagues.
You made me think me of a black tutor I had at college, she was chatting one day and said, "I've never been called a nigger", quick as a flash someone came back, "You need to get out more!"

The only time we had a tirade was from a crazed neighbour whom I asked to drive slower (she speeds around madly in a Porsche and there are no sidewalks). She started screaming at the 4 of us to "Get back to London - or Pakistan - it's the same thing" and then threatened to run us over.
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Old Mar 29th 2012, 11:04 pm
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

Originally Posted by Sally Redux
She started screaming at the 4 of us to "Get back to London - or Pakistan - it's the same thing" and then threatened to run us over.

So you're from Bradford too then?
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Old Mar 29th 2012, 11:06 pm
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter
So you're from Bradford too then?
it would seem so.
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Old Mar 30th 2012, 1:52 am
  #23  
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter
So you're from Bradford too then?
Talking Bradford. Georgie boy is back!
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Old Mar 30th 2012, 2:02 am
  #24  
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

Originally Posted by kimilseung
I think I just was at the wrong end of my first anti-immigrant encounter.

There was I being all nice giving a presentation, when one guys decides to completely misinterpret what I was saying, as in, no word of what I said bore any relation to what he was going on about.

"What are you a Russian or a Jap?" (this had me a little confused, I have been assumed to be Russian before, but never Japanese)

"I am from England"

"So you come over from England, and insult America"

blah blah blah, he stands up and I thought he was going to have a go, he was an old geezer, it was a seniors center, but that was not going to look good to my boss, I go promoting our services and start a fight.

Anyway he leaves, and the others apologise for him. It was an interesting experience.
That sucks!

I've had a few bad experiences, mostly the insults and ignorance about socialism, cameras and "you guys have no guns". It's bullshit and I try to ignore it, but I am one of the few patriotic Brits and my patriotism is so strong that I do not let that nonsense slide.
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Old Mar 30th 2012, 12:14 pm
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

Originally Posted by kimilseung
Talking Bradford. Georgie boy is back!
And here he is. Nice tan, too.

Does this mean that Bradford is back in England?
Attached Thumbnails First anti-immigrant encounter-bradford.jpg  
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Old Mar 30th 2012, 2:58 pm
  #26  
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter
And here he is. Nice tan, too.

Does this mean that Bradford is back in England?
Plainly not - it is being renamed to Bradfordistan as we speak.
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Old Mar 30th 2012, 3:28 pm
  #27  
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

Originally Posted by Ethelred_the_Unready
I've had a few bad experiences, mostly the insults and ignorance about socialism, cameras and "you guys have no guns".
I've found I cannot let myself get into conversations with anyone here in the US about politics or religion, and it's amazing how many conversations want to veer towards one or another . . . or both, now that the election is looming. This includes extended family members too--in fact it's worse with the relatives! It's too bad because I'm a dual & can intellectually understand where both sides are coming from. But when Americans start their knee-jerk clueless ranting against socialism & the NHS I have to walk away. Just walk away. (They should be so lucky as to *ever* experience anything even remotely similarly civilized in this country.)
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Old Mar 30th 2012, 4:55 pm
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

Originally Posted by WEBlue
I've found I cannot let myself get into conversations with anyone here in the US about politics or religion, and it's amazing how many conversations want to veer towards one or another . . . or both, now that the election is looming. This includes extended family members too--in fact it's worse with the relatives! It's too bad because I'm a dual & can intellectually understand where both sides are coming from. But when Americans start their knee-jerk clueless ranting against socialism & the NHS I have to walk away. Just walk away. (They should be so lucky as to *ever* experience anything even remotely similarly civilized in this country.)
I used to be such a nice person. Now that I've moved back to the US I'm always on the verge of arguing with someone. Any conversation that strays into politics..... it's just best if I don't go out in public much these days.
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Old Mar 30th 2012, 5:35 pm
  #29  
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

Originally Posted by Deeks
I used to be such a nice person. Now that I've moved back to the US I'm always on the verge of arguing with someone. Any conversation that strays into politics..... it's just best if I don't go out in public much these days.
It's easy to find ignorance wherever you live: I just ignore it; nothing you can say or do will change their minds so why waste the effort?
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Old Mar 30th 2012, 5:43 pm
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Default Re: First anti-immigrant encounter

Originally Posted by WEBlue
I've found I cannot let myself get into conversations with anyone here in the US about politics or religion, and it's amazing how many conversations want to veer towards one or another . . . or both, now that the election is looming. This includes extended family members too--in fact it's worse with the relatives! It's too bad because I'm a dual & can intellectually understand where both sides are coming from. But when Americans start their knee-jerk clueless ranting against socialism & the NHS I have to walk away. Just walk away. (They should be so lucky as to *ever* experience anything even remotely similarly civilized in this country.)
Yes! Often, anything turns into a political argument. If I talk about the weather for example, I've had instances where Al Gore and liberals have been brought into the conversation, as in trying to say that global warming doesn't exist.

I avoid most conversations here period as I get very easily angered and offended by such blatant and intentional ignorance.

I do understand the mistrust of government here and the fact that guns are sort of political statement rather than being anything to brag about, but I wish that many Americans would give me and the UK the same respect, i.e. that we do a lot of things differently and it's not about right or wrong or black or white; a lot of Americans never want to be seen as wrong, unlike a British person who will back down from an argument and walk away.
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