First anti-immigrant encounter
 

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.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

yes, and?

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Dementia?

Or just normal stupidity?

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

I suspect not dementia, he seemed all there until he heard my voice, and went off on one; normal stupidity gets my vote.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

:lol:

Not a nice experience, Kim, but some people do have a problem with immigrants and aren't too clear on the difference between other countries. Hope you didn't get into any trouble with your boss.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

A Santorum supporter ;)

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

No I will be fine. If there is any fall out it will fall on him. He is new to the center, and the regulars were not impressed.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Did you suggest he move to Bradford?

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Does it justify that?

Out of interest, how long have you been here Kimilseung in order to experience that?

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Well apparently it isn't British any more, so he wouldn't have to worry about that.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

6 years.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Depends on the topic you covered .... Sorry for your encounter, but without more info, it is just unknown.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Wouldn't that count as cruel and unusual punishment?

:D

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

It would have been tempting to follow-up with either -
I'm sorry that you feel that way, Sir. In fairness, there isn't any revelation I could possibly say which hasn't been said before...

"Well, perhaps you would be more comfortable with your regular insulter, but he happened to call in sick today, so I'm afraid you're stuck with me..."

Both would have probably landed you in a bit of trouble.
I once had a similar experience with the ol' 'wtf' face... normally respond with "Opinions vary" and just move right along...

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.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

There's always:
"Yeah, It's called the first amendment, it applies to everyone in this country."

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!

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.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

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.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

So you're from Bradford too then?:D

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

:lol: it would seem so.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Talking Bradford. Georgie boy is back! :D

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

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.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

And here he is. Nice tan, too.

Does this mean that Bradford is back in England?

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Plainly not - it is being renamed to Bradfordistan as we speak.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

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.)

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

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.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

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?

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

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.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Anthropogenic Correct.

(Sorry: couldn't help myself :))

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

How American of you LOL.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

I used to often get comments about how the Americans sent over lots of rifles to help the UK during WW2 and didn't get them back. I looked this up and found out that the British government bought them from the US, and actually finished off paying for them in 2004 due to the long loan terms. So after that I told them that if they wanted them back they'd have to buy them back. I guess this got around since I haven't been asked about it since!

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

90% discount, interest free, over 65 years is pretty much the same as a gift, isn't it?

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

I'd be more sympathetic if they hadn't been three years late to the party.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Strange how, looking back to WW2, most people blame the USA for not being the world's police force and being reticent to join the war. How times change. :sneaky:

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Didn't want them to be the world's police force. Wanted them to help save large swathes of the world from immediate fascism and death.

The military operations the US now engages in are very different, from the most part, and often tend to be connected both to supporting right-wing regimes and to the location of petroleum products. Not quite the same thing.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Of course it's not.

Re: First anti-immigrant encounter
 

Well, that clears that up then.