A lot of people here in the US need to develop a more global view. Many who are born or grew up here, and who have never been out of this country much, take on an attitude that if you're not from here, then you come from some backwater and that you do not know much. If you got here recently, whether it's to stay or just to visit, you will definitely get your share of questions. Here were a few of mine.
"You have a college degree!?" - I was asked in shock when I was having a conversation with someone about master's degrees and mentioned pondering over getting one.
"Are you willing to clean?" - When someone heard that my previous work visa expired and I was waiting for the new US work permit to kick in.
"You speak English so well!" - Someone uttered during a casual conversation.
"You came here on a work visa? How did you do that!?" - Incredulously exclaimed by someone when I answered his question of how I got here.
"So how much do you like it here?" - Someone asked me who assumes that nothing is better than being in the US.
Obviously, these questions come from individuals who lack some couth. In a roundabout way, I usually end up trying to pique their curiosity, and encourage them to read up on other countries, if they can't or won't travel and see the world. I am only too happy to have the opportunity to correct someone's gross misconceptions of people who are "fresh off the boat".
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3 comments:
Are they older people? I have been fortunate enough never to have been asked these ignorant questions in the U.S. or Canada. Well, there was one classmate back in the 5th grade in Canada who resented me correcting her English! :)
All ages and all races, Tin! There are small minds everywhere. :)
I had the same experience with an American classmate who spent a year in our school in Manila. I would use words sometimes that she never heard of and asked me what it meant. When I would tell her the meaning or explain to her a grammatical error, she would make a face. It was pretty funny to me then until one day I realized that I sucked at speaking and writing proper Tagalog, so we were no different. Haha!
I know ,,,tell me about it! hahahaa! ignoramus..hehehehe! *wink* Great Blog Pia! painspire/copya next time.. ha? hehehe! :P
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