Treatment from the locals; your experiences

[betazed 0]

Do any of you have any stories of the local people in your new city being hostile or welcoming towards you because you are a "foreigner"? Not so much your race, but the fact that you are a foreign national (and therefore NOT american)?

My husband and I are watching CNN right now, and they're having a discussion on immigration & employment opportunities in the current & future economy. For myself, the transition from Vancouver to Seattle isn't drastic (so, no stories of hostility from the locals here), but as noted, it's not a major transition.

So VJ members, I'm (and I'm sure many others) very interested in hearing about your experiences of how the locals treat you.

[trinket 30]

Do any of you have any stories of the local people in your new city being hostile or welcoming towards you because you are a "foreigner"? Not so much your race, but the fact that you are a foreign national (and therefore NOT american)?

My husband and I are watching CNN right now, and they're having a discussion on immigration & employment opportunities in the current & future economy. For myself, the transition from Vancouver to Seattle isn't drastic (so, no stories of hostility from the locals here), but as noted, it's not a major transition.

So VJ members, I'm (and I'm sure many others) very interested in hearing about your experiences of how the locals treat you.

I have been really treated well. There have been a few ignorant comments here and there but people have been really friendly to me.

I took it on me from the very start to go out on my own; I don't drive, so I had to rely on bus. Whenever I needed any help regarding schedule of bus or which milk(back in India you don't have different fat percent of milks like out here) to buy in a grocery stores, I would directly approach someone, telling them how I am new to this country and if they could help me and I have always gotten help, some even took time to explain things to me in a very polite and friendly way.

The driver of bus route I usually ride on is now kind of friend to me, he always asks me what I cooked for the day or teases me sometime how the bus fare has increased, just to see my reaction

Both me and my husband never thought that the transition would be so smooth for me, I actually had fear before coming to US that people will have hard time understanding my accent, but it has been far from what we anticipated.

The only ignorant thing I heard has been – If I am from slums or not; well they got the idea of every Indian living in slums from that movie – Slumdog Millionaire but other than that its cool.

Oh and the people who actually disappointed me were people of Indian origin, I don’t know why but they just cut the conversation short as soon as they get to know that I am in an inter-racial marriage. But I am not that disappointed over that.

Overall my socializing experience out here has been fantastic. People are friendly and helpful, I couldn’t have asked for more.

Edited June 27, 2009 by trinket

[kaffy 2]

They treat me very well. No hostility, no dramas, no bad experiences

[ao_cons 1]

Been in the US for only a short while. But so far no bad experiences. Everyone is polite and helpful when needed. It probably depends on where you're going to live. In the west coast, foreigners and immigrants have a very strong presence. So locals are used to it. I've never even been asked what country I'm from.

[faryan 4]

im in iowa, and just been here for about 4 months. so far the locals that i have encountered been mostly friendly and nice, especially the older folks. im going to start my first job here in the US next week, so i will be exposed to more locals then and will be able to update more in the future. but the fact that i was shortlisted and interviewed and subsequently offered a job, i feel that they really value diversity too on top of other consideration before i came to the midwest, i have my worries of course, but i now further realise that one shouldnt have a pre-conceived notion about anything. even if there was an incident at a local goodwill whereby a man was talking loudly (and my hubby thought it was directed at me?) about "them foreigners/illegals coming to the US and using our tax money etc etc etc", but hey he was just an angry man, and his type is everywhere, not just here in the US

[English Muffin 59]

I've been treated very well, everyone seems to love my British accent.

[Krikit 1,165]

I have had absolutely no bad experiences. Everyone here is lovely and I couldn't ask for better. In fact, I find the people here much friendlier than where I come from. The only speedbumps I have run into are accents and wording. Sometimes people don't understand me, and sometimes I don't understand them. Usually people will ask me "What does that mean?" Or myself or the other person will rephrase what they said so it is understood when we see the confusion in each other's eyes. Never in an unkind manner, though. My husband acts as translator in the US, and I act as translator when the roles are reversed. Even after all these years we still encounter words, phrases, or situations which are new to us. It's interesting. Like learning a whole new language.

[TBoneTX 45,900]

It's interesting. Like learning a whole new language.

Si, man, eh. Seriously, it's gladdening to read these positive stories.

[venusfire503 54]

He did have a problem getting a job until he started using an American name. On his resume, he now puts his first-name initial, then "John" (his unofficial middle name), then his 'last' name.

The worst was the officer in the airport who interviewed him, and then me, when he first got here (Dec 2006) - she said some horrible things about Moroccans (that they beat up their wives, steal their money, then run off). After insulting me (about my looks, age, and weight) and saying I didn't have to marry him and could send him back without penalty, etc, she said something about going back there after 2 years, crying to her because he'd leave. It kind of ruined the excitement of his arrival.

Anyway, other than that, it's been varied. Some people have been really excited to talk with him, because he's from exotic Morocco. Others (including some family/friends) have been visibly uncomfortable around him unless/until they got to know him. Nothing was said outright, but I've seen many of these people around other new (but 'the same kind' of) people (as them), and it wasn't the same. Irritating, really.

This was kind of funny - my kids thought he was 'black' because he's not "European white". I say he's dark white - heehee (just kidding). The weird thing was trying to explain to one of my sisters that he really IS caucasian. I actually had to google 'caucasian' and send her the link. I think she's still not convinced.

I'm sure many of you have experienced/witnessed this - the almost obligatory "so, how do you like it here?" when meeting people. It's odd how such a simple question can be so complicated. Poor guy doesn't know how to answer. If he says he loves it, he could get a comment about how the US is so much better than his country, or get that "oh, it was the greencard" look. If he acts less than thrilled, he might get the "then go back to your own country" thing. So he says something about loving to be here with his wife. I often add how I told him before he got here that there would be things he'd love about this country, and some things he wouldn't love. Which is true (for USCs as well as the SOs)!

The good thing is, the people we spend time with (of course) aren't a problem. We just are never sure of the reactions of strangers.

It's much easier now. When he first got here, he couldn't really understand (or be understood by) anyone other than me. He often felt like people were staring at him when we went anywhere. Now, his English is not a problem, and he doesn't feel like he's on display. I'm really happy about that - and impressed with him.

This is an interesting idea for a topic, betazed!

venusfire

[Dave and Helena 0]

I love this thread.

I too dread the obligatory "So how do you like it here" question or the even worse "Which do you like better, the U.S or Sweden". Last time my husband laid into the person asking it saying "that was a stupid question". My standard answer is there are good and bad things with both countries.

In general people here are much nicer and welcoming than they are in Sweden. People love to help you out if needed. I love taking my walk in the morning and saying "hi" to people I don't know, even here in the "big city". To begin with I really hated the "excuse me's" in the grocery store and constantly came home pissed of since I took it as a bit snyde but these days I hardly notice it any more just say "Oh I am sorry" and move on.

My pet peeve though is the confusion between Swedes and Swiss. People here ask me where I am from and I reply Sweden, they then continue by telling me what nice watches we make or how good our chocolate is. Even worse, my husband once took it upon himself to tell a friend to deliberately make this mistake just to grind my gears and give him and the friend a good laugh.

[HikerMark 5]

I have been here for just over seven months and have always felt welcome where ever I go. I always amused by the number of people who love the English accent. It happens quite often at checkouts when they ask where I come from and then get a big smile on their face as they say they love the accent. My wife has one colleague at work who would love me to read novels to her.

Initially I felt quite self conscious about opening my mouth as it is then obvious you are not American but most people are so welcoming I don't think twice about it now.

[Gemmie 142]

I've only been living here (officially) for 2 weeks but everyone has been welcoming here so far. I found that in the city area, there are quite a few foreigners.

I went out by myself for the first time the other day and felt so brave just for buying some shampoo, as I was quite nervous about the accent or not understanding something. I also felt so proud for using the subway by myself, and asking people questions by myself. It's things like that that make me realise I'm being silly, and that I'm not going to be made a fool of. I'm growing in confidence.

I agree with the dislike of "how do you like America" or "how does it feel to be home"... truthfully, I want to acknowledge that there are parts of the country that I don't like, and that I miss my loved ones back home so much, but then I sound ungrateful and negative, so have to just say something like "I like it" or "feels great". That's what most people want to hear anyway.

Then again, it is amusing to hear people ask questions like "so do you have BBQs in England?" That kinda balances it out a little.

[TBoneTX 45,900]

Welcome to the Colonies, Gemmie, si man! Things will continue to get easier for you. If you have butterflies in your stomach, tell them to fly in formation.

Also, update your timeline, si man!

Edited June 29, 2009 by TBoneTX

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I'm sure many of you have experienced/witnessed this - the almost obligatory "so, how do you like it here?" when meeting people. It's odd how such a simple question can be so complicated. Poor guy doesn't know how to answer. If he says he loves it, he could get a comment about how the US is so much better than his country, or get that "oh, it was the greencard" look. If he acts less than thrilled, he might get the "then go back to your own country" thing. So he says something about loving to be here with his wife. I often add how I told him before he got here that there would be things he'd love about this country, and some things he wouldn't love. Which is true (for USCs as well as the SOs)!

My husband's stock answer is to slightly change the subject and say he would have picked elsewhere here than Indiana and wants out as soon as possible (probably late next spring)...and many people readily agree with him.

[miss g 1]

Do any of you have any stories of the local people in your new city being hostile or welcoming towards you because you are a "foreigner"? Not so much your race, but the fact that you are a foreign national (and therefore NOT american)?

My husband and I are watching CNN right now, and they're having a discussion on immigration & employment opportunities in the current & future economy. For myself, the transition from Vancouver to Seattle isn't drastic (so, no stories of hostility from the locals here), but as noted, it's not a major transition.

So VJ members, I'm (and I'm sure many others) very interested in hearing about your experiences of how the locals treat you.

Oh and the people who actually disappointed me were people of Indian origin, I don’t know why but they just cut the conversation short as soon as they get to know that I am in an inter-racial marriage. But I am not that disappointed over that.

Overall my socializing experience out here has been fantastic. People are friendly and helpful, I couldn’t have asked for more.

what douches.. the thing that irritated me was wen i was driving.. PROPerly I had someone criticise me..

i find that other women have been kinda bitchy...but i dont care.. u have to just remember why you are there