My instructor's rant

[RFQ 110]

REALLY? Isn't that just a bit insensitive?? I mean first of all my husband doesn't even live in the MIDDLE EAST. Second of all-- what does he know about it? It was okay when he first told me to be careful (on my upcoming trip), but then he got really incessant about how bad it is over there. I tried to explain a bit about say... how the protests in Cairo are pretty consolidated and the city has more people than our state x4, so the turmoil is rather small really. Its not like I'm going to the Sinai Peninsula border or anything. But every time I tried to enlighten him he stressed even stronger "You're AMERICAN."

He made it sound like t I'm American and that automatically mean everyone is on a witch hunt for me. I really resented that attitude, especially the unwillingness to here anything else.

Whadyya think? Am I being overly sensitive to the comments?

*edited misspellings*

Edited November 27, 2012 by RFQ

[Golden Gate 530]

People here are narrow-minded and can't see outside their own experiences.

If they have never been to some place like that, they just can't imagine what it is like. All

they imagine is what they hear in the news which is such a distortion of reality. You have to

just brush off what he says. I hear the same stuff right here in my own family - it's so annoying.

Just makes you realize how limited peoples' lives are, that they can't see outside their own boxes.

[RFQ 110]

People here are narrow-minded and can't see outside their own experiences.

If they have never been to some place like that, they just can't imagine what it is like. All

they imagine is what they hear in the news which is such a distortion of reality. You have to

just brush off what he says. I hear the same stuff right here in my own family - it's so annoying.

Just makes you realize how limited peoples' lives are, that they can't see outside their own boxes.

Y'know, I expect it from my family a bit. They actually care about me and have a right to discuss this stuff with me. It just irked me that it was my instructor. I do pay this guys salary in part. I don't pay him to give me his narrow minded opinion. Whats worse is that we JUST did a section on culture sensitivity. smh.

[RFQ 110]

Off topic, but tangent of the bit about families and their skewed points of veiws-- SOMEHOW the womens in my husbands family think us American women marry guys, take half their worth, and then divorce them. *facepalm* Got to love media.

And back to my instructor thing-- cuz I'm not sure I'm done ranting on the issue.

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He definitely didn't want to hear nothing about Muslim, Islam, my common religion with the majority of MENA residents...and what that means. He doesn't come across as racist or rude, in his defense. Just sometimes I am shocked at insensitivity...

[Bumbero 130]

I fail to see how "Be Careful" can be taken as strongly as you have. You ARE American, there are travel warnings for US citizens all around the world. You are more then likely going to be JUST fine during your trip but that doesn't mean you should let your guard down.

It's not JUST terrorist attacks or kidnappings you have to worry about! You ARE American and you CAN be a target for petty theives as well.

I didn't feel threatened at all during my trip to the Philippines but that does not mean that I didn't watch for stupid crooks targeting me. Why? Because I'm American, it was obvious to them and I stuck out like a sore thumb.

I'm sure you have already read this page but here is the Dept. of State's website for travel to Egypt. It does talk about more then just terrorist activity on it, up to and including small crimes to watch out for.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1108.html

Also, it mentions the Embassy STEP program. It's always a good idea to register with that was well.

Have a safe trip, and not just because you're American!

Edited November 27, 2012 by Bumbero

[RFQ 110]

I fail to see how "Be Careful" can be taken as strongly as you have. You ARE American, there are travel warnings for US citizens all around the world. You are more then likely going to be JUST fine during your trip but that doesn't mean you should let your guard down.

It's not JUST terrorist attacks or kidnappings you have to worry about! You ARE American and you CAN be a target for petty theives as well.

I didn't feel threatened at all during my trip to the Philippines but that does not mean that I didn't watch for stupid crooks targeting me. Why? Because I'm American, it was obvious to them and I stuck out like a sore thumb.

I'm sure you have already read this page but here is the Dept. of State's website for travel to Egypt. It does talk about more then just terrorist activity on it, up to and including small crimes to watch out for.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1108.html

Also, it mentions the Embassy STEP program. It's always a good idea to register with that was well.

Have a safe trip, and not just because you're American!

yeah I get it-- Americans are targets, but the reasons you're talking about and the reasons he had in mind were different. I dunno if you KWIM. What you're saying is reasonable, but my instructor was not saying it the same way.

Plus I doubt I'm the typical American target. Unless I open my mouth, I'll blend a bit better than most tourist because I don't dress American.... Most Americans don't think I'm American. >.<

If he'd just said, "Be Careful, you're American in a foreign place" thats one thing. but insulting an entire region (and not even the correct region that I'm heading) as being a "BAD" place.... that is an entire other thing.

Edited November 27, 2012 by RFQ

[AmericanExpat 18]

Most people in the US have never been out of the US... Yes, it is going to give them a closed minded view of things, and their main source of information is the news. You can't change that. Only thing that would is them leaving the comfort of their couches and exploring the world we live in a bit...

Your an American, married to an Egyptian. Time to get thick skin, and don't expect people to be accepting. They won't be, even the ones that seem ok with it will change their tune real quick if anything happens. I go through it all the time. Half the people think my wife trapped me, or that she was a call-girl I fell for. The other half focus on religion. There's just no getting around it.

Human nature is usually not humane.

[Bumbero 130]

yeah I get it-- Americans are targets, but the reasons you're talking about and the reasons he had in mind were different. I dunno if you KWIM. What you're saying is reasonable, but my instructor was not saying it the same way.

Plus I doubt I'm the typical American target. Unless I open my mouth, I'll blend a bit better than most tourist because I don't dress American.... Most Americans don't think I'm American. >.<

If he'd just said, "Be Careful, you're American in a foreign place" thats one thing. but insulting an entire region (and not even the correct region that I'm heading) as being a "BAD" place.... that is an entire other thing.

Just out of curiousity, what is KWIM?

Okay, maybe I read the post more as concern on his behalf rather then an attack on the region. It is hard to interpret emotion while reading text.

Anyways, you're lucky you fit in a little easier. That does help I'm sure. I sure don't!

Have a great trip!

[RFQ 110]

Just out of curiousity, what is KWIM?

Okay, maybe I read the post more as concern on his behalf rather then an attack on the region. It is hard to interpret emotion while reading text.

Anyways, you're lucky you fit in a little easier. That does help I'm sure. I sure don't!

Have a great trip!

Thanks!! 29 days...but who's counting yeah?

I can totally see how it could be interpreted as just concern. It really is hard to capture the tone of someone else's voice in writing lol!

KWIM= is lazy for, Know what I mean.

[Bumbero 130]

Thanks!! 29 days...but who's counting yeah?

I can totally see how it could be interpreted as just concern. It really is hard to capture the tone of someone else's voice in writing lol!

KWIM= is lazy for, Know what I mean.

Awesome! I know what you mean about "who's counting?" I have an Ap on my phone that counts down for me. So, every few days I would post on my Fiancee's FB page "XXdays, XXhours, XXmins, XXsecs" And end it with "But who's counting??" LOL

Thanks for the acronym clarification, NOW I feel old! HAHA

[RFQ 110]

Most people in the US have never been out of the US... Yes, it is going to give them a closed minded view of things, and their main source of information is the news. You can't change that. Only thing that would is them leaving the comfort of their couches and exploring the world we live in a bit...

Your an American, married to an Egyptian. Time to get thick skin, and don't expect people to be accepting. They won't be, even the ones that seem ok with it will change their tune real quick if anything happens. I go through it all the time. Half the people think my wife trapped me, or that she was a call-girl I fell for. The other half focus on religion. There's just no getting around it.

Human nature is usually not humane.

Oh good heavens! I'm guessing people have said that too you... tsk tsk.

Yeah thick skin I have. I have to. I'm a Muslim in a red state.

it just behooves me that(I kid you not!)I just took a final today from this same instructor, and part of what it covered was culture sensitivity when treating patients.

At the end of the day-- no big deal.

al7amdulillah.

Edited November 27, 2012 by RFQ

[AnalajiaAbdeen 5]

...posted wrong comment. Didn't realize this was an instructor. Lol. Oopsie

Edited November 27, 2012 by AnalajiaAbdeen

[abbi627 43]

I know what you mean. If I had a dollar for every stupid comment I received from people I think I could retire and never work again.

[Sarah B 26]

I know what you mean. If I had a dollar for every stupid comment I received from people I think I could retire and never work again.

truth!

While I was voting in 2008, a lady saw my tattoo in Arabic and tried to have me thrown out for being "unAmerican" Let people think whatever they want and thank God that you are open minded enough to look past it. People are lame.

[NY_BX 397]

As much as I understand your anger, frankly, I don't think it's insensitive or rude for your instructor to show some concern. Whether it was appropriate or not, that's another thing. But I find it refreshing that, even though it was unwelcomed advise, we're looking out for each other. When I went to Egypt during the revolution I had co-workers, friends of friends, and even strangers telling me the same thing. Never I thought it was insensitive or even bigoted. There again, I wasn't there, so I don't know exactly his/ her attitude let alone his/ her comments.

This happened to my sister some 10 years ago or so when she went to Colombia for 3 months. Everyone was concerned about the cartel wars; as everyone is concerned about Juarez, MEX nowadays. It's not about bigotry. It's safety. Frankly, the region is infested with gang and cartel wars. That doesn't make all of us Latin@s drug dealers or simply violent. It is a tragic reality: innocent end up in the wrong end of the battle. Now, Puerto Rico is considered a "narco" state- meaning, it's in the ranks of Colombia, Mexico and Nicaragua. I will go to celebrate the Holidays with my family in PR. Some have told me "why don't they visit you in NY?" and "Please becareful, it's very dangerous." I do not take it personal nor consider it insensitive.