Comment by IkeArrumba on December 31, 2013 at 9:27pm

That's a tough situation to be put in. What is the proper response to prejudice? You may like to punch them in the throat, but that wouldn't enlighten them (it would feel good though). When people are acting like stupid animals, I sometimes change my thinking a bit. Instead of thinking of them as human beings, I think of them as simple stupid animals. In that case, they are only doing what you'd expect stupid animals to do. Pay them no mind, as their opinion ultimately means nothing to you.

On a secondary note, I notice that your title says you were harassed because of your "gender issues". That seems a strange term to use. Your gender is your business. It seems like it was the stupid animal standing in front of you that had the issue.

Comment by Adam on December 31, 2013 at 11:12pm

I'm sorry you had to go through this. Bigoted people everywhere exists and they make all our lives a living hell.

Next time you see them, and they start this nonsense, just tell them "get the F**K out of my country and go back to the third world trash you immigrated from".  If they call you a racist, tell them "it's ok, an Ex Muslim told me to tell you cowards this". 

I have no tolerance for intolerant bigots.

Comment by Gallup's Mirror on January 1, 2014 at 4:10am

That's deplorable. The rest of us are just living our lives-- being who we are, going about our business-- and suddenly we've got a turd to scrape off our boot.

As upsetting as it was, I think you handled the situation exactly as you should have, Danielle.

Responding at all would have prolonged an encounter you didn't want to have in the first place. Or if you ended up trading insults it could have become a brawl, and these brain-dead twerps aren't worth the time it would take to kick their faces in, or have them kick in yours.

Instead, the fool quickly removed himself from your presence and wasted none of your time, while you walked away safely and never had to utter a word or lift a finger.

I'd say you came out on top in that encounter. They don't see themselves as the losers here, but most of us who read your account of them surely will.

------

The wise do not contend, therefore none may contend against them. (Yield and overcome.)
- from the Tao Te Ching

Comment by Reg The Fronkey Farmer on January 1, 2014 at 6:50am

There have been many reports lately of the "Muslim Patrol" annoying people in London. It seems to have spread and I am sure places "up north" like Bradford will have their share of them too. Good to see these fans of Sharia law getting arrested and sentenced. Here is an article about it.

Comment by Simon Paynton on January 1, 2014 at 6:58am

I'm sorry you have to go through all this rubbish.  So much for peace and love.  You seem like a very nice person.  I know you don't need advice, but I don't advise saying "get the F**K out of my country and go back to the third world trash you immigrated from".  It's true that people need to accept the liberal standards of the country they've come to. 

Comment by James Cox on January 1, 2014 at 12:38pm

I am very sorry for this as an experience.

I lived near the OSU campus(Corvallis Oregon) for several years, and worked and attended school with lots of folks. Managing a four bedroom house with Muslim students put me into direct contact with rather conservative Muslims that were young and a long way from home. I remember being refered to as 'the white demon', and being barely tolerated in the summer without my shirt on! We did slowly warm up to each other, I loved their food, their ability to live in peace as a large group, their honesty, and their tendency to show respect to older people. I was asked and attended dinners at the Mosgue during the men's gatherings, and one dear friend considered me as a respectable and kind man after working with me.

They do seem to treat men better than 'their' women I did notice. This always felt very off-putting since I was raised to be mostly egalitarian.

Over my time with them, I tried to learn about their taboos, cooking skills, bits of language and greetings. 'Saloom Alakum', and 'Alakum Sallom' can be an ice breaker, and when I know the metaphysical commitments of a stranger, I have more than once greeted them and found that they will often times thank you for this modicum of respect.

Sadly it can be very hard to live together. During my last few days at the house, we had an 'ugly American' move in that had no idea about  the complex culture we had in presence. One morning he fried up some very nice 'PORK' sausage in our common kitchen, using the common fry pan! Within hours the 'GREAT SUCKING SOUND' could be heard as this grand experiment collapsed, leaving the house emthy exceprt for me and this jerk! This is now another story of course.....;p(      

Comment by _Robert_ on January 1, 2014 at 1:28pm

Smile !

Comment by James Cox on January 1, 2014 at 1:46pm

This looks like a 'Clean Room' pix, sadly they need latex gloves, safety glasses, white booties, and a 'breash wall'. Standing joke in the clean room, 'Frank, Frank is that you? Oh sorry Delorous!'

Comment by Nerdy Keith on January 1, 2014 at 2:27pm

Awe thats terrible. You should have those people reported if they try to do this again. You should say to them "Excuse me, I am not a second class citizen, I refuse to be treated as one. I am a human being"

Stay strong and continue to be you

Comment by Pope Beanie on January 1, 2014 at 6:00pm

It's hard not to think of ways to retaliate. The best I can come up with is (with a smile) "When I die, my spirit will FIND YOU AND OWN YOU!". But that's just me. And it's a lie. And... I guess it could up the stakes, somehow.

I can't really think of any way to respond, constructively. I can only think of ways to explain why the unfairness exists. He came from a culture that's extremely unfair, while our culture has been advancing. They're still in their dark ages, breathing enough anguish daily to consider suicide vests. (Ok, that's an extreme generalization, only true in a few cases.)

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