General Discussion

moriah

(8,312 posts)

55. Americans at the INS sure seem to feel superior, I can tell you that much.

Sun Dec 7, 2014, 09:03 PM

Dec 2014

My ex-husband was born in Romania, spoke English, Romanian, and German. Yet the only way they would do anything is if I was there and did all the talking. Even though he spoke English quite well, the fact he had an accent seemed to change the way they treated him, and since it made it where I had to be the one to drive from NY to Arkansas and back when they had issues in transferring his file and I had to speak to both offices in person to get it done, I remember the experience pretty clearly. They really treat anyone with an accent like crap, I spent enough time in various INS waiting rooms listening to know it wasn't just me.

I'm very glad that your interest in people's accents is not meant to offend. But the people who do treat people differently, or badly, because of an accent do exist, and while the exact words in the OP may sound innocent, the allegation was a tone in the speech that made the comment unacceptable. I wasn't there to hear it to interpret it and determine whether I would consider it offensive.

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This message was self-deleted by its author [View all] darkangel218 Dec 2014 OP

The 'immigrant experience' in America. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Dec 2014 #1

I just received a private message telling me i didnt spell privilage correctly :'( darkangel218 Dec 2014 #2

try a spell check program Kali Dec 2014 #33

You belong here as much as the rest of us non indigenous people do Warpy Dec 2014 #43

See? No one responds. No one cares. darkangel218 Dec 2014 #3

Two things cyberswede Dec 2014 #4

What about your replies to me in the Religion forum? darkangel218 Dec 2014 #5

You posted on a public website. Expect replies. cyberswede Dec 2014 #8

That poster attacked my spelling. darkangel218 Dec 2014 #9

You need to look up the word "attacked" cyberswede Dec 2014 #11

This message was self-deleted by its author darkangel218 Dec 2014 #13

I think you're confusing me with someone else. cyberswede Dec 2014 #18

Alrite, my bad. was someone else. darkangel218 Dec 2014 #19

They sent the PM to PREVENT people from making fun of you in the thread. cyberswede Dec 2014 #22

No, it wasnt "kindness". Why would anyone "make fun" of my spelling in a thread about xenophobia? darkangel218 Dec 2014 #24

My two cents - LiberalElite Dec 2014 #46

Would you PM me for a misspelled word? darkangel218 Dec 2014 #47

no - but that's because LiberalElite Dec 2014 #50

This message was self-deleted by its author Bobbie Jo Dec 2014 #52

That PM was not attacking you. tammywammy Dec 2014 #56

cyberswede is most likely not even a native swede. Quantess Dec 2014 #15

LOL. Nope. cyberswede Dec 2014 #17

That's nice. Both my parents were. Quantess Dec 2014 #23

On a jury for this reply, I voted to leave but not because it think it's "OK". NYC_SKP Dec 2014 #38

I dont care what you think of mr, NYSKP, and even more so, you cant tell me to delete my posts. darkangel218 Dec 2014 #48

Someone's abusing the alert system against you. Results LittleBlue Dec 2014 #39

Wow.. ok. Thank you for letting me know darkangel218 Dec 2014 #45

I call it "Gringo Privilage". stone space Dec 2014 #6

Yup. darkangel218 Dec 2014 #7

Lol, I like that one: it has been duly added to my list. Personally, I try to be aware at all times Vattel Dec 2014 #27

Once while hanging out in Chinatown with friends there were yuiyoshida Dec 2014 #10

Yup, the typical xenophobe question: Do you speak English darkangel218 Dec 2014 #12

I think my friend was more amused... yuiyoshida Dec 2014 #14

In Los Angeles, a lot of people in Chinatown, especially the older ones do not speak much JDPriestly Dec 2014 #32

Yes they have every right to ask it in civil tone yuiyoshida Dec 2014 #35

I've heard more than one comedian talk about how this happens on a regular basis... cherokeeprogressive Dec 2014 #42

Everyone can understand English, a comedian once observed. . . Journeyman Dec 2014 #54

As if I chose my ancestors as a pre-conception soul... hunter Dec 2014 #16

omg. what that lady said. Liberal_in_LA Dec 2014 #20

It was so obvious and pathetic. darkangel218 Dec 2014 #25

She was just struck by his/her accent. There is nothing wrong with that. JDPriestly Dec 2014 #30

seriously... did you read his post? Her comment was clearly meant to signify anti immigrant feeling Liberal_in_LA Dec 2014 #31

I have lived in other countries. That's just the way people are. It is really nothing to be JDPriestly Dec 2014 #34

" If a person does not like that reaction, then they really should either be very quiet or live wher Liberal_in_LA Dec 2014 #36

Yes. Travel broadens. The best response is a big smile and a friendly voice. JDPriestly Dec 2014 #41

You "talked funny in England"? Astonishing! Quantess Dec 2014 #37

My second language was American when I lived in Englznd. JDPriestly Dec 2014 #40

That's great. I live in sweden and swedish is my 2nd language. Quantess Dec 2014 #44

Whenever I hear people discussing "native" versus "non" here in California. . . Journeyman Dec 2014 #21

The only true natives are the indians. darkangel218 Dec 2014 #26

If they arrived over the Bering Land Bridge, they've been here only a little longer than us . . . Journeyman Dec 2014 #28

Someone was here long before that G_j Dec 2014 #59

You are from Eastern Europe. Your parents and you were born there. Be proud of it? JDPriestly Dec 2014 #29

Did i ever say i wasnt "proud of it"? darkangel218 Dec 2014 #49

Americans at the INS sure seem to feel superior, I can tell you that much. moriah Dec 2014 #55

Speak for yourself. There are some Americans who are judgmental toward foreigners. Quantess Dec 2014 #57

Awful. IMHO American is more of an idea LittleBlue Dec 2014 #51

about the incident you recount... steve2470 Dec 2014 #53

Do people from the UK and Australia have this happen as well? gollygee Dec 2014 #58

On this forum in particular, I've seen more people from R B Garr Dec 2014 #60