Seriously. People of different cultural backgrounds are all around you and just because we are of different shades doesn’t we are all immigrants or international students. Some of us are Canadian born and raised too. When you pass us on the streets, don’t avert your eyes pretending we do not exist. What happened to common courtesy and mutual respect?
—Diverse
This article appears in Jun 18-24, 2009.
So looking at something or someone other than the OP equals racism?? Geeez, a bit full of yourself are ya?
“we are of different shades”
Yes yes, we are from one race! The human race!
I agree! Stop staring at my kilt! Why is it so wrong to be a proud white scot!? Get ovet it and stop staring!
Got that right RichieCanuck. According to scientists, humans exploded into existence in east Ethiopia some forty zillion eons ago. So technically, Kay and I are related. *Shudder*
I don’t see how not wanting to make eye contact is automatically racism. That’s just being aloof/rude.
Dino Jr., don’t be gross!
If I look, I am staring, I offend.
If I look away, I am a racist, I offend.
If I look and smile, I’m coming on to you, I offend.
If I look and don’t smile, I’m another unfriendly Haligonian, or Nova Scotian, or Canadian, depending from where you came, unless your not from another place, then I’m a bitch.
Perhaps I’ll stay home.
Sorry. I guess that was pretty gross.
Wear sunglasses – all the time.
Jr………..It’s OK, (shudder, chill, goosebumps)
TTFN…….Yah, you gotta wear dark shades all the time don’t ya?
I don’t think avoiding eye contact is enough to warrant claims of racial prejudice, personally.
It is pretty bad that we have two bitches in the same number of days which state we can neither look at people nor look away without being horrible in some way.
if you really want someone to stare back at you, why don’t you partake in a staring contest? maybe then, if you win, you’ll feel like you exist.
Oh fuck off, OP. I don’t even make eye contact most of the time with friends when I’m with them, so get the fucking chip off of your shoulder. Maybe people aren’t making eye contact with you because they think that if they look at you you’ll think they’re racist for staring.
Sometimes you can’t win!
bigots.
I’m a bit lost on this thread, you look away, you’re busted, you stare, you’re busted, you’re indifferent you’re busted. Jesus one might want to walk around with blinders on like a race horse and say fuck it with the whole human interaction thing.
Have you ever tried smiling at strangers as you pass them and saying “Hello”? I don’t recommend it, you will feel pretty crappy in short order as you realize no one returns the gesture. When I’m in a really good mood I’ve done that and it’s brought me down fast. Then I don’t want to say “Hi” any more.
Then stare at their chest, that way you get the best of both worlds.
Presumption is SO annoying… the OP presumes his/her race is the reason people feign contact while at the same time presuming all of us presume he couldn’t possibly be Canadian *rolls eyes*
It goes both ways…just because someone has pale skin do not assume they are Canadian…..many a miscommunication happens b/c someone thinks I am Canadian…..so they judge me by CDN stereotypes and gender role expectation….
Oh and by the way when someone asks if you what a Glaswegian kiss….do not get excited…..it aint Canadian….and it hurts….
Aye, dirty Glasgow an those dirty Glaswegian tricks, we ask folks if they wish to partake all the time in those activities, it’s quite common in Pictou you know, a wee bit less here…..nay, after the kiss though, we make up an ‘ave a wee dram o Auchentoshan and a good louf aboot it.
Oche aye Smee…… LOL…..
Just went over this spring…….had to laugh because me cousin as young as 9 ask if I wanna wee kiss….. LOL… cannae start the weans too young…..
Cannae wait until the Games start, those would be the Games Halifax lost the bid on hheheehhahahahheheeheh ahhhhhhhhhhhh
Glasgow spanked Halifax…..
FYI, it’s a “Glasga kiss” no a “Glaswegian” kiss, and those who call glasga a dirty ol toon, never stray to Clydebank….first thing me dear ol’ da taught me before my first class in Canada…”find the meanest kid on the playground, stroll up to i’m and ge’em a wee kiss…no one will ever bother you”. He was right 🙂 mind you no one carried guns and knives back then either LOL!
FYI: I posted Glaswegian kiss because that is what it is…. you must be English the way you felt the need to ‘correct’ me…. it would only be called Glasga kiss in Scotland…
Are we in Scotland?
Take your time….
Generally I try to say hello or simply smile if eye contact is made, but most times that courtesy is not returned. Now that’s just plain rude.
Nice try 🙂
Sorry Diverse, my comment was directed to the Canuk mcgayle.
FB, I do not know why you have to be so rude …you know calling a Scot a Canuk is offensive……..in fact it is racist!!!!
LOL
On topic…I guess I have one of those faces but most folk says hello to me..it is annoying as all get out……LOL….nah……just teasing…..when folks of all ages and various ethnicities smile or nod or say hello..I find the humanity I find severely lacking in polite Nova Scotia…..
Why do you suppose that happens….what makes YOU say hello to complete strangers…. I am sure it has nada to do with me being taller than everyone else…must be my infectious smile……dunno….. could be my rep precedes me….
Could be my shirt says ‘say hello or I will kiss ya’ …… 😉
FlyingBrick oche aye glasga tiss a dirty ol toon fashur! Dirtier than a ors drors, grey an drab she be, wit the slummy grey highrise apartments one aft another. Bot nay ye mind, park yer ed under the spigot of the distillery safe an it’ll wash the grey out n no time.
Smee, you best put your drink doon cause I cannae understand a word yer saying…. 😉
Dont forget the Highland Games July 11 Dartmouth…..
http://www.halifaxhighlandgames.com/
I am going to be there doing the Kissing booth.
LMAO
I actually agree with Kay on this.
Newsflash: some of us don’t identify people by their race. For instance my friends who happen to be black aren’t my “black friends” they’re just my friends.
I hate generalizations, especially those who make them while bitching about generalizations (i.e.: op).
mcgayle you are clearly not from Glasgow, or Clydebank…probably English…from Edinburgh… :~)
PK, IMHO, a lot of the problem is brought on by rampant political correctness. I do no wish to be referred to as a “Scottish Canadian” even though I am a first generation Canadian. It seems that somewhere, somehow visible minorities (no really, I don’t wear a kilt..much) decided they wished to be identified according their ancestral origins. I as well, have many “non caucasian” freinds and acquaintances. I prime example is *** who lives in Montreal. He is another 1st gen Canuk, who’s folks hail from Hati. He does not consider himself “black” defnitely gets pissed at “African-Canadian”, and dislikes American Blacks in particular. His dad was extremely rasist, and always urged his son to “go forth and ‘choclatize’ the white folks of Montreal. …sleep with as many white girls as possible. We used to bug him endlessly about that. In short, he refers to himself, and wishes others to consider him a proud Canadian. No more no less. Trust me, he is about as UN pc correct as they get.
I’ll be the first to say that PC has been taken WAY too far these days.
I’ve heard of university profs making their students spell “women” “womyn” so they aren’t associated with men….that’s just one example.
It’s just getting out of control! No one just tells it like it is these days.
FB,… I never miss a chance to educate someone…….I was born in Glasgow Scotland 1965. I was just over for a reunion 02/09 to visit with 4 generations of my people…. I am the last immigrant in my fam with my son being CDN. I am hoping to move back in 10 years, when my business is finished here.
OP- why dont you find a place more pleasing to live and stay there forever. Im pretty sure your ancestors country of origin is/was not as great/free/safe place to live as Canada, probably why your here.
I hardly ever make eye contact with strangers since I’m afraid of coming off as a creepy weirdo! You can’t win, can you?!
OP, your bitch is lame. I’ll look which ever
way I want.
We are all human beings…live and let live…we all share the same planet no matter our origins…diversity is a gift that originated when humanity first came to be in Africa and spread through out-migration to the rest of the planet…can you imagine how boring it would be if we were all the same? When will mankind ever learn to accept our own diversity?