I too have a PC, screen, keyboard, I can type (and I’ve even learned the Sacred English, as a second language). But none of it proves my civil manner or my abilities (and willingness) to conduct myself in any host country, in a way that would not displease or offend “the locals”.
I invite you to come and tell this to every Westerner in Muslim lands, who believes that because at home he runs around drugged and drunk, he has the given right to expect he can do that anywhere, no matter local customs and local laws. And is outraged to the core if that doesn't seem to be the case.
“Exceptions to rules” exist, thank God for that! But when the exception (of a large mass) is the “pleasing”, non-“offensive” then one must endure the understandable prejudices that follow.
The core problem of your approach is that for you the rule is the exception, and that is why your behaviour is called "prejudiced" (to say it mildly).
“X go home!” Should always be understood not to include the “exceptionate” one, it’s true, but “X” really ought to go home. Preferably soon, please.
X go home I said as a kid when playmates bothered me. Until I was told that this is not the way to get to know and understand. So I learned to listen and observe in order to understand why they were as they were and why they bothered me. The result was that they didn't bother me any longer and I think I didn't bother them any longer either.
Why such a simple skill is unknown to you is anyone's guess.
I take my right to a “breath for staying alive” for granted and I extend my hand of invitation (to my country) to anyone having difficulties acquiring that “breath” wherever they might be. But if their presence here obstinately strangles my indigenous, cultural expression of life then I would much rather send them back to struggle for that breath (in their own country) in the very same way that the colonialists were expected to vacate their “possessions” abroad and the Americans in Iraq, etc. ought to return to the U.S.
For me the air is God's gift to everyone to breath, countries are nothing but legal entities and the only thing that should not happen is invade other's space by force.
But speaking of "being strangled in indigenous, cultural expression", I wonder if you have an idea how that lands if it comes not from individuals (and I wonder how individuals can do this to you) but in tsunami waves carried by Imperialism and Capitalism combined. Maybe you could read a bit of this (and this is a long time since I linked to that little article of mine)
http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=152746
My previous message on ”education” had nothing to do with intelligence or owning a PC. Education of tolerance and respect should be encouraged by schools wherever they may be. We Europeans are not “dirty, fornecating, non-believers”, as is the general belief by many in certain parts of the world. Fornecating or not, my country has experienced peace for a couple of hundred years and anyone seeking refuge here ought to show the respect we deserve. Otherwise they can return to their bullet-dodging, “clean, sexual- abstinent, devout” origins.
My idea on this is that education should be given at home, first of all.
As for your assertions about "how Europeans are viewed". Maybe ask the Pope what he thinks about it?
I'm afraid that here and there the water is still very deep. I can swim. Can you?
salaam.
silly me.
