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Victim of Stereotyping
Posted 2nd October 2008 at 05:28 AM by twinsmom
Once we went to the Burjuman Centre. Actually we had an appointment elsewhere at about 11.30 and not wanting take any risk with the traffic, we left home early….and ended up too early for the appointment. Since Burjuman was nearby, we decided to drop in.
We entered the Nike shop and I as usual got curious glances from the filipina salesgirls. What would a sari clad middle aged dame want in a Nike showroom? I asked for football jerseys. Without batting an eyelid ( very professional of her…) she asked me , “ For gents or ladies, Madame?” I couldn’t help giggling. Obviously I didn’t look the football jersey kind at all. For gents, of course, I said…for my sons. She smiled and led me to the area where Barcelona jerseys vied with Juventa’s.
I didn’t find the kind my son wanted, thanked her and walked out. Next, at the Adidas shop, they had every other club than Manchester United. Disappointed, we both walked on. Then I saw it… the Virgin Mega Store. I remembered that the twins had asked for original DVDs of Prison Break. A very reluctant RP followed me into the shop. He knows I go haywire inside that shop. Virgin Mega Store personnel in Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre are familiar with me… But this was the first time in Burjuman. As I waltzed alone towards the English DVD section a red uniform clad youth started trailing me. First, he told me, Ma’am, No Hindi titles here. As I looked at him surprised, he added condescendingly, “This is the English Section, Ma’am.”
I glanced at his name tag and said, “I know, Adrian. If you can help get me the first season of Prison Break….” I could see him mentally shrug as he told me, “Sorry, we are sold out.” Then as the salesman in him surfaced, he said, “We have the second season, though.” I said okay and picked up the second season. I felt like telling him I have already watched the complete first season with my twin sons and half of the second, but why should I bother, I thought.
The suddenly my eyes fell on the seventh and eighth seasons of Everybody Loves Raymond. Now I am an avid fan of the series and own all the 6 seasons. With a whoop of joy, I picked up both. I could see my poor husband wince right behind me. I handed all the three collections to Adrian and asked him if he could check out at their branches in the Mall of Emirates and Deira City Centre if they have the first season of Prison Break so that I could pick it up from there. He disappeared for a while and brought back the news that it was available in Mercato Mall and he could get us a copy in two or three days. I gave him RP’s mobile number and name and told him to give a ring as soon as he got it.
As I was about to turn back, he told me Ma’am we have the latest Hindi hits and pointed and enunciated with a heavy accent ‘ Jhoom Barabar Jhoom…and…’ I said serenely, sorry I am not hooked to Hindi movies. Then, as we both moved towards the counter, I said, “ Adrian, appearances can be deceptive, right?” he had the decency to look ashamed.
At the counter, there was another youth, an African by birth obviously, who saw my collection and said, “Good choice, ma'am…And I nodded to him, “Yeah, I know.”
I hope Adrian learnt a lesson that day. You cannot stereotype people or take an arrogant attitude. My wearing sari had nothing to do with his duty as a salesman. Where is it said that only jeans clad people can enjoy American sitcoms and English movies? He was young… and I was ready to forgive him… But, if he acts snooty, the next time I am in the shop… I’d give him a piece of my mind!
We entered the Nike shop and I as usual got curious glances from the filipina salesgirls. What would a sari clad middle aged dame want in a Nike showroom? I asked for football jerseys. Without batting an eyelid ( very professional of her…) she asked me , “ For gents or ladies, Madame?” I couldn’t help giggling. Obviously I didn’t look the football jersey kind at all. For gents, of course, I said…for my sons. She smiled and led me to the area where Barcelona jerseys vied with Juventa’s.
I didn’t find the kind my son wanted, thanked her and walked out. Next, at the Adidas shop, they had every other club than Manchester United. Disappointed, we both walked on. Then I saw it… the Virgin Mega Store. I remembered that the twins had asked for original DVDs of Prison Break. A very reluctant RP followed me into the shop. He knows I go haywire inside that shop. Virgin Mega Store personnel in Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre are familiar with me… But this was the first time in Burjuman. As I waltzed alone towards the English DVD section a red uniform clad youth started trailing me. First, he told me, Ma’am, No Hindi titles here. As I looked at him surprised, he added condescendingly, “This is the English Section, Ma’am.”
I glanced at his name tag and said, “I know, Adrian. If you can help get me the first season of Prison Break….” I could see him mentally shrug as he told me, “Sorry, we are sold out.” Then as the salesman in him surfaced, he said, “We have the second season, though.” I said okay and picked up the second season. I felt like telling him I have already watched the complete first season with my twin sons and half of the second, but why should I bother, I thought.
The suddenly my eyes fell on the seventh and eighth seasons of Everybody Loves Raymond. Now I am an avid fan of the series and own all the 6 seasons. With a whoop of joy, I picked up both. I could see my poor husband wince right behind me. I handed all the three collections to Adrian and asked him if he could check out at their branches in the Mall of Emirates and Deira City Centre if they have the first season of Prison Break so that I could pick it up from there. He disappeared for a while and brought back the news that it was available in Mercato Mall and he could get us a copy in two or three days. I gave him RP’s mobile number and name and told him to give a ring as soon as he got it.
As I was about to turn back, he told me Ma’am we have the latest Hindi hits and pointed and enunciated with a heavy accent ‘ Jhoom Barabar Jhoom…and…’ I said serenely, sorry I am not hooked to Hindi movies. Then, as we both moved towards the counter, I said, “ Adrian, appearances can be deceptive, right?” he had the decency to look ashamed.
At the counter, there was another youth, an African by birth obviously, who saw my collection and said, “Good choice, ma'am…And I nodded to him, “Yeah, I know.”
I hope Adrian learnt a lesson that day. You cannot stereotype people or take an arrogant attitude. My wearing sari had nothing to do with his duty as a salesman. Where is it said that only jeans clad people can enjoy American sitcoms and English movies? He was young… and I was ready to forgive him… But, if he acts snooty, the next time I am in the shop… I’d give him a piece of my mind!
Total Comments 14
Comments
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Yes, Mindi... I agree with you.. Today, I asked for dvds of Football and the guy looked for it and couldn't find any and trying to be helpful, told me, "Ma'am, if it is for your son, I can suggest you buy him a movie called Goal...he'll definitely love it!" I had half a mind to say," No, it is for me.... I am a Barcelona fan!... but the guy sounded genuine...so I just smiled it off.Posted 4th October 2008 at 07:30 AM by twinsmom
- Dear Twinsmom,
Awesome write-up!
Other than having been stereotyped, I guess we have one more thing in common, love of football....yesss!
Last year, I was speculating who would go through to the Champions League final, when an Indian male-friend exclaimed ," You know, you really don't look like someone who could be interested in soccer". How are these people supposed to look like anyway?
Have you also noticed how north Indians stereotype southies and vice-versa?! All in the game..
-KrithikaPosted 4th October 2008 at 12:26 PM by krithiks - Hi TwinsMom,
Why couldn't I just stop agreeing with you? Yup I think you just lived the life of Indians abroad who are just as comfortable in watching "everybody loves Raymond" in saris as with people with jeans. Well... surprisingly I have noticed this sort of attitude even in India especially in malls and brand wear stores. Gosh... How I wish people do stop judging one's capacity by the way they dress up !
-JayaguruPosted 9th December 2008 at 04:17 PM by jayaguru - I totally agree with you regarding not to judge people with their looks. My experience in this is, when we came to the US in '99 the most people wanted to know if I understood or spoke english. I was starting to really get tired of answering that I spoke and understood very well. My accent may be different but, how can they assume we din't know the language.
I explained to one lady that maybe Indians can speak the english language the best only after the British citizens themselves. I told her that english was our second most spoken language and nearly every Indian can speak the language.
The worst is now my 13 year old son is correcting my english. At least he is correcting my accent and not my language.Posted 17th December 2008 at 01:39 PM by harisur
