[Filestina]

Ok, I really don't understand this.
I am a Muslim but I'm not exactly Asian. I was born in Finland but came here when I was six. I wear the headscarf and also the abaya ( the ankle length dress). When I'm on the train, I've noticed lately people seem to think I cannot speak English or that I am uneducated, and they seem so suprised when I seem to be able to read a newspaper.
So, this got me wandering. What is your perception of a Muslim who wears a heascarf and the abaya? Do you see them as an uneducated person who cannot speak English?
I'd like honest answers because I have really no clue.

[falseprofit]

I don't.

I know that sounds like a cheeky answer, but it's the truth. Until you asked this question I honestly don't think about them in this regard at all. I will admit that if I see I woman in a full on burka with head covered etc.. I do tend to associate her dress with a degree of Islamic devoutness which is very foreign to me. I'm not very comfortable with this custom, but my preconceptions in regards to her language/literacy abilities are not a factor. The people you have encountered probably are mistaking you for a recent immigrant. I'm not exactly sure why, but it doesn't likely mean they think you are stupid or uneducated. They just think you are different. Maybe you are. Maybe that's a good thing.

[gorila7]

(Original post by Adna)
Ok, I really don't understand this.
I am a Muslim but I'm not exactly Asian. I was born in Finland but came here when I was six. I wear the headscarf and also the abaya ( the ankle length dress). When I'm on the train, I've noticed lately people seem to think I cannot speak English or that I am uneducated, and they seem so suprised when I seem to be able to read a newspaper.
So, this got me wandering. What is your perception of a Muslim who wears a heascarf and the abaya? Do you see them as an uneducated person who cannot speak English?
I'd like honest answers because I have really no clue.

It depends, are you white?

[SnoochToTheBooch]

I've never associated a headscarf etc with a lack of education, I don't think many other people do either....

[Filestina]

(Original post by falseprofit)
I don't.

I know that sounds like a cheeky answer, but it's the truth. Until you asked this question I honestly don't think about them in this regard at all. I will admit that if I see I woman in a full on burka with head covered etc.. I do tend to associate her dress with a degree of Islamic devoutness which is very foreign to me. I'm not very comfortable with this custom, but my preconceptions in regards to her language/literacy abilities are not a factor. The people you have encountered probably are mistaking you for a recent immigrant. I'm not exactly sure why, but it doesn't likely mean they think you are stupid or uneducated. They just think you are different. Maybe you are. Maybe that's a good thing.

At least you're being truthful, because I really don't know what people actually think.

[Filestina]

(Original post by gorila7)
It depends, are you white?

No I'm east African, middle eastern.
But Ive grown up in Europe my whole life.

[takethyfacehence]

I wouldn't assume you couldn't speak English or were uneducated.

[Snagprophet]

(Original post by Adna)
No I'm east African, middle eastern.
But Ive grown up in Europe my whole life.

Well then you ain't European then.

[Filestina]

(Original post by Snagprophet)
Well then you ain't European then.

And where do I actually say I am 'European'???
Does that matter?

[Rascacielos]

(Original post by Snagprophet)
Well then you ain't European then.

She was born in Finland... she's as European as anyone else who was born in Europe.

[NR09]

Absolutely not, and you would have to be pretty stupid and ignorant to think so.

[Filestina]

Hmmm...
Interesting

[Snagprophet]

(Original post by Rascacielos)
She was born in Finland... she's as European as anyone else who was born in Europe.

So why did she say she was African and Middle Eastern? Are continents now terms for races or not?

[Ideot]

.... And yet again, a thread is completely deviating from an OP's question.

[Indo-Chinese Food]

(Original post by Adna)
Ok, I really don't understand this.
I am a Muslim but I'm not exactly Asian. I was born in Finland but came here when I was six. I wear the headscarf and also the abaya ( the ankle length dress). When I'm on the train, I've noticed lately people seem to think I cannot speak English or that I am uneducated, and they seem so suprised when I seem to be able to read a newspaper.
So, this got me wandering. What is your perception of a Muslim who wears a heascarf and the abaya? Do you see them as an uneducated person who cannot speak English?
I'd like honest answers because I have really no clue.

Im going to guess youre somalian (ethnically)

What newspaper are you reading ? Perhaps they are shocked because it was the Daily Mail

[gorila7]

(Original post by Adna)
No I'm east African, middle eastern.
But Ive grown up in Europe my whole life.

okay, are you black?

[Filestina]

(Original post by gorila7)
okay, are you black?

I, personally, don't see my self as black. I see my self as originally African,Middle Eastern, but not 'black', if you get what I mean

[Filestina]

(Original post by Indo-Chinese Food)
Im going to guess youre somalian (ethnically)

What newspaper are you reading ? Perhaps they are shocked because it was the Daily Mail

Haha-no.
It wasn't that. That paper is a joke sometimes, and my intelligence shows me not waste my time reading such trash.

And no, it isn't 'somalian', its Somali, and that wasn't a guess, you already knew that from yesterday.

[Filestina]

(Original post by Snagprophet)
So why did she say she was African and Middle Eastern? Are continents now terms for races or not?

I am from East Africa, but I also have middle eastern ancestry somewhere down the line.
But that wasn't my question at all.

[Aequat omnes cinis]

My only question is, why the **** did you come to the UK when you could have stayed in Finland? Finland is a great country and probably more tolerant than the UK.