British South Asians, please explain why I'm being called a freshie
So yes I'm an immigrant however, I wasn't born in south asia. I was born in Germany. I'm half German half Bengali female. Came over when I was around 8 and I'm now an adult. The only languages I can speak are German and English.
Appearance wise I'm like a light olive tone somewhere between white and brown skin. Dark brown round almond eyes, round Bengali nose, thin white people lips, heart-shaped face, slightly chubby. Dark brown long hair.
I don't really have a German accent but it's not as British as a lot of people's. It's more neutral. A lot of people say I sound normal but a good amount say that I sound slightly European. there might be a hint of my German left or it could just be their biases. But I defo don't say stuff like 'ze' instead of 'the' for example.
So I know a lot of people call you freshie as soon as they find out you weren't born in the UK. But the thing is, when I'm out in town and I walk past a random south asian person, they'll just blurt out FRESHIE even though they've never heard me speak so I know they're judging my appearance. Same thing happens at work where british asian and black colleagues will say it sneakily. My last name is German so maybe it's that but I have a feeling they're also judging my appearance.
Over the years people have asked me if I'm white a lot or they'll me they thought I'm some sort of exotic white like Greek etc. but some also ask if I'm pakistani or afghan etc. however most asians tell me 'you look white'. It's confusing because if even black people call me freshie, doesn't that mean they see the asian in me since freshie is mostly used for asians?? Are people telling me 'you look white' to mock or please me? Or do exotic white people like spanish etc. also get called freshie endlessly?
The most ethnic looking part of me is my nose. Is it my bengali nose that's triggering all this racism and hate? Do British bengali people also get called freshie if they have this nose type?
So even without a south asian accent, I get called freshie. Is there any way for this to ever end? Do I have to get a nose job? I know not telling people my place of birth helps if I can hide it. I don't think you guys understand how betrayed I feel by British minorities and how much it hurts. But please just tell me if there's any way to reduce the amount of racism I'm facing. I dress western. I don't oil my hair. I'm not traditional. I am religious but I don't wear hijab.
Appearance wise I'm like a light olive tone somewhere between white and brown skin. Dark brown round almond eyes, round Bengali nose, thin white people lips, heart-shaped face, slightly chubby. Dark brown long hair.
I don't really have a German accent but it's not as British as a lot of people's. It's more neutral. A lot of people say I sound normal but a good amount say that I sound slightly European. there might be a hint of my German left or it could just be their biases. But I defo don't say stuff like 'ze' instead of 'the' for example.
So I know a lot of people call you freshie as soon as they find out you weren't born in the UK. But the thing is, when I'm out in town and I walk past a random south asian person, they'll just blurt out FRESHIE even though they've never heard me speak so I know they're judging my appearance. Same thing happens at work where british asian and black colleagues will say it sneakily. My last name is German so maybe it's that but I have a feeling they're also judging my appearance.
Over the years people have asked me if I'm white a lot or they'll me they thought I'm some sort of exotic white like Greek etc. but some also ask if I'm pakistani or afghan etc. however most asians tell me 'you look white'. It's confusing because if even black people call me freshie, doesn't that mean they see the asian in me since freshie is mostly used for asians?? Are people telling me 'you look white' to mock or please me? Or do exotic white people like spanish etc. also get called freshie endlessly?
The most ethnic looking part of me is my nose. Is it my bengali nose that's triggering all this racism and hate? Do British bengali people also get called freshie if they have this nose type?
So even without a south asian accent, I get called freshie. Is there any way for this to ever end? Do I have to get a nose job? I know not telling people my place of birth helps if I can hide it. I don't think you guys understand how betrayed I feel by British minorities and how much it hurts. But please just tell me if there's any way to reduce the amount of racism I'm facing. I dress western. I don't oil my hair. I'm not traditional. I am religious but I don't wear hijab.
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