Because Im racist
I live in Ashfield.
Im quite fond of living in Ashfield, theres very little crime, no bogans and the food and shopping are cheap. However unlike Burwood where East meets West quite comfortably, Ashfield is predominantly East. All the signs are in chinese (well one is chneise lol), all the people are chinese and I very much feel like I am in another country. However I like this. I like to feel the different culture around me. When shopping I do not expect the friendly "Hi How are you toay" because in eastern culture, they do not use manners, its you want, you buy, you leave, and to them thats not rude.
So Im walking past this shop where they have two big bottles of aloe green tea for $1.50, bargain right? I pick them up, walk in the shop and stand in the line. Two people, a male then a female, stand abruptly in front of me, making it aparent that they are offended that I am there in the line(this happens a hell of a lot in Ashfield, whether its woolworths or the fruit shop). I then eventually get to the front of the queue. The woman serving just stares at me and makes no move to put my items through. I wait.... She then looks at my two bottles, scans them and holds out her hand without looking at me, I give her a $5 note she gets out the right change and throws it down on the table. I collect it up and and walk out. I do not get mad or even slightly upset, just quietly sneak out while eyes stare at me. (Yes if this was a woolworths in the city I would call the manager and have her fired)
I think yes, I have experienced the racism that white people have infliceted on others for years. Why, dont you? But then I also think that as far as Im aware all civil twentieth century citizens have learnt never to treat others as if they are different. We are literally terrified of being labled as being racist. I dont want to sound racist but the man who stabbed me was of oriental appearance, please find an australian with oriental features.
Anyway, you know, I better stop there... before anyone thinks Im a racist.
Im quite fond of living in Ashfield, theres very little crime, no bogans and the food and shopping are cheap. However unlike Burwood where East meets West quite comfortably, Ashfield is predominantly East. All the signs are in chinese (well one is chneise lol), all the people are chinese and I very much feel like I am in another country. However I like this. I like to feel the different culture around me. When shopping I do not expect the friendly "Hi How are you toay" because in eastern culture, they do not use manners, its you want, you buy, you leave, and to them thats not rude.
So Im walking past this shop where they have two big bottles of aloe green tea for $1.50, bargain right? I pick them up, walk in the shop and stand in the line. Two people, a male then a female, stand abruptly in front of me, making it aparent that they are offended that I am there in the line(this happens a hell of a lot in Ashfield, whether its woolworths or the fruit shop). I then eventually get to the front of the queue. The woman serving just stares at me and makes no move to put my items through. I wait.... She then looks at my two bottles, scans them and holds out her hand without looking at me, I give her a $5 note she gets out the right change and throws it down on the table. I collect it up and and walk out. I do not get mad or even slightly upset, just quietly sneak out while eyes stare at me. (Yes if this was a woolworths in the city I would call the manager and have her fired)
I think yes, I have experienced the racism that white people have infliceted on others for years. Why, dont you? But then I also think that as far as Im aware all civil twentieth century citizens have learnt never to treat others as if they are different. We are literally terrified of being labled as being racist. I dont want to sound racist but the man who stabbed me was of oriental appearance, please find an australian with oriental features.
Anyway, you know, I better stop there... before anyone thinks Im a racist.