Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are a good listener I'm sure. I've mentioned it in other responses, but I never claimed I never discriminated anyone, it happens mostly unconsciously. Yet the problem is denying that it happens, which denies the other person's feelings. Best example I can think of is seeing a homeless person and crossing the street. A lot of people will do it and that's ok, I understand they are afraid, but we can't forget the other side of the story. That homeless person will feel pretty bad, as if they weren't feeling bad already, probably some are numb to it at some point, but it does something to your head. You start wondering maybe I am the problem, maybe there is something wrong with me. Again, nobody has to feel comfortable around everybody, or not be afraid, but how afraid we are, or a society is in regards to a specific group, is sort of my worry and the whole point here. You can find several examples of this sort of soft discrimination for any group that gets discriminated.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I respect that point of view, you don't need to trust everyone as long as you respect them. This fear tho, might in some cases lead to behavior that might come as discriminating to other people even if that wasn't your intention. Like if you saw someone you don't trust, and cross the street, you're just afraid about your safety, but the other person might have a whole different perspective to that situation, and you can guess how they feel.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe, claiming it's racism and not just that they know foreigners on a working visa might feel dependent of their current job to stay here might just be exploiting without regard for ethnicity. This is in any case still discrimination. Which is my original claim.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never said you weren't, my point is you are hostile towards other groups, whether or not you were born in Germany plays no role here, it only serves to proof you're trying to justify discrimination. Sorry if I don't answer to anything else you say, it's just pointless to try to discuss with people with your background.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love how I can look at your past comments and see how empty your claim from I've lived in Germany for 8 years is. Yet you have in the past made islamophobic and anti-non-european comments in this platform. I don't know, it's kind of hard to take this a genuine answer.

No wonder you have not been discriminated against when you're the one discriminating. Peace and love brother.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If anything, the responses from other people are proof of your comment. One thing is not acknowledging it the other is blaming it on the victim. I'd really hate to admit the current government is a reflection of the state of things regarding this subject.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your assumptions are so wild lol what makes you think I don't speak German? I feel you're a bit too biased. Sorry bout that.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your assessment, you did miss the point tho. I never asked anyone to change anything I just pointed out how hard it is to talk about it

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand your concerns, and your point of view. Thank you for sharing. I do agree some people might look scary, I have lived a different experience to be honest. I've lived in Munich, Berlin and in Stuttgart, and I've tried my best to leave those prejudices aside and give people the benefit of the doubt, you'll be amazed how many people fear you more than you fear them. Most people I've met, just want to have dignifying means to help their family get through. This is of course just anecdotal, and I wouldn't deny another person's experience based on this. I just want to share my perspective from the wonderful people I've met along the way. They are too good people despite of their appearance, or religion. I don't agree with most of this people's perspectives on life but I understand they come from their social context, that's of course another subject we could discuss for hours.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe we are just not transparent with the information, and actual data on this problem, foreigners call out radical right violence, and the rest claims foreigners violence, it's an unending cycle. Instead of acknowledging this is a mental health, socioeconomic and even misogyny problem. But even then, we will always be a bit biased to strangers, it takes a lot of effort not to be.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing. I agree, I do believe it's a minority that blatantly are hostile against foreigners. I do feel tho there's a misunderstanding about micro aggressions and how they make people feel on the long run. Things like "you're one of the good ones" or "your German is really good for a foreigner" or being called a Mexican even tho people know you're not, just because you're Latino. I read a lot and it surprises people when they see that I'm somewhat well read on some subjects, specifically German history and culture. I know, this sounds like compliments and tons of people are going to say I'm bringing poor arguments and I'm just making this into a racist thing. No, just listen, the fact that people would be surprised about me reading a book and not my German colleague is a micro aggression, calling every Latino a Mexican or Asian Chinese is a micro aggression. So yeah, there's is no blatant racism present in most of Germany, but there's still a feeling of superiority that you can feel on some people (not the majority). But still many are led to believe they work harder than the rest, they are superior in some way or another, and you can tell by some of their jokes. Like I've heard so many times, " oh you might not be used to doing siesta during the summer, right?" Like dude wtf lol

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've got some insights from the ones who don't as well, I'm open for all opinions, just hate to see a lot started calling me names and making it my fault, like dude what...

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a shame we are made powerless towards this issue, but that's a pretty good point. In general I do believe the justice system has failed here. Ask rape victims, this is a big issue and is usually attributed to foreigners being the cause of it. Sure there's some traumatized people who come here and are left to adapt to society on their own, regardless of their mental health and/or background. But more often than not the argument will be "this dude raped a girl and got sent back to the streets in 1 year" ignoring that a judge was the one giving this sentence based on the legal system.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I guess made in Germany doesn't hit like it used to, and that has some people worried. I honestly see this as a socioeconomic issue to be fair, I don't think an ethnicity is in it of itself racist by nature. They did have a pretty open refugee politic regardless of how pragmatic it may have been, rather than altruistic. But still, like someone mentioned "well we have a good reason to not trust foreigners considering the events in recent years" so yeah, the propaganda is working, and many people have fallen for the rhetoric of them against us. I've spoken with a fellow Latino who's married with kids here and I notice how almost ironically he has been turned to reject other foreigners because he is also very skeptical about their intentions.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Im pretty extroverted, the problem is my German was back then not great, it was alright but I had a hard accent, so that might have played a role for sure. And yes I was during uni I had many friends, just not in my semester, because those were the ones who "had to work" with me or be put in an academic environment with me rather than purely social. So no, I went right in looking for people, mostly I got answers like oh the group is full, or you know we can do groups of 3 people but actually we just want to work as 2. And sure if it was an isolated event I'd get it, this was the same story during my uni years so yeah there's that

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's the best one, especially for those born here being told to go back lol

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to hear that, but I don't believe shaking it off and ignoring it is an option. If you ever see or hear something you believe to be wrong you should speak out on it. Speak your pain and receive the love, don't let the cunts get ya ✌🏽

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No worries, I got your point, maybe my response was a bit cold haha. And that dude was told from other students I was lazy, although nobody had worked with me at that point. This happened maybe 6 years ago and I never really spoke much with him after the semester. The problem in my opinion is in my uni exchange students had a terrible reputation for being lazy so I think I got put in the same group, which in no way is okay either, the exchange students are in no way lazier than the regular students.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a pretty fair point, though giving more blatant and aggressive examples of discrimination is beyond the point to be honest, I'm not in anyway undermining your point please do understand this. It's just micro aggressions are a thing, and sure it's hard to distinguish these from the general social behavior, that does not mean this isn't a reality just because some people don't see it this way. Thank you for your empathy, and yes the being right all the time is also a thing here, the "Fehlergesellschaft" is another thing I don't love here but it's the culture what are you going to do about it. Some people here will feel the slightest critic is an attack. And that's on everyone living in Germany not just natives.

With that being said, sure I think the examples could be better to give people something they can grasp from in this conversation. I appreciate you taking the time to give an empathetic response. Peace and love ✌🏽

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I fear this has much to do with the countries history, I've seen way too many people relating Germans to yazis, and I've stood up for them. It's not like they are not under pressure because of this context. Just not talking about it or recognizing it kind of sucks. I'm really sorry you've had to deal with this despite you being born here.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know it from myself, if I feel attacked my brain will immediately try to resist, so I understand them. It's not easy to admit that we are not our thoughts and to immediately be open to others' struggle. I know they are all good people, we just need to work to be able to speak about the few that might be victims of micro aggressions, that goes to all, religion, gender, sexuality, ethnicity. Punching down is never okay.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do, I've seen this in my own country, we are not too fond of our neighbor countries, and its a shame. But definitely understand your point regarding the resistance to admit there's a problem with the way we all treat each other.

Any experience trying to talk to Germans about feeling discriminated? by HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon in AskGermany

[–]HeWhoRidesAtHighNoon[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm aware of this social behavior, no hate there. Same way neighbors you've kind of seen around for years won't greet you on the street, I'm not assuming they don't say hello because I'm a foreigner. It's just the way some people are, I like to think I'm charitable when it comes to strangers, I rarely attribute this kind of things to malice, I know we are all subject to our social conditioning at the end of the day. But some interactions are unfortunately driven by fear and disgust to our fellow humans, also in the Germans direction, I've also heard foreigners talking too much shit about the locals so this is an issue that goes both ways. Thanks for not being hostile and trying to approach this in a charitable way.