Just my concern
Hi all, I`m Indonesian lady. I`ve been in Doha already 5 years. Since the first time I came to Doha whenever I go, always people are thinking that I`m a Filipina and start talking to me in their language. Because we`re looking same.
First year I have no problem with that, and now the 5th year, I already fed up with this. U know what`s bothering me? When I answer in english still they are talking in their language. Until I have to tell them I`M INDONESIAN.
Don`t take my wrong with this subject pls. I have so many great Filipina friends. Just take a note that not all the workers here are from Philipines, at least u should ask first where r u come from. Even for me, if I want to talk to person which for sure I know that she`s Indonesian, I always asked first where do you come from, then we continue with our language.
Once again, no offense guys...
I dont have a very discernable accent and people always ask me where about in England do I come from. It never bothers me and I use it as an icebreaker with people who are English when I just reply "Edinburgh".Always makes for a laugh and gets folk relaxed.
Happy now Brit..read my post again..lol
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HE WHO DARES WINS
Avisha yes you girls from east asia all the same to me.. I could not tell the different between, An Indnonesian, Malayasian, Flipino. They are all the same I love them...lol
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HE WHO DARES WINS
This is a family site.. please refrain from loving Asian guys on this forum..
well, tya we can't do anything about that unless you wear something like what said above our put a tag for yourself... coz we're basically from same region in asia and same skintone, same feature, etc. you could educate people of your origin but there will always be new ones to do the same...
afterall we asian-alike gonna lived with that you know and btw, no offense meant, k?
^_^
but again, if it's nothing wrong being relate to filipinos, then why bother?
`because i`m not filipinas` ;p
This is such a common thing over here...im on ur side on this...i mean almost everyone starts talking to me in arabic...even tho i reply back in english.
"Hallo, Hamad!?!?!"
"What"
"Hamad, Hamad, wayn Hamad!!!!"
"Sorry my friend, no Hamad here."
"HAMAD, dfb dsb db f gb fgn ghn g gn g (Some nonesense)"
"Sorry wrong number"
Then they RING BACK!!!!
Did you Google it first?
baldrick, stupid mistake by people often thinks first that they're being fooled by other person, hence shouting to them not knowing what number they dialed first...
guess you've been experienced it then.
^_^
Then there's the guy who phones you as a wrong number. He's speaking his language, you are speaking yours and he feels that by shouting in his language you might understand him better. Idiots!
Did you Google it first?
it's common in this part of the world and i bet your fellows and others may think it also the same way to ours filipinos... coz i was in most occasion been considered vietnamese, indonesians, etc. even with my own kind (filipinos too!).
so basically all are prone to confusion till one of you in conversation starts saying who is who.
but again, if it's nothing wrong being relate to filipinos, then why bother? just an observation though.
^_^
ooooch Tess.. Brit you got the nerve...lol
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HE WHO DARES WINS
LOL., brit., avid patronizer eh.,
_________________
call me ONE.
Step 1 - You must stop hanging out near the Ramada..
BritExpat..agree as long all parties are speaking the same language not like poor Tya.. who gets mistaken for a flipino and ppl start taking tagalog to her..
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HE WHO DARES WINS
My point was, that If you're having a reasonable conversation, it shouldn't matter whether the person is black, white, pink, brown, British, Filipino, Malaysian, German or American.. OK.. Canadians maybe need to introduce themselves.
Usually, during the conversation, one can make a pretty good judgement call as to their ethnicity / nationality.
Balderick you lucky again last night..90th minute goal..
First time I saw you I thought you was Saudi in trousers...lol Then I I realised that I did not have me glasses on.
You been here too long..In any other country you would been an honarable citizen by now..lol
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HE WHO DARES WINS
just like greentea people ask me if im indonesian too :) It can be tiring after 5 years i agree, but think of it this way, you are educating people about the uniqueness of being indonesian.
greentea...at least they ask ;P
As a pasty white man I can generally tell one Asian nation from another. You'd think those who live there would stand an even better chance!
UK, You're a southern Scouse fan - it's no wonder people are easily confused!
Did you Google it first?
For me I don`t mind to ask where are u from and don`t mind to be asked as well. Coz`we`re living in multicultural country, I can`t make difference beetwen American and British/Indian and Srilankan/Thai and Burmese/Chinese and Korean. So, for the safe way I ask and the conversation will go smoothly.
Yes GreenTea ppl think I am pinoy...lol
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HE WHO DARES WINS
coz many times, i encountered people asking me if im Indonesian, but it didnt bother me :)
only now when you mentioned here... now i know... *wink*
BritExpat it takes about 10 minutes to explain to them where I am from.. As my appearance is deceptive...lol
No I have no problem telling them where I am from so then they get the right picture of me, which can lead to a much healthier conversation rather than ppl thinking that you is from another country only to same half way through the conversation "sorry i did not realise that you is from UK"
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HE WHO DARES WINS
"Where are you from?"
replacing
"How's it goin?"
"Good Morning'" etc...
LOL!
tya, you're really making a good debate out of this post.,:)
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call me ONE.
How would you feel if the first thing anyomne said to you was "Where are you from" ?
I do not really see what the nationality has to do with having a sensible conversation.
lol sweet_revenge..
What nationality are you by the way...lol
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HE WHO DARES WINS
Tya I must confess that on flight from London to Doha last year I thought this young lady flight attendant was a Flipino, only when I asked she informed me that she was Indonesian. At which I was feeling a bit stupid.
Yes I agree one should ask the nationality of one person before starting a conversation.
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HE WHO DARES WINS
I wish i can do that :D
eeyy sweet revenge, do i have to wear my shirt everyday or what? ;p believe me I did, but not every time I went out of course.
Next time wear a shirt which says, "Indonesian living in Qatar Dong!"=D
Best thing to do is to get used to it!Really, there's nothing you can do about it. The more you think, the more you'll get annoyed and angry. After all, there r lotsa Filipinos living in Qatar. So most people tend to think that all asian living in Qatar r filipinos.
=)
me thinks this is just an honest mistake., you really cant do anythin about it, unless you want to inform the whole filipino community that you're indonesian., :)
_________________
call me ONE.
I think it's a good post - it helps us be more aware of our assumptions about one's ethnicity.
Mandi
thx for ur comments guys, as u can see the title ~just my concern~ i`m not complaining i konw it happened all the time.
Vegas...I don`t care what the hell happen in the world with all the trouble as I said before it`s just my concern.
Solidsnake...I did already like what u said, only it`s with the pin...still it`s not working ;P so??
Well, people makes mistakes ms. Tya. It's really difficult for most of people to differentiate which is which and for most instances, we cannot always ask people about them whether they're a Filipina or an Indonesian. Not to offend you but really, if you want people not to mistakenly identify you as a filipina, you could wear your national dress or patch a flag on your shoulder. Peace!
This is a cross we all have to bear..
I am sometimes confused for an American....
vegas LOL
You can't teach experience...
In the US, if you are Arab you often are spoken to in Spanish.
Mandi
you should reply them with Bahasa Indonesia..or Javanese...or Sundanese...or Maduranese..or the rest of 360 tribal language in Indonesia.
Take it easy, take the positive: they may need to exhaust their tiredness speaking in English the wholeday.
I experienced often and I reply them with Bahasa Indonesia then I said I'm an Indonesian...smile.
But I do agree with you to come ask first where do we come from..