A reflection on race and differences,a good read

[Angelo]

It's called racial profiling, and extremly unsafe. Just all those white ladies that hold their purse tighter when I walk by. Really now, is every black guy you walk past going to steal your purse?

And what is it with white ladies and their sheepish smiles to us black dudes? It feels like they are patronising and I absolutely hate it, I don't smile back I just ignore! Does it mean?:

a) Hi there how are you doing ?
b) You are welcome here even though you are a darkie, feel free .
c) I love blacks so please don't rob me ?

 

[Syndyre]

Would there be anything wrong with a?

 

[Alan]

Eh I know plenty of white women who find black guys attractive

There are actually white female tourists who come here for black guys

I know a girl who's cousin from England arrived here and the very first thing she said was "Lets go find some black men"

Maybe most of it is in you head

 

[Bageloo]

I think c would be applicable to most cases. What I've noticed is that as soon as they get to know you better all of that disappears and you find them being overly friendly with you.

 

[Bageloo]

Eh I know plenty of white women who find black guys attractive

There are actually white female tourists who come here for black guys

I know a girl who's cousin from England arrived here and the very first thing she said was "Lets go find some black men"

Maybe most of it is in you head

One white remarked to her friends that once you go black you can't go back

 

[sox63]

One white remarked to her friends that once you go black you can't go back

I'm not talking about the horney white women, I'm talking about the most of them when you walk past them in a mall or in the streets. I don't like it when it happens to me.

I wonder what an person of Arabic decent feels like when they walk onto a plane and all the other passengers lookm at them suspiciously. (Thats if they eventually get on the plane after the grief they got from airport secuirity)

 

[BCO]

And what is it with white ladies and their sheepish smiles to us black dudes? It feels like they are patronising and I absolutely hate it, I don't smile back I just ignore! Does it mean?:

a) Hi there how are you doing ?
b) You are welcome here even though you are a darkie, feel free .
c) I love blacks so please don't rob me ?

lol, my mom works as a diversity trainer with big coroporates, and this subject comes up all the time.

This is a cultural thing. In many black cultures in SA, an explicit greeting (even to strangers) is the norm (AFAIK). So, for example, if a black dude gets into an elevator with some other people he will greet them.

In white culture, an explicit greeting is not the norm among strangers. However, a smile of acknowledgment is quite common. So a white person may climb into the elevator with someone else, and smile.

In other words, Angelo, it's not a "sheepish" smile, and it's not only directed from white women to black males. Many white people smile at strangers as a sign of politeness.

This is such a typical example of different groups of South Africans misunderstanding each others' culture-specific behaviours.

 

[Gnome]

As has been pointed out in white culture a small with no teeth showing is a smile of greeting, where a big smile with teeth showing is usually "HEEEELOOOOO!" As in she likes you.

 

[Bageloo]

lol, my mom works as a diversity trainer with big coroporates, and this subject comes up all the time.

This is a cultural thing. In many black cultures in SA, an explicit greeting (even to strangers) is the norm (AFAIK). So, for example, if a black dude gets into an elevator with some other people he will greet them.

In white culture, an explicit greeting is not the norm among strangers. However, a smile of acknowledgment is quite common. So a white person may climb into the elevator with someone else, and smile.

In other words, Angelo, it's not a "sheepish" smile, and it's not only directed from white women to black males. Many white people smile at strangers as a sign of politeness.

This is such a typical example of different groups of South Africans misunderstanding each others' culture-specific behaviours.

There are so many other cultural differences that are often misinterpreted as malice. Like for Africans it is disrespectful to look an adult in the eye whilst they are talking to you. To the westerner it can mean that you are not paying attention, being disrespectful or being dishonest.
In african culture a man must walk infront of a woman whereas in western culture a man is supposed to yield to a woman. For us black people it's a bit hard having to switch between these opposing manners.
There is no stranger in african culture. You are taught as a kid to greet all people whether you know them or not. The african culture is still very much communal. In the townships, you know most people in your section and you can borrow salt or sugar from the neighbour. There are no invitations to weddings and parties. If you see an erect tent you know that "ziyawa daar" -it's happening (You don't even have to know what is happening exactly, as long as there is booze and nyama), and you get your ass over there without fear of being called a gatecrusher. But slowly black people are moving towards a lifestyle very much like that of the westerners. For example, I don't know my neighbours in my house even though they are black we just greet each other and that's it. Most of us now communicate in english even though our languages are mutually comprehensible, especially the young ones.

 

[Angelo]

Would there be anything wrong with a?

Of course not, what do you take us for? But I would prefer for them to verbalise it.

 

[Angelo]

One white remarked to her friends that once you go black you can't go back

 

[Angelo]

lol, my mom works as a diversity trainer with big coroporates, and this subject comes up all the time.

This is a cultural thing. In many black cultures in SA, an explicit greeting (even to strangers) is the norm (AFAIK). So, for example, if a black dude gets into an elevator with some other people he will greet them.

In white culture, an explicit greeting is not the norm among strangers. However, a smile of acknowledgment is quite common. So a white person may climb into the elevator with someone else, and smile.

In other words, Angelo, it's not a "sheepish" smile, and it's not only directed from white women to black males. Many white people smile at strangers as a sign of politeness.

This is such a typical example of different groups of South Africans misunderstanding each others' culture-specific behaviours.

Thanks for your enlightenment but this real meaning might easily be misintepreted as opposed to simply saying "hi". And your are right about the misunderstandings, the best way to overcome them would be more interaction (like this for example) and having the confidence and sincerity to ask without fear. That's how we can move forward easily.

 

[Darth Garth]

On a lighter note, I saw on TV about a gang of white robbers led by a black robber, that robbed houses in Soweto yesterday.

Wow ... they are fully BEE compliant .

 

[kilo39]

Wow ... they are fully BEE compliant .

Nah, that would be one white bloke and lots of black blokes.

 

[BCO]

Thanks for your enlightenment but this real meaning might easily be misintepreted as opposed to simply saying "hi". And your are right about the misunderstandings, the best way to overcome them would be more interaction (like this for example) and having the confidence and sincerity to ask without fear. That's how we can move forward easily.

Agreed!

 

[Darth Garth]

Nah, that would be one white bloke and lots of black blokes.

No it is simply BEE S.A style where the black dude is the CEO of the "gang" and also gets the biggest slice of the loot .

 

[kilo39]

Thanks for your enlightenment but this real meaning might easily be misintepreted as opposed to simply saying "hi". And your are right about the misunderstandings, the best way to overcome them would be more interaction (like this for example) and having the confidence and sincerity to ask without fear. That's how we can move forward easily.

"Confidence and [-]sincerity[/-] honesty to move forward easily." And question: is the Zuma meet honest (it may be sincere, but sincere is a fickle thing.)

/Ah okay for the exact wording, "Confidence and [-]sincerity[/-] honesty to ask without fear."

 

[SK33T]

Jeez u guys know how to hijack a thread,I was just pointing out some real intresting facts that other races are better than others in alot of different ways,due to evolution.

Didnt want it to get political,we have too much of that **** as it is..........




As for the comments I made on the STEVE braai thing that was a political debate(thread)

 

[BCO]

Actually, I pointed out that that study is left seriously wanting in terms of its methodology and accordingly, its claims are highly suspect.

 

[kilo39]

Jeez u guys know how to hijack a thread,I was just pointing out some real intresting facts that other races are better than others in alot of different ways, due to evolution.

Some real jokers on this forum.