Unfortunatly the share of "untinking" people in the US and all of the western world is far far greater then any share terrorists could even dream to hold. And I mean that in a factor of millions to 1.

well, I been called Middle eastern. See my avatar, don't I look like an arab in that pic a little bit? Now, remember this is not a racist thread at all. I admire Natalie Portman, she's my favorite actress. I'm talking about perception, I been called middle eastern and looked down for looking like I do. here in california, people are more open and it's in the news all the time. Muslim temples all around and people performing hate crimes on them. and like I said, from the middle eastern people i've met here, they do feel like they are being targeted. sorry, but that's the way it is. At the border, when I cross i've had the border patrol guy tell me they are looking for middle eastern looking people and also the same at the san diego airport, security there says the same thing. So, i'm not imagining this stuff. it's happening, you just have to open your ears.

To me you look like a classic Italian.
Agreed that some turks look like that too, but thats mainly the ones in the regions close to Itali. And saying that, I can't say I ever even heard mention of turkey (which is also in greater part muslim) as being one or even being considered as one of the targets in the WoT.

Wow! Sweeping generalisation-tastic!

People are people whatever area of the world they come from, you get murderers, rapists, torturers, religious fanatics, blood doners, charitable folk, etc, etc. in every society or culture. The main problem that seems to prevail in the west (esp. in America) is that "they" are fundamentally different from "us". Iranians (for example) worry about the US as they consider Americans to be violent warmongers who will lash out at any weaker nation. The last time I spoke to Iranians, this was the general attitude so forgive me if your experience of travelling in Iran was different.

Just as there are only a few terrorists in the middle east, there are only a few people directing US foreign policy.

We also have to remember that the current situation in the middle east is a result of hundreds of years of European and later American interference and so hasn't politically "evolved" without interference i.e. coups, oil companies, old school imperialism and so on.

At risk of posting (darn it!), I'm going to implore members to avoid replying to idiotic posts such as this. That way they will drop off of the main page sooner. Pretty please.

Originally posted by DenyAllKnowledge
Wow! Sweeping generalisation-tastic!

People are people whatever area of the world they come from, you get murderers, rapists, torturers, religious fanatics, blood doners, charitable folk, etc, etc. in every society or culture.

that is true. but i've heard some comments like these, and like i've said i'm in the US. this is what I had to hear from people.

From a marine : "We are at war with the middle east".

From a co worker: "We should nuke the entire middle east and end the problem".

From a Boder Patrol Agent: "We look for middle eastern characteristics and then we send them to second inspection".

From a Republican: "I fear muslims and i'll protect my country whatever it takes"

Originally posted by _Phoenix_
Yes you could probably pass as middle eastern maybe, a lot are light, just like you have dark and light italians, indians.

What are you anyway?

A mix of Arab, Gypsy, Spanish, Italian. Whatever else you want to throw in. I got beat up in middle school accused for being a rich Arab with oil resources and accused of having a rich father from Saudi arabia. But that's in my past.

Originally posted by neformore


I'd say it was a narrow minded bigoted point of view.

I would agree with you nerformore, that i'm coming from an american point of view, you see, people around here secretly discriminate against middle easterns. that's why it's important to discuss the issue. do you realize that companies aren't hiring middle easterns? my company has a 1% middle eastern employee pool. You are in england that why I think you don't understand my point. this is an american point of view. so I agree with you that you think it's bigoted point of view.

Having spent about 6 years in Israel,Lebanon,Iran and UAE I feel I'm a little qualified to answer you.

They have a greater respect for each other and the law.
They're more religious and respectable.
They are VERY tolerant of other religions.
They don't 'look' like anything except people.

Israelis look like Greeks.
Lebanese look like Americans and Israelis,
Iranians look like Lebanese and French.?.. huh? ridiculous..
Is that how you expect them to be described so border guards know how to 'identify' and categorise them?

The only thing I can say is you don't get many blondes..apart from that.. they look like us.. O yeah.. is that coz they are?

It's like me saying Americans are all fat and loudmouth,complain that the roads are too small and always have burgers in their hands..

Or that British always drink tea,start football fights and always shake your hand when you beat them at sporting events..

Boyohboyohboy..
I HATE tea..

Originally posted by TheComte

Many people throughout the Middle East, especially Arabs, take great pride in shows of hospitality, never failing to at least serve coffee and a snack such as figs but preferring to present guests with a lavish choice of expensive delicacies in abundance. To refuse such hospitality can cause offense.

Hahahaha. That is so true.

Especially when they almost force you to eat eat eat. You almost cannot refuse too lol.