query for sikhs living in USA or CANADA

prabhdeep_hanspal · #1 (**permalink**) 31-Mar-2005, 00:53 AM

vaahe guru ji ka khalsa , vaahe guru ji ki fateh
i dont know if i'm posting this msg at right place, but brothers i wanted to know how do gore treat our sikh brothers i mean if a sikh child is born in country like USA made to go to school how does other children treat him, imean are sikhs getting a recoginition as sikhs, is there enough awareness about sikhs in USA (especially eastern costal area, like NY) , i hope atleast they are no considered as muslims (by looks) cuz after september 11 they have turned hostile towards muslims and wot i heard was that some sikhs also had to pay for it bcoz of lack of recognizalbe stature.

Arvind · #2 (**permalink**) 31-Mar-2005, 04:06 AM

Veer,

When one stays strong, loves the environment, likes the people around, offers help with smile, always work for betterment of surroundings, attempts to bring a peaceful and harmonius world - all done selflessly without any expectations or any kind of returns, then your concern may not matter.

I welcome you to explore the bigger world, and let people know who you are. And incidentally, I personally never cared much about whether sikh community people are around me or not, where I live.

Just my personal thinking.

Regards.

PS: And all the best for higher studies. Make the university a criteria for higher studies, and not the sikh population there. Venture out new places

prabhdeep_hanspal · #3 (**permalink**) 01-Apr-2005, 00:47 AM

GurFateh arvind ji,
thanx for replying, i agree with wot u say but i asked the question because i was more concerned about how will ppl deal with me there like my classmates proffessors , i mean won't it b difficult for me to find friends ????, okie even if i dont bother for it , wont i feel lonely like no one to talk no one to be with because they will feel it different for me , like stranger or some primitive guy. ????

Arvind · #4 (**permalink**) 01-Apr-2005, 03:31 AM

different, stranger, primitive..!!! There were/are sikh students in almost any university, I guess, and due to their intelligence and hard work, they continue to reach newer heights.

There are thousands of students here, and many sikhs in the remotest areas which you could imagine. So I dont consider your concern a valid one. But that s just me!

S|kH · #5 (**permalink**) 01-Apr-2005, 06:00 AM

I go to school in the US...

It's really not that hard unless you make it hard on yourself. Never let it get to you that "oh he's not being my friend just because I have a dhari or turban".

Frankly, I have more gore friends that most indians, and I'm more appreciated by other races and cultures than the average indian or Fob that comes ot America and the first thing they do is cut their hair.

Trust me, you already know how to speak english, you'll be ok, and watch you'll gain more friends than Fobs ever could. Your probably down with western culture more than the fobs are.

Kids that come straight from India, have a bit more trouble, but they make it out to seem much harder than it is.

I play basketball with a pugh and dhari, I listen to hip hop, all my friends know what a Sikh is, and the differnece between a Sikh and hindu/muslim, and I also do bhangra.

Don't worry about it, you will make friends, whether they be hindus, muslims, goray, or kalay.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-youth/2675-query-for-sikhs-living-usa-canada.html

You will face racism, but tell me where you won't? Racism in America, but Sardar jokes thrown at your face in India...

And as far as them making you feel like a stranger, they may ask you questions about your appearance, but don't take it as an insult immediately or that they are singling you out...most likely, there just curious. Just explain, and they should move on.

ravisingh · #6 (**permalink**) 01-Apr-2005, 12:45 PM

This Canadian's perspective:
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=2675

I agree with S]kh wholeheartedly. Being a sardar and having completed 8 years of University schooling I have had the same experiences as he has. Most of my friends are not Sikh (in fact my best friends are Jewish, Muslim and Christian) and I think that you will find that non Indians are far more open minded and willing to be your friends than Indians.

If you are respectful, friendly and speak English I do not think you will have any problems at all. I have found and been told by many that Sardars generally have a very outgoing personality --no doubt because we stick out like sore thumbs wherever we go --and this certainly helps in making new friends no matter where you go.

You will certainly face racism. I think it is good to expect this but as S]kh said often what may seem like racism is only curiousity and should be seen as an opportunity to make a friend --if they are asking they are interestec.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=2675

I will give you one tip though. People often discount the importance of the differences in body language between cultures. Body language plays a big part in building rapport. For example, Indians and asians in general have a much smaller "bubble" than Americans and especially Canadians. That means that the socially appropriate distance between people when they are having a conversation is different in different cultures. If you talk closer than is the cultural norm people of that culture will subconsciously want to move away from you and may even find you "creepy". I've noticed that many new arrivals don't account for this and often have trouble building rapport in their new countries.

Best of luck and I strongly encourage you to consider studies overseas if you are open-minded and comfortable with change.

Ravi Singh

Arvind · #7 (**permalink**) 01-Apr-2005, 23:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S|kH

It's really not that hard unless you make it hard on yourself. Never let it get to you that "oh he's not being my friend just because I have a dhari or turban".

S|kh and Ravi veer have gone to detail to reply to your concern veer.

Stay strong, Be what you are, there is nothing stopping you. Any question which people ask you, take that in the spirit of their curiosity and platform for you to explain them the real stuff. btw, I happened to teach in local technical college, and all students there became good friends of mine, as it was their first exposure as well.

Regards.

UnstoppableSingh · #8 (**permalink**) 08-Apr-2005, 06:21 AM

I also got to agree with S|kh and Ravi bhajis

Life is as easy as you make it. Most newbies try to act a certain manner and are rough to deal with that is what causes a problem.

Now i've been through the whole schooling system here (born and raised in Toronto) and its very true that a Sikh is more appreciated by Non-Indians then he is by Indians. Personally most FOBs have an inferior complex and try to hard but still can't seem to blend in. Thats the problem.

Sher Singh · #9 (**permalink**) 20-Apr-2005, 07:52 AM

Anything is possibe, i remember when i was younger i was immeditaely accepeted, no one cared whether i had a turban or not. As we grow older we grow wiser, and questions arise within us and within our community (Sikh and non-Sikh) as to who we/they are and why do we/they, act/wear/behave (what) the way they do. You should prepare yourself by answering your questions as well as what you think others will have. Also, in today's world there are vast resources with which we can learn more about, one which i can immediatly name is the Internet. The interent is the most used source for information, we use it everyday of our lives practically, just like how you as well as I are using it now. Gore, if taught now about Sikhi will understand it and appreciate it. even if we dont do it now they will eventually ask, and so be content and answer they're question. Moreover, we are taught to be our own person, be individuals, etc. As Sikhs we demonstate this by wearing what we do and acting the way we do. We will be accepted, no one should tease you and yes you will most definatly make friends! And leave the rest to Guru Ji.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=2675
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=2675

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh!!!