BlackburnRovers wrote:I never really understood the "respect for national dress" thing.
Firstly, why on earth should people respect others based on their clothing? I respect elders, women, children, but based on clothes??
Secondly, even if expats gain an unfair respect advantage through clothing, why on earth should that be a problem for authorities?
I speak Arabic with a Khaleeji accent, so will I be told not to do so, in case people mistake me for a local (which they sometimes do, specially over phone) ?
The dress thing took place about 12 years ago and came out of Abu Dhabi.
I agree respect should be given to all regardless of their station in life, dress, culture, etc. You would be amazed how non-locals wearing local dress would take advantage of it. Especially acting arrogant and rude and thinking they could get away with it. Why change the way you dress to get respect? Let people respect you for who you are.
And I think you are missing the point. This is not about accents or being mistaken over the phone. My point was how people wanted to appear to be something they weren't. I'm mistaken for being from the UK and I'm not, so I just correct it. No biggie.
Just a suggestion: Try wearing local dress for one week, every day, and tell me you don't see a difference in treatment?