Asian girl, English boy: travel as a mixed couple

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More than once I shaken Peters loving arm around my shoulder or his hand in mine: in the crowded streets of Cairo, the empty corridors of Jerash and even on the markets of Whitechapel here in London.

I think it is fair to say that I am more on the disapproval that could trigger our relationship, so I guess while innocently by my hand, who could see what you could think of, what you could say, what you could do.

In the early days of our relationship I got angry because Peter told a Bengalian waiter in conversation that we were a couple. He did not understand that it slandered my character.

You see that Bengalian girls are brought up to remain true to their culture and, above all, be pure and chaste. In my opinion it was better to pretend to be Peter and I friends.

Nowadays I am less concerned about what people think, but it is easy to say if we have made ourselves comfortable in London. What about Jordan or Egypt or Morocco or Tunisia?

could we be so carefree in the streets of Amman and Cairo? In these cities I made more attention to covering up and more thought that I was there-an Asian girl named Abdullah-with a white Norwich boy called Watson.

The first thing I learned was that I really didn't have to worry.

As long as I dressed properly and we did not express public love, we were faced with zero negativity. That means I can't say that there were not one or the other unpleasant Situation.

Here are some of the things that are likely to meet similar couples abroad.

people will assume that they are married

All locals in Peter as my “husband” described in both Egypt and Jordan - there was no question or doubt that he could not be. Regardless of the fact that I had no ring on my finger or that after one or two poorly guided marriages I had no tendency to do everything again.

shopkeeper, receptionist, taxi driver, all talked to me about my "husband". It makes little sense to correct this, even if it comes with feet even if your feminist views of the appreciation that unmarried women are rarely granted.

I am sure that in some cases people knew that we were not married but kept a sense of social decency. I just smiled and nodded. It was the most gracious thing to do.

The booking under an "ethnic" name can lead to problems

With his dark brown hair and the ubiquitous beard, Peter could definitely be thought to be a Mediterranean country, but it is unlikely that someone would believe that he is an "Abdullah" - even if he is alder and dressed up.

alt = ““> “It is unlikely that someone would believe that he is an 'Abdullah' - even if he is silly and dressed up.”

So imagine he is trying to check in a hotel or order a drink or book WiFi or to do anything under the name Abdullah.

When I am not with him and perform to say: "Ah, that's me", it is likely that he will get everything from an upside to an open interrogation.

For us, this was always a more charming comedy scene than the other way around Homeland, but it is worth thinking about it for couples who are new to the scene.

You are asked (many) personal questions

To be honest, it even happens when I'm not with Peter. Here is what I tweeted on a trip to Chicago in 2010.

An Asian disguised as a Texas Cowgirl in a bar in Chicago with a British accent ... I wonder if I should take a sign with an explanation.

-Kia Abdullah (@kiaabdullah) October 15, 2010

My indefinite browness means that people always want to know what I am. I was asked if I am Thai, Singapore, Pakistaner, Indian, Tunisian and twice to my limitless joy. This curiosity will be reinforced when I am with Peter. When he tells someone that we are from London, he usually turns to me and says: 'And you?' Once a Cambodian laughed me in the face when I said "I also come from London".

More than my ethnicity, people are interested in the Middle East and North Africa for my religion. 'Are you Muslim? Is your father Muslim? Your husband is converted, yes? He has to convert! Are you praying? Do you fast? «What to do me…

There will be super unpleasant situations

I had just answered a flood of questions from my taxi driver on the way to Petra. Yes, my father is Muslim. Yes, me too. Yes, I can read Arabic. Yes, I read the Koran. Yes, of course I know Surah Fatiha (the Muslim equivalent to the Lord's Prayer).

At this point he said: "You have to recite it for me." "Um, no, no, I couldn't," I said, British reluctance buzzed through my veins. "No, no, you have to." "No, no, no. Really, I can't - please." "You have to. You are in our country. You have to."

Well, what should I say? And so I recited a slaughtered version of the Surah Fatiha in my childhood arabic, which was always red with every verse.

Like a disappointed parent with a testimony full of CS, he deceived approval and tacitly turned his focus back on the street. Peter patted my hand encouragingly. I just shrunk into my seat.

It will probably not be worse than at home

It was the first wedding we visited as a couple. Peter looked horribly good in his gray suit and I hadn't scrubbed myself too badly either. When we entered the traditional English church, the Saaldiener Peter asked whether we were with the bride or the groom, and then promptly showed us the way.

When I was about to pass, the Square stopped me and asked the same question. "I, uh, I'm with him." I pointed to Peter. Accordingly, the place of space apologized and let me go.

Something like that happens occasionally, but instead of being insulted, I am mostly amused. Sure, it would be great if we were all color blind when it comes to racing, but that's just not the course of the world.

If you can accept that you and your partner are different and that people will be curious about these differences - both in Germany and abroad - then you will most likely be absolutely fine than travel as a mixed couple.
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