Multicultural Clashes

The following example is from Toronto Canada. It is not made up but a real situation that if it happened in Canada could happen anywhere.

A an outraged neighbour filed a complaint against another tenant to the landlady over "an apparently inappropriate hallway interaction with his wife." The tenant tried to remember what he might have said to anyone that could have been misinterpreted.

It turns out the conversations went something like "Good Morning." No, that was about it. The target was a Muslim woman and her husband took offence. Why? Because a man cannot speak directly to a Muslim's wife. This offence led to warnings and illusions to the offender's imminent death.

On the one hand there is the basic Western politeness that leads one to say hello to your neighbour. On the other is the Muslim traditions brought into a foreign country. The Muslim is not expected to adopt any of the host countries traditions or norms but all in the host country are expected to adhere to the foreign rules.

In Australia the can lead to be charged in some States under religious vilification laws. In other States the risk is being charged under cultural insensitivity laws. Never for the foreigners, only for the Australians, and usually only white ones.

Int he Canadian case the 'offender' has to turn his back when the couple passes, never make eye contact and never hold the elevator for them, no matter what. Of course in our society if you started doing that you would be called a xenophobe and the behaviour would be cited as the reason why Muslim immigrants feel alienated in our country.

When is common sense gong to take over and we stand up and say "enough is enough" ?