Fixated on govt workers overstepping their boundaries

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Forgive me if I used the wrong definition but it bothers me beyond normal and I want to get it out.
I am normal enough to not obsess about it with my friends but I keep thinking about it.
I’ve recently and not so recently been in situations where I had to deal with government in one shape or form or another.
Almost every time I felt like the govt worker was flexing on me or my loved one.
Examples include asking questions that aren’t within the normal range (and I just rolled with it because they were in a position of power); asking for extra documents; being thorough to the point where it seemed pedantic.

To be honest it’s mostly immigration related (which I guess is a privilege?) but it just grates on me.
Please talk some sense into me. I don’t want to snap at an unfortunate moment.

I realize it sounds a bit crazy but maybe someone will relate.

The constant here is you.

Yes, I am wondering if I am just overly sensitive or maybe something I say or do invites this kind of treatment?
But again, sometimes it’s my loved one and I just watch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a you issue. You have a chip on your shoulder and it annoys everyone.

I am interested to know more. I come in, I sometimes make some small talk, I have a very neutral behavior if that’s the right term. I am as bland as can be, just answer whatever is being asked (no matter what I feel inside).

[Anonymous]

Some people are just jerks or on a power trip or overly intrusive. In all areas of life, not just government. Snapping won’t help. You could politely say “I don’t understand how that is relevant” or “could you please explain why you asked that of me but no one else here” but unless it’s really egregious, usually faster to just answer and grouse about it later. And stop letting it get to you so much - you’re only hurting yourself. The jerk on the power trip doesn’t care!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a you issue. You have a chip on your shoulder and it annoys everyone.

I am interested to know more. I come in, I sometimes make some small talk, I have a very neutral behavior if that’s the right term. I am as bland as can be, just answer whatever is being asked (no matter what I feel inside).

The entire issue here is what you feel inside, and you connecting that feeling with the immigration officer.

This will sound weird, but try going in and feeling compassionate toward the officer. S/he may be going through their own tough day, dealing with personal issues, you never know. Thinking that way stops the connection between your feelings caused by the officer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people are just jerks or on a power trip or overly intrusive. In all areas of life, not just government. Snapping won’t help. You could politely say “I don’t understand how that is relevant” or “could you please explain why you asked that of me but no one else here” but unless it’s really egregious, usually faster to just answer and grouse about it later. And stop letting it get to you so much - you’re only hurting yourself. The jerk on the power trip doesn’t care!

Thank you!
My whole point is to avoid snapping as I will have to deal with this with my loved one in a few years and maybe before then as well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t like our government, you can go to the competition instead.

Bye.

It’s not the government
It’s the people who were immigrants once too (judging by their accents), and some people who are native born Americans but are from a protected class so they are supposed to be somewhat compassionate?! Weren’t they being oppressed?

Yes there are black people asking you questions on behalf of the government, no, they are not having fun or having a power trip when asking you questions, they are doing their jobs. No, they are not going to let things "get by" because of you made up assumption that they hate the U.S. seemingly as much as you do, no they do not feel "oppressed", they helped build this country and are thriving in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a you issue. You have a chip on your shoulder and it annoys everyone.

I am interested to know more. I come in, I sometimes make some small talk, I have a very neutral behavior if that’s the right term. I am as bland as can be, just answer whatever is being asked (no matter what I feel inside).

The entire issue here is what you feel inside, and you connecting that feeling with the immigration officer.

This will sound weird, but try going in and feeling compassionate toward the officer. S/he may be going through their own tough day, dealing with personal issues, you never know. Thinking that way stops the connection between your feelings caused by the officer.

I try to do that as much as possible but I’ve been burnt too many times!
I am always polite and I don’t think I am too relaxed/fearless to be irritating.
I think maybe it’s the age and PTSD from years of dealing with this?
However I always had a “visa allergy” as in I never visit countries that require visas unless I can get one as part of a special group or something.
Just wanted to make sure this quirk doesn’t become too bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t like our government, you can go to the competition instead.

Bye.

It’s not the government
It’s the people who were immigrants once too (judging by their accents), and some people who are native born Americans but are from a protected class so they are supposed to be somewhat compassionate?! Weren’t they being oppressed?

Yes there are black people asking you questions on behalf of the government, no, they are not having fun or having a power trip when asking you questions, they are doing their jobs. No, they are not going to let things "get by" because of you made up assumption that they hate the U.S. seemingly as much as you do, no they do not feel "oppressed", they helped build this country and are thriving in it.

There are questions and then there are other questions.
I am not saying ONLY a certain group can be on power trips, I am just surprised when someone who was once a target now makes others one.

[Anonymous]

We deal with so much fraud and you're complaining about being asked questions? Would you rather be denied? Get over yourself, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t like our government, you can go to the competition instead.

Bye.

It’s not the government
It’s the people who were immigrants once too (judging by their accents), and some people who are native born Americans but are from a protected class so they are supposed to be somewhat compassionate?! Weren’t they being oppressed?

Yes there are black people asking you questions on behalf of the government, no, they are not having fun or having a power trip when asking you questions, they are doing their jobs. No, they are not going to let things "get by" because of you made up assumption that they hate the U.S. seemingly as much as you do, no they do not feel "oppressed", they helped build this country and are thriving in it.

There are questions and then there are other questions.
I am not saying ONLY a certain group can be on power trips, I am just surprised when someone who was once a target now makes others one.

Is it possible people from an oppressed group are feeling/sensing some condescension toward them from you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Federal employees live with lots of guidelines on what they can and cannot do especially dealing with the public. What seems excessive to you might be required by their office.

No, I swear I was the only one among many I asked about it who was asked questions beyond what was in my application and prep materials. I would understand clarifying what was in the application but not asking me if I fully understand a theoretical concept and asking me to explain it.
Imagine trying to pass an algebra exam and being asked a physics question. And then when you can’t answer you are asked to read the definition out loud. Yes it is vaguely relevant I guess but it is just beyond the scope of the curriculum.
Happened to me, happened to my loved one when I was there to witness.
They didn’t “fail” us but it did feel like they were flexing on us.
I know many people don’t even notice so I want to let it go and move on, too. But I can’t, at least not yet.

There could have been something in your application that raised a question, or you could have been randomly selected for extra screening, or you could have gotten a particularly zealous officer. Or you could have been targeted, I'm not saying that's impossible. But most people are just trying to get through their day.

These officers usually have large caseload, they encounter fraud and incomplete paperwork all the time, and they can be fired for letting something through that they shouldn't. That doesn't excuse rudeness but might help you imagine their perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t like our government, you can go to the competition instead.

Bye.

It’s not the government
It’s the people who were immigrants once too (judging by their accents), and some people who are native born Americans but are from a protected class so they are supposed to be somewhat compassionate?! Weren’t they being oppressed?

Yes there are black people asking you questions on behalf of the government, no, they are not having fun or having a power trip when asking you questions, they are doing their jobs. No, they are not going to let things "get by" because of you made up assumption that they hate the U.S. seemingly as much as you do, no they do not feel "oppressed", they helped build this country and are thriving in it.

There are questions and then there are other questions.
I am not saying ONLY a certain group can be on power trips, I am just surprised when someone who was once a target now makes others one.

Who was once a target? You are making up scenarios about what people have experienced, you don't know what an individual has gone through. Also, even if the individual has been through someone they are not going to collude with you to betray the U.S. by committing fraud--do foreigners expect this of African Americans? We are now your servants in accomplishment your using the U.S. for your purpose and we have to do this because of the oppression Olympics? Do we need to start setting ourselves on fire to show our loyalty?

[Anonymous]

Hi you are a visitor, be greatful to be here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We deal with so much fraud and you're complaining about being asked questions? Would you rather be denied? Get over yourself, OP.

Look, I am not crazy and I expect BG checks and questions about the application.
What I don’t expect is an officer asking me to explain how I understand the oath of allegiance and asking me to explain it, and then mansplaining it to me. This has nothing to do with fraud or national security!
This is just the latest example but not the only one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t like our government, you can go to the competition instead.

Bye.

It’s not the government
It’s the people who were immigrants once too (judging by their accents), and some people who are native born Americans but are from a protected class so they are supposed to be somewhat compassionate?! Weren’t they being oppressed?

Yes there are black people asking you questions on behalf of the government, no, they are not having fun or having a power trip when asking you questions, they are doing their jobs. No, they are not going to let things "get by" because of you made up assumption that they hate the U.S. seemingly as much as you do, no they do not feel "oppressed", they helped build this country and are thriving in it.

There are questions and then there are other questions.
I am not saying ONLY a certain group can be on power trips, I am just surprised when someone who was once a target now makes others one.

Is it possible people from an oppressed group are feeling/sensing some condescension toward them from you?

I certainly don’t feel any condescension- not sure what they think.