Are we racist? What would you do? Any Indian people here?

[Anonymous]

I would pay out of pocket to move if necessary. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmmmmm this is tricky. I'm Indian American and yes, that is a Hindu symbol that can be found all over India and has peaceful connotations there so they are not making that up. Obviously it's a hateful symbol in the US and Europe. So I can see why everyone is convinced that you are creating a problem that isn't there...But I agree that you have hostility with the neighbor, and the neighbor isn't Indian, and is probably trying to mess with you by drawing that symbol. He's using the prevalence of Indian people to try and get away with it. So IMO you are a little bit trapped. Don't focus so much on the symbol, but be very watchful of this neighbor. I can only see the hostility escalating.

I am also Indian-American and NOPE, nothing tricky about this situation. It was very clearly intentional but clearly these people don't like you (prob they are the racists, OP, honestly, you are in the Middle East, people don't like Jews). I would raise this to your employer and ask if you can move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think most folks have covered the move out part..

On the swastika:

https://journalsofindia.com/ancient-indian-symbol-of-the-swastika/

The swastika is commonly seen in India today as a ubiquitous symbol adorning temples, homes, vehicles, and on walls above entrances and doors and it carries a purely auspicious and welcoming meaning.

Unlike the black hakenkreuz of the Nazis, the swastika used by Indians is usually red or yellow in colour, is not tilted to the right, and has dots at each corner, which are believed to represent the four Vedas.
Swastika symbol adoption by Hitler-

Despite its association for centuries with the symbolism and practice of the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religions, many people in Europe and America see the swastika only as the defining symbol of the antisemitic, racist, fascist Third Reich (1933-1945) of Adolf Hitler.

Yes, I understand what the swastika means in India. But Dubai is NOT INDIA. Just like the US is NOT INDIA. If drawing swastikas over someone's door is wrong in the US, which is not India, then it should be wrong in any country that is...not India.

First, the Hindu swastika and the Nazi swastika are very different looking. Google to see the difference. Once you know the difference, there is no way you’d mistake one for the other.

Second, drawing a Hindu swastika is acceptable anywhere a Hindu is living, so it can be drawn over a door in Dubai.

If what was drawn over your door was actually the Hindu swastika, then maybe someone is trying to initiate a peace gesture to you, and so you don’t need to take offense.

However, if what was drawn over your door was a Nazi swastika, then you have a different issue to handle.

Agree. You need to look at the difference between the way the symbol is written in Hindu scriptures and the the different way the Nazis write it (and defiled it.). Amongst Hindus, the swastika is a symbol of prosperity and good luck and is NOT rotated. Whereas the Nazis rotated it and used it as a symbol for hate, oppression, and terror. Please do some research before rushing to judgment.

[Anonymous]

It’s going to be too much trouble to move if you are only there 3 months. Why not bring your neighbor some chocolates as a peace offering or invite him to dinner or something. Same with the management company man. Just say you got off the wrong foot. Maybe send some flowers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think most folks have covered the move out part..

On the swastika:

https://journalsofindia.com/ancient-indian-symbol-of-the-swastika/

The swastika is commonly seen in India today as a ubiquitous symbol adorning temples, homes, vehicles, and on walls above entrances and doors and it carries a purely auspicious and welcoming meaning.

Unlike the black hakenkreuz of the Nazis, the swastika used by Indians is usually red or yellow in colour, is not tilted to the right, and has dots at each corner, which are believed to represent the four Vedas.
Swastika symbol adoption by Hitler-

Despite its association for centuries with the symbolism and practice of the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religions, many people in Europe and America see the swastika only as the defining symbol of the antisemitic, racist, fascist Third Reich (1933-1945) of Adolf Hitler.

Yes, I understand what the swastika means in India. But Dubai is NOT INDIA. Just like the US is NOT INDIA. If drawing swastikas over someone's door is wrong in the US, which is not India, then it should be wrong in any country that is...not India.

First, the Hindu swastika and the Nazi swastika are very different looking. Google to see the difference. Once you know the difference, there is no way you’d mistake one for the other.

Second, drawing a Hindu swastika is acceptable anywhere a Hindu is living, so it can be drawn over a door in Dubai.

If what was drawn over your door was actually the Hindu swastika, then maybe someone is trying to initiate a peace gesture to you, and so you don’t need to take offense.

However, if what was drawn over your door was a Nazi swastika, then you have a different issue to handle.

Agree. You need to look at the difference between the way the symbol is written in Hindu scriptures and the the different way the Nazis write it (and defiled it.). Amongst Hindus, the swastika is a symbol of prosperity and good luck and is NOT rotated. Whereas the Nazis rotated it and used it as a symbol for hate, oppression, and terror. Please do some research before rushing to judgment.

except there is no actual practice of Hindus drawing swastikas on Jewish people’s doors as a peace offering. Come on. this was intended to scare OP.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I missed it, but how would this neighbor know you are Jewish? Did you tell him?

[Anonymous]

The question is, did they know you are Jews? The Arab smoking neighbor?
I can tell you that the smoking sign might be there, but nobody in the middle east will kick anyone out for smoking. You made a cultural mistake when complaining about it.
Second, he is an Arab, and you are Jewish if they know about that fact. Jews are right now considered racist in the Middle East, and you should know that Jews are also hated there.

You should ask the company to move you as you are exposed to discrimination but do not act like that, culturally unaware at your next place when your Arab neighbor will be smoking again.
Expecting anyone in the Arab Middle East to take the side of Jews in this political era will not fly. They see you as a Jew who is discriminating against Arab and Indians. At the same time, Israel is shelling their brothers all the time.
This might prompt you to learn more about how Israel is perceived in the Muslim Middle East. German's boss is a Muslim Arab, and he will keep him happy over you. You opened up a horrible can of worms by complaining about smoking, which is 100% acceptable in the Middle East, regardless of the sign. They are wrong and evil, too, btw in their racism towards you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s going to be too much trouble to move if you are only there 3 months. Why not bring your neighbor some chocolates as a peace offering or invite him to dinner or something. Same with the management company man. Just say you got off the wrong foot. Maybe send some flowers.

Is this acceptable for women to do in Arab culture, especially if her husband is not present? I’m pretty sure this is not culturally acceptable there.

OP, for your safety, do not do this. Your friendly gesture may be mistaken as a sexual advance or something. No way would I invite two foreign men that I don’t know into my apartment in Dubai. This will increase your troubles.

[Anonymous]

OP can you move to a different floor in this building, to get away from the smoker?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s going to be too much trouble to move if you are only there 3 months. Why not bring your neighbor some chocolates as a peace offering or invite him to dinner or something. Same with the management company man. Just say you got off the wrong foot. Maybe send some flowers.

Is this acceptable for women to do in Arab culture, especially if her husband is not present? I’m pretty sure this is not culturally acceptable there.

OP, for your safety, do not do this. Your friendly gesture may be mistaken as a sexual advance or something. No way would I invite two foreign men that I don’t know into my apartment in Dubai. This will increase your troubles.

100%! OMG, people here are completely clueless. Now OP reaching out to the wife of the neighbor(if he has one) will be ok.

[Anonymous]

The majority of the responses/suggestions on this thread are ridiculous and completely out of line. Hoping it’s the work of just one troll.

Op, you need to go to the German owner and tell him that you are terminating your rental contract both because the terms you signed for (a nonsmoking floor) are not being met,causing a health hazard to your child and moreover after raising the issue you were subjected to a hate crime which the building staff refuses to take seriously. If he tries to refuse releasing you front the contract threaten to blast the details of this incident across social media/the expat community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s going to be too much trouble to move if you are only there 3 months. Why not bring your neighbor some chocolates as a peace offering or invite him to dinner or something. Same with the management company man. Just say you got off the wrong foot. Maybe send some flowers.

Is this acceptable for women to do in Arab culture, especially if her husband is not present? I’m pretty sure this is not culturally acceptable there.

OP, for your safety, do not do this. Your friendly gesture may be mistaken as a sexual advance or something. No way would I invite two foreign men that I don’t know into my apartment in Dubai. This will increase your troubles.

Oh please. This isn’t the 1800s. It’s fine for her to invite them to her home. Dubai is modern. If she answers the door topless and in a thong then they may get the wrong idea

[Anonymous]

Your issue is with your chain smoking, Arab neighbor. He’s F-ing with you for complaining about him.

You’re turning this into an issue about a symbol that is sacred to some people and no one that it’s sacred to put it on your door.

The guy is calling you racist because you’re making this about the symbol, not the fact that you and your neighbor have issues.

Stop blaming the cleaners who have no reason whatsoever to f with you. You know who your problem is with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The majority of the responses/suggestions on this thread are ridiculous and completely out of line. Hoping it’s the work of just one troll.

Op, you need to go to the German owner and tell him that you are terminating your rental contract both because the terms you signed for (a nonsmoking floor) are not being met,causing a health hazard to your child and moreover after raising the issue you were subjected to a hate crime which the building staff refuses to take seriously. If he tries to refuse releasing you front the contract threaten to blast the details of this incident across social media/the expat community.

You are incredibly ignorant to the ways of the region OP is living. She should absolutely not escalate the situation as you describe and further risk her safety.

It’s unclear why OP is in Dubai for the Summer. If it’s for work, then her company should financially support moving her to another apartment building. If it’s for pleasure, then OP will need to incur the relocation costs. Either way, OP should consider moving quickly. In no way should she continue to jeopardize her safety by escalating the situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s going to be too much trouble to move if you are only there 3 months. Why not bring your neighbor some chocolates as a peace offering or invite him to dinner or something. Same with the management company man. Just say you got off the wrong foot. Maybe send some flowers.

Is this acceptable for women to do in Arab culture, especially if her husband is not present? I’m pretty sure this is not culturally acceptable there.

OP, for your safety, do not do this. Your friendly gesture may be mistaken as a sexual advance or something. No way would I invite two foreign men that I don’t know into my apartment in Dubai. This will increase your troubles.

Oh please. This isn’t the 1800s. It’s fine for her to invite them to her home. Dubai is modern. If she answers the door topless and in a thong then they may get the wrong idea

wtf no. this guy literally just threatened her with a swastika.