Culture clash in the hallway

[YmirGF]

I found this article somewhat interesting and wondered what others thought about it. In particular, I am interested in what Muslims think about the "problem" outlined in the story. Is it a taboo? Is the writer in the wrong? What do you think? Why?

Hallway culture clash

In a Toronto apartment building, a feud has broken out over a neighbourly 'hello.' What hath multiculturalism wrought?
Matthew Coutts, National Post Published: Friday, May 22, 2009


In trying to adapt to a patchwork of often conflicting cultures, has civility become the casualty of accommodation?

When the landlady of my Toronto apartment building said an outraged neighbour had filed a complaint about me over an apparently inappropriate hallway interaction with his wife, my mind raced through the countless conversations I've had with fellow tenants, none of which seemed a possible source of offence.

It turns out, it wasn't a salacious transaction that had caused the complaint, but rather a neighbourly and -- to me -- entirely forgettable greeting, little more than a brief "good morning" as I passed my neighbours on the way to work.

Still, it was enough of an affront for the man -- once a doctor somewhere in the Middle East, my landlady clarified -- to feel I had broken a cultural taboo. The incident started an awkward feud which has involved warnings not to repeat my indiscretion and one face-to-face shouting match, which included allusions to my impending death.

I expect the battle will wage on, as we appear to be stuck at an impasse.

Full Story: Canadian National Post: Hallway Culture Clash

[Odion]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

an outraged neighbour had filed a complaint about me over an apparently inappropriate hallway interaction with his wife,

Wow, that guy needs a slap. The writer's done nothing wrong except being civil.

If this is "culture", I'm a unicorn handler. It's controlling and misogyny, plain and simple.

Now, if the writer of the article had rubbed up and down against the wife of the man, or given her a crude comment like "Phwoarrrr!! I bet that veil looks good on the floor!", then I would totally understand.. but when saying "good morning" to someone because they're female is a taboo, then it says about as much as needs to be said for that person. Trying to say it's the person's culture where they were brought up is just an easy way to get the guy in trouble, since nobody wants to offend, but it's just unfair to do that.

Wow, I sound like I'm turning into a right winger!

[Kilgore Trout]

I hope this is a case of the guy just being a psycho, and not actually a reflection of the culture. If people from the middle east think they can come to western nations and act like this, they're going to have problems. The guy is lucky the writer is a friendly, non-confrontational guy. If you go around screaming this type of insanity at many people, along with threatening their lives, you're going to end up in a world of hurt.

[themadhair]

The right not to be offended isn't something recognised in western societies. Good thing too - the man is a muppet.

[Nepenthe]

It's a fine line between respecting different cultural and religious beliefs and kowtowing to the irrational prejudices of silly belief systems. I'm reminded of situations where a female shakes a Hassidic rabbi's hand and then all hell breaks loose.

That's why I greet my neighbors with a "**** you". It clears up any ambiguities or cultural misinterpretations.

[Seyorni]

He's living in Toronto, not Riyadh. He needs to acculturate or go home.

[zenzero]

Friend YmirGF!,

Would suppose it too be an One off incident, and close the issue, without aggravating it further.

LOve & rgds

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by zenzero

Friend YmirGF!,

Would suppose it too be an One off incident, and close the issue, without aggravating it further.

LOve & rgds

I don't know, ZenZero. I know there is a larger Muslim population "back east" so it may be somewhat less than uncommon. Frankly, I haven't heard of it before -- in Canada, at least.

[Smoke]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

The incident started an awkward feud which has involved warnings not to repeat my indiscretion and one face-to-face shouting match, which included allusions to my impending death.

If the doctor is making threats, the writer and/or the landlady should file a complaint with the police and with the immigration authority. And possibly with the Canadian Medical Association.

It would be a good idea -- though I don't suppose it has a snowball's chance in hell of happening -- to return the doctor and his human property (assuming she wants to go) to whatever mullah-ridden tribe they came from, as they are obviously not prepared to live in a civilized country.

[Father Heathen]

It's arrogant to immigrate to another country and then expect the locals there to adapt to your culture and customs. If you cannot attempt to integrate into or at least respect the local culture then your *** needs to go back home.