Beware Of Xenophobia!
I always hear, one should not hate foreigners, be open-minded, don't prejudice them, etc, pp. Well, in fact, xenophobia can be found in foreigners, too. We (my wife and I) going to emigrate to Switzerland, and in preparation for that I read a lot about Switzerland and the Swiss. I also read, that the Swiss hate the Germans and they don't want us to live in Switzerland. This may be or not, but when I read this something changed in my mind. I got scared of becoming a victim of xenophobia and I didn't like to emigrate any longer.
Today I got a mail as a response of an application for a flat, saying that they'll check other competitors, too, before they can eventually give us the flat. My first thought was „This surely is because I'm german, he (the author) is xenophobe!” My second thought was „WTF? You don't know him, why do you think that? It's simply fair to check all competitors!”
As the foreigner in this case I can say, yes, xenophobia can be found on both sides and one should truly free his mind from shit like that!
Four fucking comments!
Borderliner wrote
It's never a good idea to trivialize. But yes, the Swiss are not too fond of foreigners living in their country. But the Germans aren't any better. In fact, both Nations don't like foreigners living in their country for the same reasons.
You, as a well educated individual, don't need to worry about this, though. The swiss do appreciate foreign brain-power. :)
Christian Kruse wrote
Thanks for your nice words! But I think you partly missed my point :) I was just saying that one has to free his mind from xenophobia, both sides.
Borderliner wrote
I didn't miss your point. I merely wanted to tell you that the Swiss and the Germans are a lot alike. And that both nations feel a certain disrespect for low-lifes, whereas educated immigrants are a welcome to almost everyone.
Caesar wrote
You do a good first step when moving abroad and get to know the others culture. I think it is not easy to get rid of xenophobia when all you know is what your own group does and thinks. The more you know about the "others" the less fear you have and th less evil they begin to appear.