After an encounter with prejudice I still respect veterans.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Today we were at a restaurant, and a middle age guy approached me, my brother and other in-laws. He began to say:

-Do you believe in Jesus?

Great! I thought: another preacher kind of fellow! We reverted to the standard we are not interested right now, getting ready to go etc. and I thought that was that.

Then it turned weird:

-I am a Persian Gulf veteran! You guys are evil!

Then I realized this guy was drunk, at least.

-You don’t belong here! I am an American war veteran! You guys should get out!

After several exchanges like that, growing in intensity, then I finally figure it out:

For some reason mi family, from Central America, does not have very Latino features, even though we have the typical light bronze skin. In the past many people have confused me with a Hindu or middle Easter person. This guy was thinking we were Iraqis!!

He decided to get out because we then mentioned that we were Mexican (standard quick answer to prevent even more double takes from people who would not find Central America in a map) and in no way middle easterners, and also because a manager approached to kick him out!

Well!

I did not have a chance to say we were American also (citizen for more than 8 years)
My in-laws (born Americans) began to apologize to us! I got to think later it was a very amusing situation, but I wonder if this is one of the reasons why I have had so much bad luck on my job hunting. And I begin to worry what could happen in the near future; I fear more incidents like this are coming.

Am I way out of line thinking this?

I am still upset. Darn it!

FWIW of my coworkers is a former Vietnam veteran and from time to time I give him rides to his home (distances here in Arizona are long). To me there is no reason to disrespect a guy that risked his life in a controversial cause. It was the leaders of then who deserve contempt (well hello there Mr. forget my Vietnam, and other mistakes, and get a 911 job Kissinger!). But what is the matter with some Persian gulf I (get ready for II) veterans?

2

Sorry to hear about that. Just remember, the military gets its personnel from the general public, and the general public is chalk full of idiots. I could never understand how being a veteran gives someone the right to be an ass or get special treatment. You’re a verteran, good for you, now try being a freakin’ human being for a change.

I served in the Navy for 7 years (happen to be hispanic too) and have the upmost respect for anyone else that has served up until they decide to be a jerk. At that point, they’re just another as****e.

3

Thanks for that Rug burn.

I was so upset only now I notice many mistakes on the post, but this one could confuse:

It is not “FWIW of my coworkers”

It is “FWIW one of my coworkers”

And to clarify more, not the same individual that confronted us in the restaurant.

4

Sounds like you had one of the 10%'ers accost you. Ten percent of any group are generally jerks. Folks may think people in the military are somehow all that different from those who are not. Same people, different training, but you can’t train someone not to be an a’hole. Sorry about that.

5

I am on the same side as unclebill and rug burn up to the 10% figure that UB quoted. I think it is more like 40%.

Maybe I am hanging with the wrong crowd.

6

Morons are everywhere, and being a vet doesn’t turn you into an angel.