The truth is that in NZ, or should I say in Auckland, everybody is coming from somewhere, which makes it a very multi-cultural, vibrant and fun place to live....most of the time. This very fact makes me mostly feel an organic part of this city, it's multiple shapes, colors, people and traditions make it unique and almost one of a kind place to live.
I'm the citizen of the world
BUT....there is one underlying "BUT", which occasionally raises it's head and shatters my sweet illusion of equality, that I am so possessive of. This "BUT" is so deeply built in in every level of every-day living, in the way that all the systems operate, be it education, economy or health related. This "BUT" makes me question my equality, makes me wonder that maybe, just maybe, some of us are more equal then the others.
My impression is that as long as I keep my mouth shut, my European appearance, actually gives me some "bonus points"....until I start speaking..., then the story begins. It is, especially, interesting to experience in work situations, mostly, with the variety of patients, who come to consume health services in the prestige upmarket medical center, that I work in. It all starts with their inability to pronounce my name, even at second or third attempt. I have learnt not to insist on that, because after all, people who really matter did make an effort to remember the four letters of my name. Then comes the question of where are you from ORIGINALLY! Because saying that I live in the area, doesn't seem to do the trick. At this point, I just act according to my mood on that specific day. Sometimes, I would say that I am an Israeli and it has been more then once that in response, I have received a prolonged silence and a cautious look ...After all, who wants to argue with the nurse, who will soon be invading your privates?
Other times, I decide to be Russian, which is many times met by a following response: "So did u catch a nice Kiwi boy, aye?" "No, I have brought my own"- would be my determined response, as if Russian women don't have any other talents, then "catching" innocent Kiwi boys.
Of course, not to be forgotten, another encounter is coming to my mind. On this occasion, I have spent good 45 minutes of my precious time during the shift with a patient and his wife, discussing in details his medical circumstances and giving him the best practice nursing advice, making sure that the message has gone through and was understood (as every nurse normally would do). Only I was completely shocked to discover in the morning, that our valued costumer wasn't pleased with that "foreign nurse's" accent, which is why the information didn't sound credible enough for his delicate taste. He had also not forgotten to mention how he wasn't pleased with the skills of "that Indian doctor"..., who is, by the way, one of the best doctors in the field!
Useless to mention, how frustrated, angry and unapologetic I have felt, BUT hey!!!! He is a paying, white skin, proper British accent, costumer and I am just a nurse, who in my my shorter life then his, managed to learn that we all bleed the same colour.
This motive is often repeated in different variations across various spheres of life, be it healthcare, education, job opportunities, or mortgage opportunities in the bank. Unfortunately, "face control" or accent control (which is a little easier to hide for extra 5 minutes, then the face) still largely influence our collective sub- consciousness.
The only thing that matters, in my view, is the way we choose to go about it. I have, personally, decided to keep my head, my standards and my heels high!
I have found that if I remain confident and proud about who I am, this concept is largely radiated to the people around me and makes them see that the beauty lies in diversity.
My accent...., oh, my accent!!!! It has become inseparable part of our work dynamics, there are items and words that are "named" after me and are only pronounced the way I pronounce it, even in my absence.
"Irit, where have you been?? It has been sooo quiet without you!"- this has become the most precious "I miss you" sentence, I have ever heard and the best proof that we make our world and not the other way around!
