anders deutsch

When we were working together on our blog post one German representative of the organisators of the summit came to us and asked us, where we are from. So we answered: Palestine, Lebanon, Berlin. Hearing my reply she seemed to be a bit confused and then said that this was not visible, since we three worked together so well (which we did). Up till then I had thought it was an innocent question. We are all from different places and it is interesting to know where we are from. But her reaction made me rethink. Why did she have to tell us, that it was not visible that I am from Berlin? Is it so unusual that Germans and Arabs work together? If it is, then what is the point of the summit? Or was it rather the case that she did not think I do not look German and she somehow tried to hide that she had not recognised me as German?

Yesterday at our panel discussion asked me where I am from. As far as I remember we were talking German. And I was wearing my Salwar Kamiz from Agra. So I told him first Germany and then "One can see that I am from Germany, can't one?" And he took it quiet well.

PS 28.05.11:The woman at the reception (in the new hotel) asked me where I am from, my name sounded interesting to her. She did not expect me answering Germany, but then without ado shifted to talk German with me, since she is German as well.