Awkward Situation
I just took a break at work and was reading in a corner in the Staff Lounge, a fairly big room.
15 minute break was over, got up and turned to leave through the door in the opposite corner of the room.
Almost at the door when I noticed a beared brown uncle sitting on one of the many square tables for four. We both nodded our head and said Good Morning as a professional routine and I was on my way out. I could feel his stare on my back as if he wanted to say something.
As I pushed the door:
Uncle: Are you Muslim?
I turned back with a hesitant smile thinking what do you think, of course I'm Muslim: "Yes"
Uncle with an excited look: "Mashallah, I'm Muslim too"
Me with hesitant smile and a nod muttered under my breath: "Alhamdulilah"
and quickly walked away...
Now I feel like I should have said something. The uncle looked quite excited and eager to talk to a Muslim hijabi working for the City. You know the look of pride and happiness, the pride of being Muslim and seeing Muslims practicing their faith in non-muslim countries. Yeah, that's the look he had.
I'm usually very hesistant to talk to any stanger men and respond with a straight face smile to any conversation started. This time I felt I should have said something because he didn't start a conversation just for the sake of talking but because he was so happy to see a Muslimah and more so to see a Muhajabah.
So he might have thought I'm arrogant and rude.
What should you say or do in such awkward situations?
15 minute break was over, got up and turned to leave through the door in the opposite corner of the room.
Almost at the door when I noticed a beared brown uncle sitting on one of the many square tables for four. We both nodded our head and said Good Morning as a professional routine and I was on my way out. I could feel his stare on my back as if he wanted to say something.
As I pushed the door:
Uncle: Are you Muslim?
I turned back with a hesitant smile thinking what do you think, of course I'm Muslim: "Yes"
Uncle with an excited look: "Mashallah, I'm Muslim too"
Me with hesitant smile and a nod muttered under my breath: "Alhamdulilah"
and quickly walked away...
Now I feel like I should have said something. The uncle looked quite excited and eager to talk to a Muslim hijabi working for the City. You know the look of pride and happiness, the pride of being Muslim and seeing Muslims practicing their faith in non-muslim countries. Yeah, that's the look he had.
I'm usually very hesistant to talk to any stanger men and respond with a straight face smile to any conversation started. This time I felt I should have said something because he didn't start a conversation just for the sake of talking but because he was so happy to see a Muslimah and more so to see a Muhajabah.
So he might have thought I'm arrogant and rude.
What should you say or do in such awkward situations?
posted by Desert Rose at 10:40 AM
4 Comments:
i like to say salaam to muslim strangers and, in situations like this one, ask them whether they are new to the city, if they need advice/help about masajid in the area or want to be connected to people through activities (assuming you have the hook-ups). you can usually gauge from this (brief) conversation whether the individual is shady, or how exactly to proceed, i think.
with respect to the salaam, i dont know- a "salaam alaikum" from a perfect stranger can make one feel at home.
Yes I guess I should have said salaam...
He wasn't new though, he's a bus driver so he is old enough to know the city quite well..
I am just worried about gender relations and proper Islamic adab (Etiquette) as to what should be done.
Usually I try to shy away from such conversations in fear of displeasing Allah, except for of course if the guy needs help with something or work related things or whatever real reason there is..
Fot this uncle though, I had no reason to talk to him but I felt bad because he was happy and it seemed like I ignored him.
Next time:
"Assalamualaikum" (friendly but polite and reserved smile)
"It's nice to see a fellow Muslim around. What masajid do you usually go to?"
"Alhamdulillah, that's good. Well, I don't mean to be rude and cut this short but I must be going, lots of things to do! Again, nice meeting you :)"
I find it disappointing as a Muslim that you did that. I think people need to spend more time looking at Islam from within instead of focusing on the superficial aspects of it.
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