Richard Shekari
2016
“Hi, do you speak English?” said the white slim lady to the nurse at the reception. “No, I did not go to Harvard because I am an Arab woman whose parents are low income earners!” answered the nurse. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way!” responded the white lady. “Maybe an identification and a ‘please’ added to your question would make your approach benign, don’t you think?” said the female nurse with a straight face staring straight into her eyes. “I am Rose Green, please I am here to see Doctor Abbas Hassan?” she replied smiling, a bit embarrassed by her first approach. “Now that, my sister is called courtesy. Our parents spend most of their precious time teaching us these things here!” remarked the nurse. She dragged a desk phone on the counter and picked the headset, dialled a number and spoke in Arabic mentioning Rose Green to the person she called then hung up, “Fifth floor, second office on your left!” “Thank you!” said Rose, she looked up the clock hanging on the wall behind the nurse as she walked away. “You’re welcome, Rose Green!” responded the nurse. “Excuse me?” said Rose as she turned. “ána úhibbu fustaanuk!” replied the nurse complimenting Rose’s dress. “Whatever!” she murmured.
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