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Topic: Tell All

Rundler
editor
Babbler # 2699

posted 04 April 2003 09:29 AM

I kicked myself for chickening out. I felt like one of those idiots I frequently chide for not being gay enough or out enough or resistant enough to stupid discrimination. On a usual day, arm in arm with my transsexual boyfriend, I don’t care what other people think. I take pleasure in the idea that we shake up a few assumptions. But face to face with someone who has the power to curtail my travel freedom, or restrict my access to the toaster, I waffle. > by Christina Starr

http://www.rabble.ca/everyones_a_critic.shtml?x=20524

[ 04 April 2003: Message edited by: Rundler ]

From: the murky world of books books books | Registered: May 2002 | IP: Logged

paxamillion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2836

posted 04 April 2003 09:42 AM

I understand the fear. Try explaining to a US Customs official that you are going to the US to speak at a convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. I didn't. I said it was a conference on addiction and that I was attending.

Sometimes it just isn't worth the hassle. I'm not ashamed of my alcoholism, nor do I feel I have to be "out" about it with everyone I meet.

From: the process of recovery | Registered: Jul 2002 | IP: Logged

DrConway
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 490

posted 04 April 2003 03:56 PM

quote:
But face to face with someone who has the power to curtail my travel freedom, or restrict my access to the toaster, I waffle.

I concur. When I go through Customs I make it an iron-clad rule to answer all questions as directly and with as few words as possible, and to volunteer no information.

Sometimes it's just not worth the hassle of scoring some point only to piss off some beefy Customs official whose notions about visitors to the USA are shaped by the mandatory stationing on the Mexico border when one first starts out. Only when you get older and get some seniority do you have the ability to get rotated out to the Canadian border or other such cushier jobs.

From: You shall not side with the great against the powerless. | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

Timebandit
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1448

posted 04 April 2003 04:47 PM

US Customs: Where are you going?

Me: Santa Fe, New Mexico, by way of Albuquerque, to visit family.

US Customs: What is your occupation?

Me: I'm a filmmaker and writer.

US Customs: You, what, make movies?

Me: Yes.

US Customs: You're not going to be working down there, are you?

Me: No, just on vacation.

US Customs: You're sure about that?

Me: About what?

US Customs: Working. You're not making a film down there.

Me: In Albuquerque? You're joking, right?

In view of the fact that Ms B (not quite 2 and in her jammies, this was a very early morning flight) chose that opportune moment to start fussing loudly, the jerk finally let me through. I will henceforth refer to myself as something much more mundane when passing through US customs.

From: Urban prairie. | Registered: Sep 2001 | IP: Logged

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