US and European authorities indeed prioritise respectful communication with senior citizens. This approach is rooted in the recognition of the rights and dignity of older adults. In the European Union, for instance, the Charter of Fundamental Rights ensures the rights of the elderly are respected, including their right to lead a life of dignity and independence.
The authorities in the US when interacting with senior citizens, tend to be more polite, acknowledging their concerns and validating their experiences. This doesn't necessarily mean they'll change their decisions, but rather that they'll communicate those decisions in a clear, respectful, and compassionate manner.
I recall a personal experience at Dallas International Airport in August 8, 2016. My daughter, her two children, and I were traveling to the US when we were briefly detained. What caught the attention of the authorities was my three-year-old grandson's long hair, as he hadn't undergone the traditional 'Mundan' or ಚೌಲ ceremony yet. His appearance sparked some confusion, and we were briefly held for questioning. Additionally, there were a couple of other misunderstandings that contributed to our brief detention for questioning.
Initially, at the visa counter, the officer mistakenly assumed my daughter and I were husband and wife. My daughter promptly clarified that I was her father and that her husband had arrived in the US a few weeks earlier. Although the officer acknowledged the correction, I sensed that his initial doubt lingered.
Another confusion arose when my younger grandson, in a playful and affectionate gesture, gave his brother's name instead of his own when asked by the officer. His innocent mistake was a reflection of the strong bond he shared with his brother, and his mischievous nature. Even to this day, his love and affection for his brother remain unwavering, a testament to the unbreakable bond between them.
The third misunderstanding occurred when the officer mistakenly assumed my younger grandson was a girl. Despite our explanations, he seemed unconvinced, likely due to my grandson's long hair at the time.
The fourth misunderstanding, as I surmised, was that the officer suspected we were attempting to bring someone else's child into the country, further complicating the situation.
After a 10-12 minute conversation, the officer directed us to a room inside. We complied, our anxiety growing as we waited for his superior to arrive and resolve the situation.
After a 30-minute wait, a superior officer arrived, adopting a gentle and courteous approach. It seemed he had only one concern - the child's gender - as the other misunderstandings had been clarified.
The superior officer's lingering doubt likely stemmed from the child's US passport photo, which was taken when he was just a month old. My daughter reassured him multiple times, 'This is he, not a she,' helping to finally clarify the child's identity.
The superior officer seemed to be struggling to reconcile the child's appearance with the passport photo, and was having difficulty confirming the child's gender identity.
Desperate to resolve the issue, I suggested, 'Would you like us to have the child's clothes removed to clarify any doubts about his gender?"
The superior officer's expression changed, and he apologised, saying, "I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention."
It was clear that my suggestion had helped alleviate his doubts, and he was now convinced of the child's identity.
With the matter finally resolved, the superior officer nodded and allowed us to proceed, bringing an end to the ordeal.
Fortunately, since we had nothing to hide and no intention of deceiving, we felt minimal psychological pressure. Our main concern was the delay, having spent around 100+ minutes resolving the issue at the immigration counter.
This anecdote shares our challenging experience at the immigration counter. A key takeaway for US tourists is the importance of transparency and honesty; concealing information or providing misleading answers can lead to serious consequences, including deportation.
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