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The Person Who Made This SEPTA Graphic Must Think We’re Idiots
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One of the guys dropped this in Slack. SEPTA put together a primer of sorts on how to talk to World Cup visitors from Ivory Coast and Ecuador:
This is stupidly patronizing, like we’re all idiots and don’t know how to start a conversation. SEPTA person must think we’ve never encountered a human being from Africa or South America before, even though we live in a diverse metropolitan area of more than six million people. We don’t need talking points.
SEPTA person: “Here’s how you do a “three-way” handshake! And make sure to address them as Senor or Senora! Let’s make sure we’re on our best behavior now, boys and girls!”
Or – you could just walk up to them and say hello.
Normal person: “Hello and welcome to Philadelphia! Where you from, brother? How are you enjoying the United States? Do you know where you’re going? Everything good?“
You know, basic human interaction. SEPTA person would have you think that people are visiting the Philadelphia region for the first time ever.
The other thing that’s a bit of an eye roller is that these folks are visiting us; we’re not visiting them. Is SEPTA person handing the Ivorians and Ecuadorians a notecard with things they’re supposed to do and say while spending time in the United States? Probably not. Because that would be patronizing.
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com