Apologies, this has been published before, but I have not had time to complete the next in the series. Supper with Sikhs or Barbies with Buddhists possibly?
Well I took a chance today and despite all the anti-Islam hysteria I thought Iād risk having lunch with a very old friend, who just happens to be Muslim. Forewarned and forearmed and remembering all the warnings to be vigilant, I took a deep breath and stepped hesitantly into the dining area of the Whatsit Arms in Thingy.
I was obviously aware of the dangers but somewhat reckless after the hazards of the High Street. Goodness, having lunch with a Muslim seemed positively tame after the dreadfulness of last minute Christmas Present Acquisition.
She proffered a glass of some innocuous looking liquid which I regarded with a certain amount of suspicion, one cannot be too careful; this is WAR after all.
The rest of the meal progressed very cordially and I have to say that my suspicions were lulled.Ā The pudding menu arrived, and she recommended the Bombe; excuse me I said immediately on my guard, er, are you having one?
Boadicea's Chariot 
Arrers, I’d like to see your friend’s jocular account of her lunch with you – for purposes of inter-cultural study of course.
Hee hee, Janus: good idea, although it might be a case of over-egging it somewhat. š
My inter-cultural study has ground to a halt; I don’t know any Sikhs or Buddhists. Well, I say that but I don’t make a point of asking my friends or acquaintances about their religious beliefs before accepting or proffering invitations of a social nature, so I may unwittingly know several!
In my experience people who take religion seriously can’t resist letting on to others, so I doubt whether you do know several unwittingly. I’ve had some good lunches though with quakers, mormons, buddhists, hindus, healers, jews, muslims and baptists – to name but a few! 8)
Actually thinking about it, I do have a quaker friend. When I set out to find immigrants in Henley, I did try an Indian Restaurant, but couldn’t quite work out how to ask the waiter with which particular religious group he was affiliated. The food was good though! š
I remember reading this on MyT Araminta, and I thought I had reread it yesterday on your page. Am I hallucinating?
I used to lunch frequently with a Sikh and a Muslim (at the same table at the same time – extra points? also with us at the table a lay preacher in the Church of England) and I know several Jews, Buddhists, Catholics and one of my aunts is a Baptist. I have a good friend who is a Quaker, I’ve eaten with all of them at one time or another. Do I win a prize?
No, you are not hallucinating Isobel: I did apologise for the repetition, but I doubt that many others would have read it on my page.
Extra points for the two in one one go, but I’ll have to check back to see if Janus has beaten you! š
Not two, three plus in one go Araminta. And do we we extra points for nationalities?
Aha, Isobel, yes extra points so I think you have clearly won this one! I come absolutely nowhere, must expand my social circle. The trouble is, I keep remembering some more. I clearly do not choose my friends with enough discrimination, but I consider that a good thing. š
Nice post. š I remember it too from ‘the other place’, where it probably started a war.
I once worked on a building site where almost everyone was a Sikh … my very first day’s work in London, when I was an 18-year-old student. But I used to go to a Corkman’s house for my lunch, so that’s not very cosmopolitan. š
No, Brendano, you have to do better; but it is probably a tad difficult in your present location š
The war actually started here:
http://my.telegraph.co.uk/araminta/blog/2008/12/01/muslims_are_people_too
Hey Ara; greatpost. YOu made me laugh with this one…
Ta, Claire: you might like to check out the link above; it may explain a lot! š
Ara; will do..although I may have to fly, in view of MyT curfew procedures and regulations relating to the general deportment of Scarlet Women online…;)
No rush, Claire! Not to mention the marking. š
Oh yah Ara! Marking. Bad Teacher, c’est moi.. I don’t know where a certain person gets the time to play detective by trawling through old posts with my comments on here.
Anyway, navel gazing, as Christina said.;)
Yes, slightly odd hobby, methinks, but hey, if one has nothing better to do, but frankly, can’t be bothered with such nonsense, Claire.
I know, Ara…out of all the possible highlights, I’m sticking with the scarlet theme. Highly ridiculous. š
Do have a look at my link, Claire, time permitting. It may help you understand where we are now, or rather where I am, and those who share my views.
Don’t worry,
Best regards,
Ara (Muslim lesbian psychologist who doesn’t live in Henley on Thames)
PS: you couldn’t make it up, but they do! š
Ara; hee hee! You naughty Muslim Lesbian whatever…
From the Scarlet Woman, the BAd MOther, the Possible Muslim. God, like I said, it makes me positively yearn for the days of being Hemmet’s Tart š