The Token

For most of my life, I have been in the majority. Not really by choice, more by circumstance than anything else. It’s an easy life being like everyone else. It’s effortless to fit in, but at the same time, this constant blending can get boring. So, when we made the decision to move three months ago, I realized, of course, I was going to be different. I wondered how I was going to make the transition.

Turns out, it’s a lot of fun to be the one who’s not like everyone else.

Here in Dubai, I’m getting my first taste of being the Token. From my experience so far, there just aren’t a lot of Americans running around in this particular Emirate. And you know what? That’s just fine by me. It means that every party, every gathering, every time I order in a restaurant, every taxi ride, every time I answer my cell phone, my accent, my being from the States, my very nationality marks me as unique – and usually inspires further dialogue and conversation.

You’ll have to understand that when you’re one of the over 10 million who call themselves an Angeleno or in a country populated by more than 30 million others, there’s not as much to distinguish yourself from the next person. For the most part, with the exception of regional accents, you are going to sound just like next person you meet, work with, or watch on screen. Here, however, more often than not, the person that sounds like me is actually Canadian and once again, I get to continue my status as Token.

Now, naturally, when you meet someone for the first time in Dubai, regardless of where they are from, there is a standard Q&A to get through: where do you live? How long have you been here? What brought you here? But in many (in fact, most) cases, a bond of nationality (I’m talking about you citizens of the United Kingdom, South Africa, Philippines, and Australia) is quite easily found. A camaraderie is struck over sports, school, food or politics. For my husband and I, that spark is not so easily found. Oh, don’t worry about us – we’re having a lot of fun learning all about what we’ve been missing by living in the States. Half the reason why we moved is because this world is a big place, and we’ve only lived in one particular part of it.

Maybe in the future I will miss interacting with my countrymen and women, but for now, there’s a lot of enjoyment in educating others about my nation. No, I didn’t vote for George Bush, yes, I’m embarrassed he’s the face and attitude so many people think of when they picture my United States.

So, even though I might adapt my speech patterns regularly, am slowly learning the subtle nuances between Rugby league and Rugby Union, have changed from miles to kilometers, Fahrenheit to Celsius, and “ize” to “ise.” I’m proud of my Token status, and will be more than happy to be “that Yank.”