Live and let live, is it too much to ask for?

I don't know if I am mad, angry, sad, shocked, surprised or just numb about some things that happen in this society we live in.

This is going to be a really random one but kinda just wanted to let it out.

In Ireland, when someone says something stereotypical thing about me being Indian, sometimes I correct them because I think it's alright, I mean how would they possibly know, sometimes I laugh along and don't take it too seriously, sometimes I feel people are just ignorant about things and it's not my problem and sometimes I just totally ignore it. Yes, we do love our curry but that's not all what we eat, okay?
Alsoooo, 'Kartik, how do you speak English so well?' By this point, I'm just not sure if I should take this as a compliment or feel annoyed that people think Indians don't know how to converse in English. We do have a mother tongue influence, there's no denying that!!!!

I once overheard some people at work talking about something, being racist (not towards me) in general, usually, I mind my own business but I just felt like a need to call them out and instead of learning something from it, the conversation ended at 'Let's not talk in front of Kartik, he thinks we are racist' sorry Karen, you're racist and it's not something I just think. Also, last month at work, two customers were talking about coronavirus in front of me and how they're avoiding to eat Chinese food now, and then one woman looks at me and goes, oh well he's from Asia as well, (nervous) laughs and just walks away, I was more confused than offended.

There have been situations when I see people, even friends, casually being sexist or bad-mouthing some girl just for how she is dressed or some random stupid reason and when I actually decide to call them out they'd say, "Dude, why are you getting all serious, we are just joking" I don't know if it's funny or just stupid because they don't even think they are doing anything wrong. And not just guys, women disrespecting women is not unusual either.

And what's up with Men still thinking that they rule the world? Some female friends of mine tell me how it's still difficult in a workspace if they have male heads as they just don't give a fuck about their opinions and they have to prove themselves at every level to gain their respect (and for what?!). I'm yet to experience the whole corporate world thing so I don't know how it really is but form what I have heard, it's not great.

And why do people still can't accept that love is love and it's beyond labels? Just the idea of people fighting for something as beautiful as Love, it's just beyond me. It's love, just let people experience it in whatever way they want. Our generation is getting better, sure, but there are so many people still out there who still think it's not 'natural'  being in a non-heteronormative relationship and it makes them sick to see two guys/girls holding hands in the public but it's fine when they themselves have their tongue deep inside in their partner's mouth out there in the public because it's "normal". #RelationshipGoals #PDA

Some people fight back and are always so vocal about their opinions and at times don't end up in the best of conditions but I think they just don't care about the consequences and believe in standing for what's right, some just ignore it completely and live a life without taking a stand about anything, and then there is this category of people who do take a stand but only at a certain level. I get it, not everybody is expressive, not everyone can stand for every issue out there in society and maybe sometimes just letting things be is for the better good.
I don't know what I am actually trying to achieve with all this, I guess I am just confused and curious as to how other people react when they encounter such experiences. I don't know what to do when my own friends/family show traits of being ignorant like one can only try their best and explain to them but what after that? If they still behave the way they used to, making casual offensive statements and laughing it off in a way that it's totally normal because they are educated idiots. I am by no means saying that I am perfect and am pretty sure I must have said something stupid and offensive knowingly/unknowingly at some point in my life but I am here to learn and grow but what about the people who just can't see it through? It irritates me but at some level, I think I have accepted that things are just the way they are and no matter how you try you can't change some people's mentality. But then what and who would?

Do you still stay in relation to these people? because this is not a situation where you love watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and your friend loves how I met your mother instead. It's not about your sibling liking fried eggs and you preferring scrambled. I believe, these things represent how you are as a person, it's okay (and important) to have people around you who have a different point of view toward things and to have a conversation about it but what about those people who still like to remain sexist, misogynist, racist, homophobic, xenophobic and what not!!!!

And I can't help but think, "Live and let live, is it too much to ask for?"

Ok, Bye.

P.S. I know I haven't been really active here but thank you for still clicking on this link and giving it a read, feel free to share your own opinions down in the comments.

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