Do Asian people tend to dislike dogs?
Discussion
All our recent delivery men who have been of an Asian extraction, by which I mean Middle East rather than Far East, have been unhappy with my dog approaching them, and have asked for me to take her away (and that's fair enough, happy to comply).
However, everyone else, black or white, is very happy to say hello to the cute cocker spaniel, or they're doing a very good job of pretending.
Is this an Asian 'thing', or is it just a coincidence?
(Apologies if I've said anything inadvertently offensive, certainly not my intent, just had a mattress delivered and it made me wonder
)
However, everyone else, black or white, is very happy to say hello to the cute cocker spaniel, or they're doing a very good job of pretending.
Is this an Asian 'thing', or is it just a coincidence?
(Apologies if I've said anything inadvertently offensive, certainly not my intent, just had a mattress delivered and it made me wonder
)beagrizzly said:
All our recent delivery men who have been of an Asian extraction, by which I mean Middle East rather than Far East, have been unhappy with my dog approaching them, and have asked for me to take her away (and that's fair enough, happy to comply).
However, everyone else, black or white, is very happy to say hello to the cute cocker spaniel, or they're doing a very good job of pretending.
Is this an Asian 'thing', or is it just a coincidence?
(Apologies if I've said anything inadvertently offensive, certainly not my intent, just had a mattress delivered and it made me wonder )
Could this be more about early life circumstances? My wife is afraid of dogs. She is African, and village dogs were dangerous to everyone except their owners, being guard dogs, plus there was a feral population, and rabies was endemic. Such dogs were best avoided!However, everyone else, black or white, is very happy to say hello to the cute cocker spaniel, or they're doing a very good job of pretending.
Is this an Asian 'thing', or is it just a coincidence?
(Apologies if I've said anything inadvertently offensive, certainly not my intent, just had a mattress delivered and it made me wonder
)Perhaps similar?
mac96 said:
beagrizzly said:
All our recent delivery men who have been of an Asian extraction, by which I mean Middle East rather than Far East, have been unhappy with my dog approaching them, and have asked for me to take her away (and that's fair enough, happy to comply).
However, everyone else, black or white, is very happy to say hello to the cute cocker spaniel, or they're doing a very good job of pretending.
Is this an Asian 'thing', or is it just a coincidence?
(Apologies if I've said anything inadvertently offensive, certainly not my intent, just had a mattress delivered and it made me wonder )
Could this be more about early life circumstances? My wife is afraid of dogs. She is African, and village dogs were dangerous to everyone except their owners, being guard dogs, plus there was a feral population, and rabies was endemic. Such dogs were best avoided!However, everyone else, black or white, is very happy to say hello to the cute cocker spaniel, or they're doing a very good job of pretending.
Is this an Asian 'thing', or is it just a coincidence?
(Apologies if I've said anything inadvertently offensive, certainly not my intent, just had a mattress delivered and it made me wonder
)Perhaps similar?
Can't speak for Asian / Middle Eastern cultures but I suspect our status as dog lovers (generally speaking) is quite unique culturally.
My wife is only from as far away as SE Europe and the concept of a dog living inside the family home is completely foreign - they would keep them outside in a kennel.
There's obviously other cultures where they prefer their dogs in a soup bowl.
My wife is only from as far away as SE Europe and the concept of a dog living inside the family home is completely foreign - they would keep them outside in a kennel.
There's obviously other cultures where they prefer their dogs in a soup bowl.
Edited by theboss on Monday 8th July 11:33
I must admit when out walking mine, they are all small and take very little interest in people, unless the person interacts with them first, it is Asians, particularly their young children, who tend to make an obvious effort to avoid them as opposed to just wandering by, ironic thing is if you make an obvious effort to keep away, a dog is more likely to want to investigate!
Aren't dogs seen as impure and dirty amongst the Muslim faith and you are only to have one if it is a working dog such as herder or guard dog?
Aren't dogs seen as impure and dirty amongst the Muslim faith and you are only to have one if it is a working dog such as herder or guard dog?
I believe that some cultures have a fear of dogs and/or consider them to be filthy.
It's definitely noticeable on a walk that some people are clearly terrified of what most people would consider a cute & friendly small dog. I often notice people crossing the road / staying out of the way if they can - and ours is about as cute as you can get - A Jack Russell / Chihuaha with a wonky ear.
I am always very aware that it is our job to make sure that our dog doesn't approach anyone until they've confirmed that they are happy for it to do so as it must be pretty scary (whether rational or not) if you don't like dogs.
It's definitely noticeable on a walk that some people are clearly terrified of what most people would consider a cute & friendly small dog. I often notice people crossing the road / staying out of the way if they can - and ours is about as cute as you can get - A Jack Russell / Chihuaha with a wonky ear.
I am always very aware that it is our job to make sure that our dog doesn't approach anyone until they've confirmed that they are happy for it to do so as it must be pretty scary (whether rational or not) if you don't like dogs.
Probably a historical religion based thing.
Traditional Muslim teachings state that dogs are impure. This can lead to a generational teaching of "dogs are bad" scenario, even if they're not devout or practising.
If they've never been around dogs and always been told by parents and grandparents that dogs are bad/dangerous then it will take a lot to undo that.
Traditional Muslim teachings state that dogs are impure. This can lead to a generational teaching of "dogs are bad" scenario, even if they're not devout or practising.
If they've never been around dogs and always been told by parents and grandparents that dogs are bad/dangerous then it will take a lot to undo that.
HTP99 said:
I must admit when out walking mine, they are all small and take very little interest in people, unless the person interacts with them first, it is Asians, particularly their young children, who tend to make an obvious effort to avoid them as opposed to just wandering by, ironic thing is if you make an obvious effort to keep away, a dog is more likely to want to investigate!
Aren't dogs seen as impure and dirty amongst the Muslim faith and you are only to have one if it is a working dog such as herder or guard dog?
Certainly having dogs is a bit controversial and a lot of UK Muslims will not have grown up having anything to do with them. I don't think the fear is down to religious aversions so much as lack of familiarity with them, but the lack of familiarity is down to religious/cultural aversions. Aren't dogs seen as impure and dirty amongst the Muslim faith and you are only to have one if it is a working dog such as herder or guard dog?
Ambleton said:
Probably a historical religion based thing.
Traditional Muslim teachings state that dogs are impure. This can lead to a generational teaching of "dogs are bad" scenario, even if they're not devout or practising.
If they've never been around dogs and always been told by parents and grandparents that dogs are bad/dangerous then it will take a lot to undo that.
I must have missed that class Traditional Muslim teachings state that dogs are impure. This can lead to a generational teaching of "dogs are bad" scenario, even if they're not devout or practising.
If they've never been around dogs and always been told by parents and grandparents that dogs are bad/dangerous then it will take a lot to undo that.
We weren't taught that dogs are "impure" but, thinking about some of the stuff they do, they're not exactly hygienic are they?
In terms of it being a religious thing - it's not true. My granddad kept a couple as guard dogs, my uncle used to keep salukis/whippets/greyhounds for hare coursing (back when that was legal) and his sons also keep dogs (but they're kept outside).
DoubleSix said:
People shouldn’t really have to ask for your dog to be recalled.
You should be asking if they mind the dog approaching in the first place.
Appreciate it may well be the threshold to your property, but if dog owners could grasp this more generally the world would be better for it.
It's not quite a simple as that. I'll always check if I get the chance, but bearing in mind I know full well that my dog would harm nobody, she has the run of the place and anybody needing to get to the front or back door will often meet the dog before they meet me.You should be asking if they mind the dog approaching in the first place.
Appreciate it may well be the threshold to your property, but if dog owners could grasp this more generally the world would be better for it.
bigpriest said:
If I came into contact with dog saliva I'd need to go and find somewhere to wash, clean and dry my hands. If I was a delivery person I'd avoid contact with dogs for this reason as it would waste precious delivery time. Probably the same rationale for those who follow doctrines.
Weird post. I can only speak about one dog, but all she does is wag her tail a lot and get under their feet until they either give her some fuss, or until she gets bored when they don't engage, or I call her in. Not sure how her saliva would end up on any delivery person, unless they actively sought it. Which would also be weird.[quote=DoubleSix]
You should be asking if they mind the dog approaching in the first place.
/quote]
As an aside: My job entails me visiting peoples houses and I have found that if the dog owner asks you 'if you are OK with dogs' , what they actually mean is ' my dog is basically out of my control and will jump up, bark etc so are you OK with that ?'
Owners who have dog's that are chilled, or otherwise have their dog properly under control - which is a rarity I must admit - don't ask.
You should be asking if they mind the dog approaching in the first place.
/quote]
As an aside: My job entails me visiting peoples houses and I have found that if the dog owner asks you 'if you are OK with dogs' , what they actually mean is ' my dog is basically out of my control and will jump up, bark etc so are you OK with that ?'
Owners who have dog's that are chilled, or otherwise have their dog properly under control - which is a rarity I must admit - don't ask.
theboss said:
Can't speak for Asian / Middle Eastern cultures but I suspect our status as dog lovers (generally speaking) is quite unique culturally.
My wife is only from as far away as SE Europe and the concept of a dog living inside the family home is completely foreign - they would keep them outside in a kennel.
There's obviously other cultures where they prefer their dogs in a soup bowl.
The Spanish side of my wife's family love dogs, but the dogs aren't generally allowed in the house either.My wife is only from as far away as SE Europe and the concept of a dog living inside the family home is completely foreign - they would keep them outside in a kennel.
There's obviously other cultures where they prefer their dogs in a soup bowl.
Edited by theboss on Monday 8th July 11:33
Back in the UK, I can see where the OP is coming from, we've been to Crufts a few times, a lot of the staff (security, cleaners, marshalls, etc) are Black or Asian and it's noticeable how uneasy many of them are around dogs. Just a casual observation.
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