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Minorities in Budapest??
Hi, Im thinking of visiting Budapest. Im mixed, but Im about Will Smith's complexion. I understand that minorities in Hungary are about as comon as Eskimo's in Florida, so Im wondering if I will be recieved well. Can anyone clue me in on what to expect from the locals? I was treated extremely well in Spain, so if Budapest is anything like that then I expect I should get along just perfectly.
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The Hungarians are not too crazy about gypsies, but is anyone in the Western world? My daughter and a Haitian female friend were there 8 years ago. They had some unpleasant experiences, but refused to talk about it. In their tri-city trip, they preferred Berlin, then came Prague and finally Budapest in terms of comfort. On the other hand, it could not have been that bad, since her present recollection is that she liked Budapest better than Prague.
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Who's Will Smith??
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Will Smith? Beverly Hills HillWilly :)
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Huh? means nothing to me
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I don't like to correct anyone, but it was actually rapper turned actor. tomboy,he starred in Fresh Prince of Bel Air on t.v. and such movies as, Independence Day, Men In Black, and more recently, IRobot.
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RST, thank you, at last a rapper with brain :)
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I think that with Hungary now being part of the European Union, they are receiving more and more foreigners and tourists each day, so I guess you should be ok (lots of things have changed in the last 8 years!). Anyway, if you don't feel really sure, maybe you should try to look as American as possible ;-) Hope you'll have a great trip!
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Well I am American, so I dont think I can not look American. And I've heard about problems with the gypsies (and people having trouble who look like gypsies), but I dont look like a gypsie. So I doubt there will be any problem in that respect. No one has any 1st hand experience in Budapest??
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xxatti.... Try the forum at the Budapest Sun on line. It's a web site for English speaking people living Hungary or people who migrated out of Hungary and yet remain in contact. I think you'll get an honest answer to your question there. Hope that helps. I'll be visiting Budapest/Balaton/Sopron/Eger for a couple of weeks next month and I really don't think you'll have any problems. I'd expect that you'd find things in Budapest like most other big cities of the world. Try this: http://pub20.bravenet.com/forum/1703145588 Hope this helps... SoCal
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In Communist days all Warsaw Pact countries welcomed African marxists with open arms.
OTOH: Today you see virtually no black people in Budapest. Will Smith fans: Rent "Six degrees of separation", a beautiful film |
Maybe Im a little slow... but what does OTOH stand for??
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OTOH = On The Other Hand
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FainaAgain, sorry I'm a little slow to respond - been busy.
>finally, a rapper with brain< - couldn't agree with you more. How about a Fodorites rap group then we could all get into movies! :) (or maybe at least travel documentaries) "I love Italy, it's way cool, I know my countries, I ain't no fool." |
RST, this would be great! Where, do you think, it will get us? Into a circle? Inner or outer? ;)
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I am Asian American and when I went to Budapest in 1991, I got a lot of looks, But it was more looks of curiosity because they don't see many Asians there.
My cousin said the same thing about when she went to Croatia. Curious stares. |
I can't answer your question. I've never been to Hungary, and anyway I'm Causasian (Mediterranean-looking). But, while I'm a little interested in going to Hungary some day, I've occasionally read reports of somewhat alarming incidents of intolerance there, so I thought you might possibly have some good reason to be concerned. I just did a very quick superficial search. Here's an article that refers to some problems, and makes me think it might be worth researching this further: http://www.tanok.bme.hu/surv/surv08.ssi
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Faina, if we use my lyrics, I would venture to say it will get us into an Outer Circle - a waaay "out there" circle! :)
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You might also want to ask the question here: http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graffiti15.html I'm not familiar with that forum, but it seems to be on point.
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I don't think you should let race stop you from visiting a country you really want to see.
If it's a matter of safety, maybe you could just join a tour, so you won't feel like you're totally on your own. Enjoy! |
You will have no problems in Hungary. Their are many people of color there! Go to the markets "Piac" there are many vendors from all parts of the world!! And yes they speak Hungarian. I wish I were in Hungary right now! Then I could get the name of the very beautiful black Hungarian young lady, who is the weather reporter. She has been doing weather report for a few years. I was shocked that she spoke beautiful Magyar when I first saw her. I said to my aunt and uncle, she looks black America, how can see speak such perfect Hungarian? They looked at me and said she is Hungarian, she was born here. One of her parents is black, and the other is Hungarian. I know she was pregnant when I was in Hungary May-July. I was wondering what she had. Anyone out there know who I'm talking about?
I plan on bringing one of my young grandsons there in the future. He is HungaJam. Jamaican and Hungarian. I have You will have no problems in Hungary. Their are many people of color there! Go to the markets "Piac" there are many vendors from all parts of the world!! And yes they speak Hungarian. I wish I were in Hungary right now! Then I could get the name of the very beautiful black Hungarian young lady, who is the weather reporter. She has been doing weather report for a few years. I was shocked that she spoke beautiful Magyar when I first saw her. I said to my aunt and uncle, she looks black America, how can see speak such perfect Hungarian? They looked at me and said she is Hungarian, she was born here. One of her parents is black, and the other is Hungarian. I know she was pregnant when I was in Hungary May-July. I was wondering what she had. Anyone out there know who I'm talking about? I plan on bringing one of my young grandsons there in the future. He is HungaJam. Jamaican and Hungarian. I have shown many family, friends, and people I met in Hungary pictures of my grandchildren, their Mom, my daughter, and their Dad my wonderful son in law. Everyone said they are beautiful. In fact my family and friends in Hungary are excited that I'm bringing my grandson there. Have a blast! You'll love Hungary. Learn a few important sentences first. Like, Thank you, pardon me, where is? please, I kiss your hand, this is to be said to older women, It's very respectful. You can borrow tapes from your local Library. Also please remember to offer your seat on any public transportation to the elderly, handicapped, or pregnant women. I have shown many family, friends, and people I met in Hungary pictures of my family, my grandchildren, their Mom, my daughter, and their Dad my wonderful son in law. Everyone said they are beautiful. In fact my family and friends in Hungary are excited that I will bring my grandson there. Have a blast! You'll love Hungary. Learn a few important sentences first. Like, Thank you, pardon me, where is? please, I kiss your hand, this is to be said to older women. it's very respectful. You can borrow tapes from the Library. Also please remember to offer your seat on public transportation to the elderly, handicapped, or pregnant women. just Go, and like I said, have a blast!!!! Alice The Magyar.... |
Alice.... Your computer is stuttering. I really wish you'd send along the "I kiss your hand" phrase in Hungarian. I can't seem to find it in the Books/language tapes that I have been studying.... Thanks...Socal
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Could it possibly be csókolom? I'm not telling you it is, but while you're waiting for someone to give you the answer, if this is a word you already knew and "csókolom" sounds right, maybe this is it. But I don't know Hungarian. There's a folk music group by that name, and I thought the name meant "may I kiss your name." I also think the actual word for "kiss" in Hungarian might start with csók__ (actually we can look that up).
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Kiss=csók I just looked it up.
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Correction: Where I said "may I kiss your name," I meant "may I kiss your hand." (No idea why I typed "name.")
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CMT... We're getting close. Now all we need is the hungarian words for "hand" and "may I" I can't believe some one with a phrase book hasn't chimed in yet. Kosonom szepen
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So what does "csókolom" mean?
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Found the answer to my question on this page, and it seems to confirm what I said above (even though I didn't know what I was talking about): http://rudhar.com/musica/csokolom.htm.en#MayIKiss
<<About the group's name Csókolom: It is a general Hungarian greeting, mostly used by men to address women, and by younger persons of both sexes to address older persons and express respect. From a grammatical point of view, it is the first person singular definite form of the verb "csókol" (to kiss) which in turn comes from the noun "csók" (kiss). ("Csók" sounds roughly like "choke" in American or Scottish English). Csókolom could be interpreted as a shorter version of "(Én) csókolom õt" (I kiss it) or "Kezét csókolom" (I kiss your hand). Clearly, the title of Csókolom's first full CD, "May I kiss your hand" is in fact a free translation of the group's name>> |
We lived in Budapest from 1997-2000 and jsut returned for a visit. The city has changed tremendously and for the better. It is a very cosmopolitan city with people of all colors. Go! Enjoy!
Now, if you want to experience a culture where your color will make a difference (though not hostile) come to Slovenia. You will get lots of looks. Cheers, Jan |
Hey, I've heard of that weather reporter. I've been doing my research, lol. I never expected this many replies on this post. But anyways, I'm sure I'll have no problems in Hungary. I even managed to contact a few native Hungarians by email and I've heard nothing but positive things.
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xxatti.... Have a really great vacation in BP. We leave in 3 more days and can't wait to try out the places and things to do that I've picked up on this web site and others. I'll try to post some of my recomendations/recollections when I get back.... Visonlatasra
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I'm African-American and had no problems. Budapest is an urban city with a healthy urban mix. However, once I started my cycling tour in northern Hungary...
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And as an aside, with the exception of St. Petersburg in Russia, it's hard to duplicate the superstar treatment of Barcelona.
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Back from Budapest in June...found it a very cosmpolitan city. Mostly beware of pickpockets on subways. Otherwise, just enjoy life as in any other4 city.
ozarksbill |
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