Re: rock heads and then some more...anti- Muslim America
I'm about to derail this thread, but in defence of Americans, I have to say that we tend to be much more tolerant and understanding of other's cultures and practices than some parts of the world.
When I lived in Pakistan, I was only allowed to wear salwar kameez, had to behave in "culturally acceptable" way, couldn't drive, couldn't go anywhere alone, couldn't cook my own foods, and had to alter my behavior in hundreds of other ways. If I dared to wear jeans around the house or make pizza, not only was I condemned by all the relatives for being "too modren", but the servants would stare at me like I had grown a tail.
The community here isn't much better. I as an American am expected to wear salwar kameez to all the desi parties, serve Pakistani food to guests in my home, and teach my children "Pakistani values". I always wondered what would happen if I told guests who came to my home "you look so much nicer in jeans - why does your husband let you wear that?" or started serving fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and corn with apple pie for dessert. I'm guessing I would be the subject of quite a bit more gossip and general rudeness.
If I am moving to another country, (and I have done this several times), I expect that I will make certain changes to adapt to the lifestyle in that country, not automatically head for the nearest American enclave and cut myself off from everyone else. If I was planning to do that, I may as well have stayed at home!