Diversity in Maine (Portland, Lewiston, Auburn: high school, camping, living in)

[indyan]

I'm considering a position in Augusta, ME and was wondering how Maine (Augusta, specifically) treats folks from a different part of the world (i'm originally from the Indian sub-continent).

I've lived in various cities around the US, and have had various experiences ranging from being gawked at in some towns in Louisiana, to not even being noticed (racially) in California.

Since I'm an outdoors sort of guy, I'm really looking forward to working in Maine, but was a little concerned as to the sort of a reception a person with my background might receive - I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter ...

[AliceT]

If you don't do anything to call attention to yourself, nobody will notice.

If someone says, "You're not from around here, are yea?" don't take it personally. They say that to everyone they didn't see in any of their high school classes. The older ones are getting fuzzy memories and say that more than once to the same person. As in all things, just smile and say, "no."

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Augusta is more diverse than most other towns in Maine. In my opinion Portland is the most diverse. There are 55 languages spoken by Portland students. Lewiston/Auburn is next and Augusta follows closely. The only south Asian restaurant I know of in Maine is in Portland.

[Maineah]

We have a reputation of being kind of intolerant around here. I don't know where that reputation comes from but I never agreed with that assessment. People in Maine are very much live and let live in their attitude toward others. If you try to force an attitude on others and demand to be accepted that's when you will have a problem. If you keep to yourself, help others when you can,accept and embrace the pace of life, and leave your preconceptions behind you you'll find Maine to be a pleasant place to live. You'll never be a native Mainer and that's OK but you will be accepted!

[moughie]

Indyan, my husband and I lived in Maine from 1987 - 1995. He is originally from Beirut, Lebanon. I am a WASP .
We thoroughly enjoyed our time there. My husband enjoys hunting, fishing and camping so he had no problems at all making friends. Many people thought he was of French Canadian origin. If we ever craved or needed a specialty ethnic food item, we just drove down to the Boston area. We volunteered alot with the Refugee Resettlement Program in Portland and met many wonderful people from all walks of life and many different countries.

You know people are quite alike all over the world with similar wants, needs and desires for establishing contact and making friends. Most of our closest and dearest friends are those we made while living in Maine! If you are an outgoing and outdoor loving type, you should be fine! Sounds like you are quite adaptable also, having lived in so many places.
Give it a try and enjoy Maine. Stay as long or little as you want- you will never be the same after your time there
Best of luck!

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by AliceT

If you don't do anything to call attention to yourself, nobody will notice.

If someone says, "You're not from around here, are yea?" don't take it personally. They say that to everyone they didn't see in any of their high school classes. The older ones are getting fuzzy memories and say that more than once to the same person. As in all things, just smile and say, "no."

good point alice,,,,
and good advice,,,just smile and nod....

for some strange reason,,married men seem to have that smile and nod,(with a blank look on thier face) perfected

[BacktoNE]

I lived most of my life just north of Augusta, in a town with a few families from India. Other than being a teensy bit jealous of how gorgeous the girls were, I don't think anyone gave it a second thought.

As with any location, unfortunately there will always be rude & ignorant people but happily in Maine, they are the exception to the rest of us. As long as you don't start a crusade to change Maine into wherever you are moving from, you will be absolutely fine.

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

for some strange reason,,married men seem to have that smile and nod,(with a blank look on thier face) perfected

Only the SMART ones! LOL

[CapeCodder]

Originally Posted by Maineah

We have a reputation of being kind of intolerant around here. I don't know where that reputation comes from but I never agreed with that assessment. People in Maine are very much live and let live in their attitude toward others. If you try to force an attitude on others and demand to be accepted that's when you will have a problem. If you keep to yourself, help others when you can,accept and embrace the pace of life, and leave your preconceptions behind you you'll find Maine to be a pleasant place to live. You'll never be a native Mainer and that's OK but you will be accepted!

Well put...that's exactly what we're experiencing right now.

[indyan]

Thank you all for your input ....