I happen to be a female Moslem, from an Arab country called Lebanon. I could have been a male, an East Asian, an African, a European... (endless possibilities). Anyway, I am distinct from other people seen daily because I wear a scarf on my head. Is this something important to know about me?

For a long time, I thought that the answer was "not really." People here will consider me for what I am, a student, regardless of my race, origin, or practices. After all, America is a free country where everybody can live happily.

Moreover, people who are interested in knowing more about where I come from or why I dress differently could ask. I don't think of myself as a scary person. I hope other people don't. In a way, there was no doubt in my mind that people I am in contact with the most will eventually ask and they did.

For a while, everything went well, or so I thought. Nobody asked me anything and I thought to myself that that was a good sign. With Islam as the second largest religion in the world, people must have had opportunities to study about this religion, hear about it in the media or know someone from the same area or from the same religion.

In Lebanon, even during the war, newspapers thoroughly analyzed various events in the world and offered different points of view.

Moreover, when interested in knowing more about the cultures of Indian, Asian or European students I met, I used to ask them.

Today, I feel this knowledge enriched my life and made me a more open person. Furthermore, I don't think of myself as more "at home" than Americans themselves. So, if people have questions, they should feel free to ask.

However, after a while, this same silence started to bother me. Somehow, the way I looked and talked was a puzzlement. It defined who I am, how I was treated and how much people wanted to associate with me. Fine, that does not disturb me. Coming from a war-torn country, that is what I'm used to.

Whenever I eventually explained my culture, people were more at ease and we would end up, comparing and contrasting our food, beliefs, cultures and religions. When I asked other international students from other backgrounds, they told me they felt the same thing happening to them. They were rarely asked to share information about their cultures. I am thankful that a professor suggested that when I introduce myself, I need to present not only my educational background, but also my culture and my religion and how they influence me. My first question was whether he thought people were interested in knowing that. He insisted that the answer is yes, but that they wouldn't ask.

Why don't people ask? When I asked a friend, she said it is impolite to ask. People are taught not to ask, to stare or to point because it may offend the different person. Well, if asked an offensive question, I am at a point in my life where I could say so.

I was also told people don't want to show their ignorance. They would feel more comfortable assuming certain things and living by them rather than asking. That surprises me. I am the foreigner and not them. What could happen if they show their ignorance? I show my ignorance on a daily basis. It is part of life. Also, why are other foreigners more ready to show their ignorance than Americans when asking me questions?

When I see someone who has broken her leg, I would inquire about what happened.

If I see someone dressing nicely, I would comment. Many people where I come from would do the same. Why don't people do the same here? If it is something that people would like to know about, why wouldn't they ask? If it is creating a barrier between us, why wouldn't they give me a chance to explain? In fact, the first time I was asked, I felt incapable of coming up with a quick answer. To be asked made me a service because it forced me to re-think practices I perform automatically. Finally, I made it a point to ask people why they think I wear a scarf. Answers varied and included statements such as, "It is because of tradition, culture, religion, I am from India, I am a different kind of nun, I am submissive to men, I have no hair, my hair is not pretty."

By all means, I'd rather take a minute to explain. People don't have to agree but at least it would be better than building assumptions based on stereotypes.

I happen to be a female Moslem, from an Arab country called Lebanon. Is this something important to know about me?

After four years of experience as a student in the United States, my answer is definitely YES.