Felt confused about how people in Bilbao view Hijab
Dear redditors, I have been in Bilbao for 4 months by now and for the first time I experienced slightly 'racist' comment from an elderly man. He was next to me in the bus and we were talking in Spanish. Just asking name, and at first all was good. He complimented my spanish level. I asked whether he is basque and whether he knows basque language. He told me no. I shared with him my wish to learn basque language so that I can become a professor in University someday (Upna needs learning basque language too). He told me But I can't work in University this way with hijab 🥲 I was shocked. He repeated that comment thinking I didn't get it. But I told him it's oki. Luckily my bus stop has reached and I told him nice to meet you and bye. And got into my stop. He also get outside in my stop 😅 and I told him bye again and He was surprised that I am going to gym😂 oki. That was funny. Does people still think woman with hijab cannot work in University? Or is it just old people. Till today I thought spain is safe and secure for hijabi woman too. But today's experience made me confused about how society view woman with hijab. Just wanted to ask you guys to know about it.
edit: the word racism is not apt here . As suggested by one of comments, it can be 'opinionated comment'. anyways it hurted me because till then I have felt safe in spain being a hijabi woman. I came here for my PhD and I wanted to know whether I have to face these kind of 'opinionated comment' more often or not from people in Bilbao. As a sensitive person, I have to be really cautious and prepare my mind to face it, if it's often. otherwise, good. I can adapt. To all the users who commented, Thankyou. I know it's not actual data about people in Bilbao i can gather from these comments. but I got a little experience of how it can be when I get into public places. There are good and bad people in every country. I hope these kind of 'opinionated comment' happen very rarely and when it happens I hope I can adapt to it. Thankyou all. One small note to all commentors: be empathetic. Muchas gracias 🫂