Travelling to America

I've had similar experiences at US airports on numerous occasions. I can still picture the anxious face of an elderly Arab gentleman in Houston who missed his flight because he had been escorted to a "glass booth" (awaiting further INS prying). Personally, I've learned that empathy works really well with American immigration officers. I remember one time I was led to the back office for further "processing". I noticed the engagement ring on one of the officers and started a conversation with her about her wedding plans. She let me go surprisingly fast. Another time, I told an official dejectedly, as I handed him my papers, "I think... I just missed my flight" (because I had been kept in aforementioned "glass booth" for a while). He told me "I'll make sure you don't miss your flight," and he did. Another time, an officer let me go behind his desk and look at all the photos and fingerprints of me that the INS computer database had.

US immigration officers are usually underpaid and often come from marginalised American minorities, and a little empathy works wonders on them. In my opinion, America is like an ocean wave -- it is best to learn to ride the wave than to be swept away by its destructive power. In conclusion, I'd like to mention that I loved Mr. Majumdar in "Meraj Fakirer Ma" and hope to catch another one of his plays soon.