When I anticipated going to Russia, I worried that people there would discriminate against me because my skin is brown. My fears were unfounded. And now I'm worried about flying cross-country, in my own country, because I'm Indian, and I know it's reasonable!

And if Jon Carroll isn't wearing his flowing ethnic garb, I sure as heck ain't wearing mine.

My mom, to her credit, didn't give her advice until I told her I was worried. She said, "Don't volunteer anything. Answer them if they ask questions, but don't say anything extra. Just be quiet. [pause] And tell them you are a Hindu."

I only wish I could finally take advantage of my religion's history of Muslim-bashing to secure my personal safety! But, as my colleague put it, the typical security guard would respond, "Hindu? Where's that?"

Update: My mother also advises me not to let them see I'm scared. All I can hope is to seem just as nervous as everyone else.