explained to a straight US citizen that his straight (turkish) coworkers are also capable of telling that his gay (turkish) coworker is gay . man thought they couldnt tell due to being turkish and not as culturally literate as him, a westerner, when it comes to markers of queerness, and that he was like in on a secret that turks weren't aware of, due to being an enlightened westerner. like bro if you can tell from someones voice and mannerisms as you describe this rather effeminate man, they can also tell. come on.
another side of these interactions is that when they see a cosmopolitan cultured person whos familiar with the specifics of their culture and can speak their language with native proficiency and affect who's also got the ability to put them in their place in an entertaining and snarky manner, it's like a talking monkey, drag queen dragoman situation and they enjoy getting verbally needled and slapped in the face like i can say whatever snarky comment with a smile and raised eyebrows and they're slapping their knees laughing lol the layers to it
