I am a Sikh and I am not a terrorist! (Rio Hotel and Casino You Suck)
“My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist” – these were the words that continuously came out of Shahrukh Khan’s mouth in the critically acclaimed file “My name is Khan”. he plays the role of an autistic Muslim who gets lumped in with all the other terrorists because his name happened to be “Khan”. Sikhs too have had the misfortune of being placed in the same category as all the “terrorists” because of the ignorance of a few and the herd mentality of others.
Having been in the states for over 35 years – for the most part I have been sheltered and removed from the hatred and racism and racial profiling but every now and then – something little happens that goes to show you that we honestly have not learned or progressed as we would be led to believe. You might be asking what brings this on? What does this have to do with Internet/Affiliate Marketing?
Well it was at one of these conferences that set the wheels in motion which inevitably came to rear it’s ugly head today. At precisely 5:16 P.M. this fine Tuesday evening that I get a call from the 702 area code which you all know as Las Vegas. The call was from a detective who was conducting research on behalf of the amazingly, awesome, wonderfully accommodating, Rio Casino (I am certain you can sense my sarcasm in this).
It so happens that their security cameras caught a turbaned individual (me), “pacing” the casino floor and stopping to enter data into a “hand-held device”. Hmm – let me think for a moment – I am at a marketing conference where every single individual has an iPhone, Blackberry, Palm and I happened to be pacing, mapping and entering data – go figure. This is worst than the random check at the airport.
To the detectives credit – he was very pleasant to talk to and knew very well who the “Sikhs” were and what they stood for and he was just doing his job. However, the Rio Casino – I am sorry but you Suck! You have lost a paying customer who is in Vegas at the very least 2-3 times a year and for them to single out a turbaned individual like this – well it is flat out ridiculous. Unfortunately for you Rio – this is not one story that will stay in Vegas!
I call on my fellow marketers to tweet, retweet and retweet once more for good measure so they can at least start to understand and perhaps educate themselves on who we are and not make assumptions based on a person wearing a turban and carrying a Blackberry.
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23 Responses to “I am a Sikh and I am not a terrorist! (Rio Hotel and Casino You Suck)”
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Perhaps they also saw you terrorize and demolish a steak. In all seriousness, that is ridiculous. Great detective work as they reach out to you about a month after the fact. You could have terrorized and demolished more steaks since then. Perhaps the Rio isn’t the best venue for the Aff Summit or any other online marketing show/exhibit that is to be based in Vegas. As we all know the Online Marketing Industry has a very diverse demographic worldwide and thus brings together many different people at these shows. There are many other casino’s in Vegas which I am sure in their down economy would be more than happy and accommodating to host a few thousand spenders, and in quite a few cases big spenders.
In Vegas the house usually wins. Calling a law abiding citizen a month after the fact because he has a handheld device, and a type of headgear doesn’t seem to serve public safety, or be a recipe for success. If similar situations like this occur in Vegas no matter the industry, the house will lose and lot more than a few bets. It might not mean much, but when I next go to Vegas, I will go out of my way to not stay at the Rio.
Chris
Thanks for the great post Chris – it is truly amazing in this day and age that we must put up with this BS. Thanks and spread the word.
Will do. Perhaps if they were so concerned with people using handheld’s security should have said something to you at that point and time. I guess it is our tax dollars at work……Blame it on Rio…
Perhaps if people weren’t so ignorant in the ways of religion this wouldn’t have happened- in an ideal world people would research something they do not understand, not let the media be their only source of knowledge. However, since you were pulled out of a crowd of thousands solely because of a Turban take it as a metaphoric sign that there is someone watching from above and now is your chance to shed some light on the issue.
Rick, Geez I think my concern would also be, how did they get your phone number? You mean it took them all of this time to look at their security tapes and maybe follow you back to your room to get your phone information so they could call you? That is really creepy. What did they say “Are you a terrorist?” LOL!!! What a bunch of idiots!!! I will definately stay out of the RIO.
Becca
Sorry to hear about that experience – I am not sure how they came up with your contact info, but I can assure you it wasn’t via Affiliate Summit.
By the way, Affiliate Summit will be at the Wynn next January.
Thanks for the comment Becca.
Shawn, glad to hear about the Wynn (I did not mean to imply it was Affiliate Summit at all), thanks for reaching out.
Ricky – I’m really sorry this happened to you … count another person out for the Rio.
Its sad that in 2010 people are still so ignorant. Sorry that happened to you Rick. Not sure what the detective expected you to say anyway. Have a safe trip back.
Thank you so much Brian – means a lot coming from you guys!
I love how Shawn and Missy have jumped on the Rio bashing bandwagon. If you knew it was such an awful place (and it most definitely is!) why did you sign a contract to hold Affiliate Summit there for years?
I’m all for making a buck, but you can’t put dollars ahead of quality like you did by getting in bed with the Rio and now that your deal is done say “Yeah we hate it too.”
Sorry to hear about your experiences Ricky. Yet another reason that the Rio truly is the worst hotel in vegas.
Mitchel,
This is about what happened as a result of being at the Rio, which seems to have nothing to do with either Shawn or Missy. It is okay if you have a certain amount of animosity towards them, however, this does not mean you twist the whole purpose of this thread. Let’s work together to spread the word that something as important as persecution due to being different sends a wrong message.
Chris
“Mitchel” – I don’t know how you’ve determined I bashed the Rio here, as I just said they didn’t contact us.
Missy is at LeadsCon and I don’t know if she is even aware of this situation, yet.
Anyhow, we signed for multiple years there based on feedback from Affiliate Summit attendees and the hotel rates they said they were willing to pay.
Fortunately, the pricing has come down all around Vegas since then, and we were able to upgrade the hotel while still staying in the range people said they’d like to pay for a room.
Rick – that’s terrible. There isn’t a :facepalm: large enough. I heart our fear-mongering government.
Thanks guys for the support – means a lot! This too shall pass. Wonder if Rio has an affiliate program, i have many foreign affiliates i can send their way.
Rick
Rick,
This is unbelievable and disgusting. I can
That is ridiculous, how did they even find your information?
This is serious but you shouldn’t post this here,as Sikhs are not weak or terrorist. BTW, I am calling Sunny Deol for new cinema title “My name is Singh and I am not a terrorist”. :)
Ram – thanks for your comment! Now I ask you – why are you not promoting my network? http://www.affiliateventuregroup.com – let’s do this. ;-)
I hear you on this brother, when I go to some places I get the same treatment, sometimes even worse! I just don’t get it, this is 2011. Get with the times Brown is where it’s at…..LOL Don’t feel too bad bro! remember the team @ RIO is just as old and not with the times as the building!
Thanks Owen – much appreciated. Some people/organizations just don’t get it.
Ricky, sorry to hear this. Amazing how ignorant some people are. You can count me out of Rio as a customer forever as well.
Thanks Warren – I am glad it has shifted to Wynn. Kudos to the Affiliate Summit gang..