I work part time at a chain bookstore

[nosotrash]

and of course we have to wear name tags. There is a certain scenario that keeps playing out that totally bugs me

Comments

[sucia01]

I get the same thing. When I say I'm Mexican they ask me when I came here.

I was born here. There were 3 generations before me. But as far as they are concern we just crossed the border. It's bizarre to me cause I don't have an accent and my name is bibical not ethnic.

People are weird.

[born_stubborn]

It's interesting how there are so many people that think all Mexican Americans fell out of the sky on one July 12, 1999, or something like that.

Ignorance is only bliss if you're the one that's ignorant.

[dancenurbones]

"ahhnuuuh Peeeeeee(ana p.). what's the p stand for? perez?"

"...palomares"

"oh, that's pretty. what are you?"

"mexican."

"and what else...."

"nothing else."

"REALLY?!"

most of the time it's not annoying but sometimes you get those people that refuse to believe that you are just like them.

[vanessa_elle]

i get that sometimes but the context is different here in Montreal (very multicultural, French-speaking majority), i think. people often can't figure out my background (ask if i'm Indian- both kinds, Arab, Turkish etc). i was born and raised in the US but when i speak French, i don't have a typical anglo accent, so people get confused and end up asking what my background is. so, i don't find the question rude here, people are just curious, but yeah, i can definitely see such questions bothering me if i were back home. you're in Texas, right? like, these dudes should get over it already.

[nosotrash]

yes, i'm in texas. yes, they should.

[chreebomb]

Yeah. A lot. I've even had people argue with me, or ask me if I'm not "sure" I'm Chinese. *sigh* YES I AM AND SHUT UP OKAY THANKS!

/ranty pants

[dr_wrebagzhoe]

I'm half Californio, that is to say: my dad's ancestors were in California when it was claimed for Spain, when it was part of Mexico, when it was its own thing for like five minutes, and then finally when it became part of the States. The other half is a mix of Irish, Scotish, Indian (dot & feather) and Scandanavian.

My grandfather's great grandfather was a French Canadian who moved to California when it was technically part of Mexico. True Gringo ancestry (not the "go home pinche gringo" variety). Because of this I have a distinctly nonhispanic name. I get annoyed because I'm mostly confronted by Hispanics who doubt my ancestry.

The following is a typical confrontation during my childhood:

Cholo: "You Metsican?"

Me: "Kind of."

Cholo: "Wha'chu Spanish or someting?"

Me: "Californio"

Cholo: "Eh?"

Me: "I'm from Pomona."

Cholo: "Go home pinche gringo. You ain't Metsican."
*punches me in the gut, takes my lunch money

[vieja]

I get that "typical confrontation" now, except instead of metsican, they ask, "Are you chicana?"