the impact of strangers.

[draconaei]

As I walked through campus yesterday without a headscarf (on warm summer days I especially prefer to be bald,) a man approached me and asked "What the fuck did you DO to yourself?!"

...

A pleasant counter-story, on the other hand: while eating in Panera earlier today, a little girl ran up to me, said "Hi pretty!!" and ran away.

Comments

[bluefireangel]

God, what an asshole. I wonder if he was so hostile because he thought you were a lesbian (since short/no hair on girls is often associated with homosexuality). You're just running up against all sorts of stupid and offensive stereotypes.

But yay awesome little girl!

[draconaei]

I am often mistaken for a lesbian, among other things, including but not limited to social rebel, artist, and cancer patient.

I do <3 that little girl. =)

[cplady]

I'm glad you had the counter story. Leave it to a child to know what is truly beautiful in this world.

Just like bluefire said, some people are just complete assholes. It's time like those when a good comeback would be great. It's a good thing I wasn't there because I would have verbally raped him.

[draconaei]

Ian joked that would've been the right time to "pull out the cancer card"- nothing like a comeback of "I've only been given three months to live" to stop someone like that in their tracks.

Though obviously that would be too mean (and offensive to anyone that actually does go through chemotherapy) so that comeback will never happen.

[scuba_sm]

You could tell him that if he keeps saying things like that to strangers, *he's* only got three months to live....

[cplady]

I agree the cancer card would be out of line, but something on the order of "If only it WERE something *I* did. I'd love to have hair"

But, there's not much you can do about people who make assumptions.

I still think you are beautiful, as does everyone else who knows you.

So...one more week. Any progress on an apartment? Or should I move mom's clothing out of Ian's room?