Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Ain't Too Tall to Beg

I was in a meeting today and at a break I stood up, strategically "picked at" a few clothing items to "re-adjust," and proceeded to walk about.  That's when a BWF (Blonde White Female) manager who I've only spoken to on the phone up until now, says to me, LOUDLY and audibly to others in the vicinity, "Oh! Emmybean, I didn't realize how TALL you were! WOW! I've only spoken to you on the phone! Isn't that funny?! I didn't know you were this taaaa-ahhhll!"
Uh um what. the. fuck. I really wanted to say "oh you mean I'm tall...for an Asian. right?" But I didn't. (jerkstore) Instead I was mortified. And pissed. Why?

Numbah-One: Please please PLEASE don't draw any undue attention to me in public, especially based on ANYTHING physical going on with me. Okay? Is that too much to ask for at work?

Two:  Why did she think I was short? Because I have a chinky last name and all asian women are tiny? Or is there something in my very "phone presence" that makes me sound...small, so that when meeting me in person my height is that much of a surprise? Guess I gotta consider that...just to be fair.

C:  Am I now considered "circus-freak tall" because I'm Asian AND I'm over 5'5? Great.

And finally, the TOPPER....she had actually MET me in PERSON before this!!!! She must have just "forgotten." So now I'm forgettable AND too tall for my race? Thanks, bitch!

Now I know this person probably "didn't mean it like that" and had no malicious intent... right?  And it's just a harmless observation on her part, a slip of the tongue...right?  Or is there something more subversive going on here? Despite my sarcasm, I don't profess to know. It just made me feel bad.

No comments:

Post a Comment