Monday, March 21, 2011

Hair and Nationality

This is a conversation that I had with a guy from the British Isles today in a cafe:

Guy: "Where are you from?"
Me: "Boston"
Guy: "Boston, America?"
Me: "Yes."
Guy: "No, you're not.  You can't be American."
Me: "Oh?"
Guy: "Americans don't have hair that colour."
Me: "Have you been to America?"
Guy: "Yes."
Me: "And you didn't see anyone with hair this colour?"
Guy: "No, I didn't!  Where are you from, really?  Scotland?"
Me: "No.  I'm from Boston."
Guy: (turns to his friend) "You're American - does she look American?"
Friend: "No."
Guy: "See?  He's American.  You can't be American."
Me: "But I am."

He bought me coffee afterwards, presumably to make up for the scene he caused regarding my nationality in a tiny cafe while I was trying to read.... so far, today has been odd.

5 comments:

  1. that's hilarious!!! glad to hear you're making lots of friends :)

    PS: please tell your little sis that I hope she feels better soon!

    ReplyDelete
  2. OMG! That reminds me of when I was in Cambodia and struck up a conversation with a girl at a bar. I asked her where she was from and she said slowly and with great concerted enunciation AMERICA. Turns out that's where I'm from too, but I guess I don't look it?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alexandra - of course I will, she'll be glad to hear from you!

    Sobrina - that's hilarious! Maybe it's more of a widespread thing than I thought!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, how odd! I love that! Why, what IS your hair colour?!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It was odd - my hair colour is somewhere between red and blonde and brown.... One day I'll put a picture of myself up and you'll see.

    ReplyDelete