Riley and I went to the mall yesterday, mostly so I could go to Cinnabon. And when I say we went to the mall, I mean we drove 20 miles to Salinas to go to the mall. We have a mall here in Monterey but its a small outdoor mall. It has your basic stores I suppose but its really a boring place to go. I had a craving and I didn't care that I'd have to drive almost a half hour to fulfill it. Plus it got Riley and I out of the house.After I got my cinnabon, we walked around the mall. If you can call Riley's walking actual walking. It takes forever to get anywhere when shes walking. But she's so proud of herself and wears the biggest smile, so I let her. While in Victorias Secret a few people made comments to me about Riley. One lady argued with me about the color of Riley's eyes. She told me that Riley had to have blue in her eyes. I assured her that she did not. She asked me if I was sure. I was like "I'm very sure". Then she looked a bit disappointed that Riley had only brown eyes. After this conversation someone else asked if Riley was white and my first thought was "no". But then I remembered, "My child is white". Ha! After I said yes, the lady asked: "So black and white?". Part of me really wanted to ask her if she was serious, obviously I'm black... But I didn't. I just smiled, nodded, and walked away. Not because I'm rude though, because Riley was pushing the stroller into some displays. While catching up to Riley, a sales associate came up to me and asked if Riley was my child because she didn't look like me at all. I almost rolled my eyes but I simply replied that she looks just like her dad.
I'm always surprised by questions strangers will ask you. I guess it keeps things interesting though. It made my visit to Victorias Secret a lot more entertaining than it would have been otherwise. Not only did I leave the store with my correct bra measurements but also an amusing story to share with my husband and I guess those that read my blog:)
12 comments:
I am just shocked that people actually ask you those questions. I love how you handled each situation with such grace! A lesson for me, who is married to a white man will have biracial children.
Maybe you should have said "Oh I just found this little blue-eyed girl wandering around the Cinnabon and decided to take her home."
@madison-LOL!!
I use to be so shocked by some of the comments folks would make about my child. The assumptions, the double takes, the stares and the silly questions. Funny, what use to make me mad, now makes me giggle. People are amusing!!
People can be so rude, especially about biracial children. It's like seeing a biracial child with a black parent is rare...so rare that one must inquire about the child because you, as a dark-skinned person, cannot be the parent of this light-skinned, curly-haired child...a light-skinned, curly-haired child who must have blue eyes because all white people have blue eyes *rolling eyes*...
...give me a break...
My aunt with through the same thing with her biracial child in the 70s, so just imagine the comments she was receiving.
Dang people are nosy!!! I have a friend who used to get the same questions because her daughter was blonde and she wasn't. They also thought that she and her husband were in highschool.People are funny...
What on earth is wrong with people? 1.) who asks questions like that to a stranger? 2.) who asks questions like that to anyone? Some people, I tell ya.
Um...wow! People are bold these days. That's crazy rude. But I guess all you can do is shake your head and get a good laugh over it!
Oh, and I do see a lot of Leif in her but I see you in her too :)
Wow, I agree with everyone else. Thats rude. My mom said that when I was little people used to ask her if I was her child because I had very blonde hair and fair skin and she is a black-haired Italian. I totally looked like my dad, which is funny because other than my hair color I now look just like my mom.
and ps... I'd drive a half hour for cinnabon anyday :)
I had a lot of those questions. Or people saying her hair is so pretty followed by a long awkward pause and stare. I never say anything anymore. I also get oh, she is so light, and I just say so is my Mom. But the one kicker was the nurse at the obgyn's office after she was born. She asked under her breathe, is she mixed, and I said yeah kinda.
Margaret,
Get use to it. Yvonne said it; it's just amusing to me now because I know those type of people continue to exist. I'm sure you already realize that you pick and choose which comments really need your attention. After all, you've got a roaming child pushing a stroller to go after :).
I just found your blog. Riley is such a cutie. I used to and still get those comments every once in a while from people. I just look at them and stare with a face like are you seriously asking that question? I don't let it bother me people are going to do and say what they want. I have 6 year old twins. My daughter looks like me and my son looks like his father. I'm looking forward to reading more of your blog. Congrats on the new baby!
i think she looks a lot like you! just a lighter shade.
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