Two things never fail.
Not a week goes by when the most unsought for things are constantly brought to my attention. LUCKY ME (that's a sarcastic statement in case you can't hear my voice ringing in your mind)!
Usually people notice my features and think I'm either Italian (which is right) or Latina (which is also correct). They never guess I'm both. I'm a rare breed--it's understandable. But this is the norm of my life as of late.
I've never solely identified myself by my race, the way I talk, or if there is a ring on my finger.
I work as a receptionist (basically--let's just call it that for now) in a laundry mat--in the big times, people. Look out. Older people and students come in to get help and I have to talk to them and help them with what they are looking for usually by asking them their last names and take it from there. Personally, I enjoy making small talk. If I'm going to be standing in front of someone for between 30 seconds to 5 minutes, I want to make those seconds worthwhile for both of us. Life is boring enough as it is. Let's spice this bad boy up! Let's have some fun convo! Usually they loosen up after I break the ice. (It's so enjoyable to see someone smile and laugh. That is my personal philosophy that there is so much happiness that comes from making someone else smile or laugh or anything. It just makes me feel good because they feel good. Okay, tender moment is passing now.)
So, today--
Me and this older gentleman small talked while I got his items that he left for us. We started making small talk and then he finally looked at me enlightened, jumpy and said:
"Hey! Where are you from? You look like you're not from here"
Me: (I have seriously heard this 30 times within the last few weeks) Uh haha no sir, I'm not
from here, you're good!
usually here is when people ask me if I'm from New York but he didn't guess.
Him: Well, where are you from?
Me: Haha I'm from Virginia.
That's when he told me that he could tell, as an easterner himself, that I wasn't from these parts.He would know, he's from Pennsylvania...he KNOWS an easterner when he sees one.
I won't lie.
I giggled inside.
I've heard this before, "Are you from New York?", "You look and sound like you're from New York", "Are you hispanic", "You look exotic", "You can dance you're hispanic", "You aren't from around here, I can tell by the way you talk". The list goes on and on. I really don't mind it. In fact, I like that people can tell I'm not from here, I just never realized that I'm ...wait for it...different. o.O
The OTHER thing I always hear? And I shall show you by example:
The same man that I was helping in the previous dialogue---during his epiphany of my origin he asks while he looks over the counter to my hands typing on the keyboard he says,
"Are you...(he sees my ringless ring finger on my left hand) you're not married!? I just can't believe that! I'm so surprised that you aren't married. You know I have a son..." and then we had that interesting conversation of people trying to set me up, and keep in mind, I had JUST met this man. I explained that it's not like it used to be back in the good 'ol days.
This is the story of my life, currently. Let's be clear. I'm not mad i'm not married. I'm not going to go marry the first guy that asks me out. It's flattering that people are kind to me and don't make me feel this, "Oh, I can see why you're not married" or perhaps think to themselves, "Ahh, yeaaaah....poor girl", so not preferable, but it's not a race or a club to join!
But, this is the funny, weird, odd, interesting things of my life. All-in-all, a great episode for a Friday.
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Answers to the posed questions by random people I meet:
1) I say I'm from Virginia. I was born in Georgia on an army base. We grew up in Virginia because my Mom's family came from Peru there and stayed. My Dad is from New York and has a strong accent so I grew up listening to his NY way of speaking. When I say the word, "Brooklyn" I sound like I'm from there. I can't explain it. My Mom has an accent too, so we (as in my brothers and I), sounds like we are a mix of NY and accent-free speech.
Perhaps I have the "I don't take no nonsense" attitude, which helps bring the east coast vibe to the plate. We don't tip-toe around feelings too much, yet are tactful. :) You know it be true!
2) No, I am not married. It's true! I wish I could tell you exactly why. One of the reasons? I don't feel like I need to be married to be whole or a complete person. Do I want to be married? Of course! I want a successful marriage and to have a family and I want a baby!! I lost control there for a second. Ahem, better now. It's an important choice to make and I want to go about it in a mature way. I don't care how old I am, just that I marry the right person in the right place at the right time.
I think once I find it, i'll know. :)
