who the fuck has a fashion show outside in the dead of winter? it was a good 3 below in the city of novi sad last night. but there we were, sitting in the middle of the main shopping drag with about 30 other people, watching lanky serbian lasses trot down a red carpet runway in just short of over-designed italian gear. the highlight was a curious blonde-in-a-fur, who, despite the limitations the ample animal hair placed on her range of motion, turned a 180 in her seat to speak to me in rapid fire serbian.
insert blank stare here.
serb: english, please.
blonde-in-a-fur sucks her teeth at this, turns her attention to him, and repeats.
serb: oh.
he says this to himself. as if contemplating whether or not to translate. but blonde-in-a-fur is looking at me, smiling and expectant. he turns to me, reluctant.
serb: she said to tell you . . . that her best friend is from . . . angola . . .
i plaster on a plastic smile. lift my chin at her.
me: aaaah! okay!
between my teeth, to the serb--
but i'm american.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
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6 comments:
You are too funny! Get out she just assumed you were from Africa because you're Black? LMAO! Seriously, who the hell has fashion show outside like that in the cold.
Um, fashion show in freezing weather...absolutely nuts.
I don't know if this has been your experience in other European countries. I think in Europe there is an assumption that if you're black you must be from Africa. When I was in Paris (years ago) I spoke to the concierge at our hotel a number of times. Later, when I asked her about the people in the room next to us (they were LOUD), she rolled her eyes and said in a disgusted tone, "Oh, them. They are American." Fur girl sounds special though.
Although her ignorance can be annoying, I think her friendliness is touching.
If only I could tell you how many times I have cringed when I have heard well-educated Americans refer to Africa as a country... Then again, I just started noting regional differences among Americans. If only we knew everything...
@ anonymous
with the exception of one or two catty girls (which is universal) EVERYONE'S been super friendly. i didn't find blonde-in-a-fur annoying at all. i was more confused. normally, people ask where you're from. we don't know everything. that's what questions are for.
@ bklnbabe and sdg1844
it's 6 below today. it'll be 12 below tomorrow. i saw some workers setting up a stage in the main square in front of the constitution building. i don't care if jesus is preaching, the serb better not even suggest it . . .
i often had this experience in berlin about 8 years ago. now things have changed but i often get, "wow, your german is so good. why?"
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