After work today, I had to run a few errands. In between locations, I took a short break and soaked in some AC. While sitting in the parking lot, I was approached by a soldier. He asks me Excuse me, Sergeant, Are you Asian? I can imagine you are as radically confused as I was when the event took place. I mean, clearly, I hold the stereotypical looks of a fellow from the orient. Why would such a dumb question arise? I proceeded to answer but all that came out was my head shaking violently and exclaiming, What?. The following conversation is a bit para-phrased but it is what absolutely blew my mind. Yes, are you Asian? Yes, Yes I am Asian. Sergeant, Can you tell me what these numbers say? I dont understand them. The Soldier holds up a receipt that seemed to have originated from a Korean-owned alterations shop/dry cleaners. Partially crumpled with its corners tattered and wrinkled from sitting in ones pocket for a week. Still, the carbon print was legible. I dont know what youre asking, is what I responded with. The yellow tinge of the carbon copied receipt clearly made out numbers that would universally be perceived as $3.10. Before he could reply, I followed my prior response with a retaliative approach. You do know that the number system is a universal language, right? Its not specific to a certain culture or, in this case, ethnicity I dont know, it just looks more like a .50 than a .10 to me. Thanks, Sergeant!
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 23:33:52 +0000