And he goes, “What are you?” Which is fucking rude.
Okay, this is funny, but also, there are people* in the US who DO use the word “Spanish” in place of “Hispanic”
*WHITE PEOPLE, IN MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, USUALLY FROM THE TRI STATE AREA
They do NOT mean Spanish. They mean “from a Spanish-speaking country.”
This once caused a moron named Leah to get cut from Top Chef because she made Spanish food during a Latin American challenge and the judges were like “Why did you make this? It’s not Latin American?” and she was like “There are similar dishes at a Spanish restaurant by my house.” And they were like “Okay…and?” and then they all stared at each other for awhile and then they sent her home and I was dying laughing the whole time.
This actually happened to a friend of mine. We shared similar experiences because I am a white passing mixed child with a very Hispanic name and he was just of white Spanish descent with, obviously, a very Hispanic name (following?)
So while I was getting conversations like “Why is your dad Mexican?” “He’s not. He’s Bolivian.” “… so why does he look Mexican?” “I… he’s Bolivian…” “Aren’t those the same thing?” “No. No they are not.” “Are you sure?” “Yes.”
He was getting conversations like
“Oh. Your last name is very French.” (with a double L that sounds like a y) “Uh… no. It’s actually Spanish.” “Spanish? Are you sure?” “Yes.” “How are you sure?” “Because my family is Spanish?” “Oh, but you don’t look Mexican.” “I… no. I’m not Mexican>” “But you just said…” “Spanish… as in…. from Spain. Which is in Europe.” “But you’re…” “White. Because my family. Is from Spain. In Europe.”
