When Stereotypes are Funny
By Amber
@AmbiePam (85734)
United States
June 15, 2012 12:32pm CST
So my sister went to a local store and bought some black dolls. My sister is white. When she got to checkout the woman at the register asked if she needed a gift receipt (thoughtful of her, I think). My sister said no thank you. The woman was like, are you sure?
My sister said she was sure. And the lady just looked at her like, whaaat? So if you've seen my other discussions you know my sister and BIL are taking care of a baby in foster care, with the intention of adopting her fully. The baby happens to be black.
She also told me when she's alone with A, no one thinks anything is weird because they assume her husband is black. When her husband is alone with A, no one thinks it is weird because they assume my BIL's wife is black. It's when they see the two white parents with the black baby that they get the odd looks. Which kind of surprises me. I mean I don't how many people I know, or know of, who have adopted Asian babies from overseas. Then when another lady saw the baby from a picture, she asked me what country 'A' was from. I said, "America." They had just assumed they'd gone overseas as well if the baby was not white.
I can't blame the lady at the register for her confusion. I would have explained it just because I'd be excited to have 'A'. But my sister is more of a 'mind your own business' kind of person, so she didn't offer any explanation. I thought it must have been really funny to see that lady's face.
There seems to be a grain of truth in a lot of stereotypes, while others are just bizarre. Do you have some funny stories about things like that?
My sister said she was sure. And the lady just looked at her like, whaaat? So if you've seen my other discussions you know my sister and BIL are taking care of a baby in foster care, with the intention of adopting her fully. The baby happens to be black.
She also told me when she's alone with A, no one thinks anything is weird because they assume her husband is black. When her husband is alone with A, no one thinks it is weird because they assume my BIL's wife is black. It's when they see the two white parents with the black baby that they get the odd looks. Which kind of surprises me. I mean I don't how many people I know, or know of, who have adopted Asian babies from overseas. Then when another lady saw the baby from a picture, she asked me what country 'A' was from. I said, "America." They had just assumed they'd gone overseas as well if the baby was not white.
I can't blame the lady at the register for her confusion. I would have explained it just because I'd be excited to have 'A'. But my sister is more of a 'mind your own business' kind of person, so she didn't offer any explanation. I thought it must have been really funny to see that lady's face.
There seems to be a grain of truth in a lot of stereotypes, while others are just bizarre. Do you have some funny stories about things like that?1 person likes this
7 responses
@AmbiePam (85734)
• United States
16 Jun 12
One of your fellow Canadians said she knows someone (family) who adopted Chinese babies and they get the weird looks. I'm sure it's natural.
But maybe it depends on what part of the country. I used to live in California, and I don't think it would be as unusual there. Or in New York.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
16 Jun 12
yes ambie and it also makes a difference on whether or not you live in a big city, like new york and chicago or montreal where anything goes. Small towns are more conservative.
1 person likes this
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
15 Jun 12
tooo funny! Thanks for the chuckle.
I have a story as well. In the 80's the Nestle "Alpine White" chocolate bar was new and very popular. Actually, I don't see it around very much, do they still make it? Anyway, there we were in the grocery store when my little sister who had trouble pronouncing the word, alpine, and noticed the chocolate section as we rounded the corner and blurted out, "Mom, I want some ALBINO WHITE CHOCOLATE!" To my Mother's horror, she noticed a Black woman with her albino son looking at us like we were terrible people.
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
16 Jun 12
Yeah, she was mortified,basically. I mean, what are the odds. Of course this incident sparked a running family joke whenever white chocolate cravings erupted.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157692)
• United States
16 Jun 12
I have a wonderful former work mate who adopted all of her children. She just delights in some of the weird things she gets asked. Again, she and hubby are both white, but because of having had some seizure problems she was advised not to have children, and she loves them. So her first daughter is 1/2 black, and my friend has really long kinky curly dark blonde hair, and so does the daughter.So she gets mistaken for blood relation a lot. I believe daughter #2 is 1/4. Then son number one is really a very dark full blooded child,but is built like her husband, and her fourth is Hispanic and white, actually is her sister's child. I think she has adopted one more, since I almost never see her any more. I just love her raising a rainbow. Her hubby also teaches high school science and they have a menagerie of animals, and then they have rescued an abused burro and neglected llamas. It is literally a zoo there.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85734)
• United States
15 Jun 12
I grew up with a girl who, with her husband has adopted a black baby from here in America, a baby from Vietnam, a white baby from here, and she is now pregnant for the first time. She's part Native American. So now all she needs is a Hispanic baby to complete the circle!
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
19 Jun 12
Even if your sister were more like you, she'd eventually get to a point where she'd get sick of explaining it.
I've been down that road, because my oldest son is half black while the rest of us are white.
Most people don't say anything about it and just make their own assumptions. If the subject comes up people will assume I was married before.. which I wasn't, this is my first marriage. Though one person actually thought my son was fully adopted.. and this assumption came from a woman who has kids by different men. I just thought that was kind of funny. Considering I'm only 32 now, the chances that I'd have an adopted child are slim.. most parents don't adopt until they've tried everything else to have their own children... meaning when they're my age or older.. add to that my son is 15.. not a baby. Just seemed like a weird assumption.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
15 Jun 12
My best friend is black. Years ago, we had a pool built in the back yard and I had a pool party and invited her and her family. She has two sons and they were about 5 and 7 at the time. They loved the pool and had a great time. When the food was ready, the older one got right out while the younger one didn't want to leave the water.
We tried everything to coax him out of the water until my friend said one thing, "Aunt Marti has watermelon!" He shot out of that pool and grabbed for the watermelon as fast as his little legs could carry him. I almost lost it, laughing so hard, because of that stereotype of blacks and watermelon. Even my friend laughed because she's well aware of that stereotype.
I'm happy for your sister and BIL and hope the adoption goes through without any problems.
I'm happy for your sister and BIL and hope the adoption goes through without any problems.1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
19 Jun 12
I am sure the lady was trying to be nice.....but really it was none of her business....I think the older generation has a bigger problem with stereotyping people then the younger generation. I see my grandkids and they are so accepting of anyone that they wouldn't blink at a situation like this.....I know a gal and her husband who adopted three little girls from the same family...also black.....and when people see her some still stare when they call her mommy or her husband daddy....but it's usually from someone older. I am glad my grandkids are more open!
1 person likes this
