I’m of German ancestry (grandparents came here to escape the Nazis), and I am precise to the point of weighing out ground beef on my kitchen scale before packing it for freezing, just so each pack will contain exactly the same amount of food. I also have my spices alphabetized, and not just separate drawers for each type of kitchen utensil, but separate areas of drawers depending on whether said utensils are wooden, plastic, or metal. I have been known to (but do not always) measure how far the bedspread hangs down on each side of the bed to get it even, and to use a level to make sure my pictures are hung up straight.
My husband thinks it’s half-wacky, half-hysterical–but he would: he’s Swiss, and you know how relaxed and devil-may-care they are.
… OK, I’ll admit the bedspread part has gotten my family funky looks, but the rest is normal, innit? I have a keyring that’s a level and my brother’s look of envy any time he’s going to get his and I trot out mine is a treasure.
The fedora thing is my own observation. It seems to me black men still wear hats to be really dressed up - not neckbeard or hipster parodies of hats, but a good felt fedora with a modest brim and a feather, and when actually dressed up, not with thrift store clothes. I like them, too.
The blow-hair thing, that’s just from my father-in-law. He loved blow-hair, and said all black men did. He may have been projecting, though.
Which is cool, because we recognize one another. I can go to a bar I’ve never been at to see a band and ten minutes after arriving I’m out in the parking lot with my peeps.
Interesting; I also grew up out west (Washington, in my case).
It seems natural to me that people will compare how things are now with what we’re accustomed to. I’ve been here 16 years and still notice differences with the way things were in the northwest. I just think that’s a part of being observant and learning about the world.
I take the long-term view. In the future, this is the winter that we’ll brag about having survived it to the people who weren’t here.
I do that sort of thing on occasion. It’s usually not met with utter silence. I must be doing something wrong.
In both London and Paris I was told I have a very “American” face. I had no idea that such a thing existed. Mannerisms, attitude, style - I could understand that… but face? Still baffled about that one.
Talking to a Swedish guy at a bar (only after a few drinks, of course) I was told I seemed quite Swedish. I guess that fits with the reserved Minnesota upbringing.
[ul]
[li]I don’t tan very well and avoid being in the hot sun too long[/li][li]I don’t walk easily over coral or volcanic rock (“haole feet”)[/li][li]I sometimes need local vernacular repeated (you pau or wot, cuz?)[/li][li]I have trouble pronouncing some street names[/li][li]I turn my nose up at many ethic foods, especially Filipino and Vietnamese[/li][li]I have no rhythm [/li][li]When it’s in the high 60s and people are reaching for sweaters, I brag loudly about surviving Midwest winters[/li][/ul]
And, conversely, I brag to friends and family suffering in Midwest winters by asking “What’s snow?”
Location? Texas
Guns? Yep
Hunter? Yep
Fisherman? Yep
Antlered animal heads on wall? Yep
Venison in freezer? Yep
Pickup truck? Yep
Deer lease? Yep
Boots? Yep (work, not cowboy)
Beer? Yep
Nascar? Yep
Music? I listen to both country AND western, so I’ve broadened my tastes a bit.
Hetero? Yep
Married? Yep (good lookin’ southern gal)
Conservative? Yep
Now for the parts that don’t fit:
LGBT? Yep. Like 'em just fine. Welcome in my house, my world, my job, and everywhere else*
Religion? Nope. I’m an atheist and regard it as unadulterated bullshit.
Puritan? Nope. We regard sex as a fun thing that people do. And raised our kids that way.
*An openly gay man was part of our wedding. In the semi-rural South. 35 years ago. Hilarity ensued.
I must fit the stereotype of Latino, because it’s not unusual for a stranger approach me and begin speaking in Spanish. FTR, my family has lived in the same part of GA for at least 150 years.
How about this: loyal, well behaved and not as prone to hip dysplasia as a pure breed…
Yeah, I get the strangers speaking Spanish upon meeting me for the first time thing as well. I speak Spanish so it is not a problem, but I don’t identify as Hispanic.
Back in the 70s and 80s, I led a rather promiscuous lifestyle . . . until I met my partner. I’m an artist, and have a special talent for design and color. I play violin and viola, and have sung in a gay men’s chorus for the past 19.5 years. I listen to classical music, including opera, and of course musicals . . . and Streisand. I’ve been a gay activist when necessary. Most sports bore me, but I do enjoy figure skating. My two cats are named Paris and Vienna.
On the other hand . . . I found the disco period to be mind-numbingly dull. I have no love of Madonna, and consider Bette Midler to be an average singer at best. I don’t go to bars or clubs (don’t drink). I’m more of a nerd than anything else.
