When people find out I'm Cuban (which is practically one of the first things I tell them about myself, but that's not important right now) they ask me if I know "so and so" – their only other Cuban friend. They tell me the person's name and look questioningly into my eyes.
Surely I must know every other Cuban on the planet?
I wonder sometimes about their knowledge of history and geography and smile pleasantly and say, "that name sounds familiar, but I don't think I know them."
I know I don't look like your typical Spanish-speaker. I know I have the blue eyes and light skin. That doesn't mean I don't have salsa in my blood and a passionate love for all things guava.
And when they say, (which they always do), "Funny, but you don't look Cuban," I smile and keep my next thought to myself…..
And then I offer them a pastelito de guayaba and a sweet, hot espresso. "What? That isn't like anything you've ever tasted before?"
"Well, neither am I." 😉
Just call me Marta de la Saguesera.
I hear ya, Marta! I don’t look Cuban either… and I LOVE it that way. Here in Miami it really doesn’t matter, you can look any way you want and they will still talk to you in Spanish. But I lived in California for 35+ years and no one there ever suspected I spoke Spanish. I love the conversations that take place around you when no one else thinks you speak the language! LOL 🙂
That is such a great way to put it. I’m another blondie with an incongruous first and last name. I have the same reaction when asked about my career and my response is, ‘a psychiatrist’. I guess I don’t look like Freud, thank God. And Cuban, to boot!
LOL. I have a big mouth I just tell em “there’s all sorts of Hispanics black, white, indigenous and mixed just depends on their background” and if it’s someone who’s not important or in authority I will roll my eyes after saying that and say “in case you didn’t know”LOL. most ignorant thing I’ve heard is someone tell me “where’s your grandma from” I tell them “madrid, spain” their response “isn’t that in Mexico somewhere” I didn’t even bother lol.
All I have to say is I feel you! For some reason I find it a slap to my face when someone confuses my heritage. If you read my full name you would never guess that I was Hispanic, but take a look at me and there is no denying I am Latin, but when someone ignorantly assumes your country of origin it’s almost as if they have no regard for you or for geography and cultures all together!At least you are polite I tend to show what I’m thinking through my almost natural roll of the eyes….
Sadly I will have to break my diet because you got me in the mood for a pastelito de guayaba
I don’t think it’s ever necessary to be unkind. There are many places and people that I’m not familiar with. I just make it a point to educate when I can. Oh, yes….and FEED whenever possible. =D
Oh Marta, you are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooexcellent and funny. One day I must meet you and tell the things only you will understand. I’m in therapy for it now. Chickens, dichos, dirty looks, extra-loud vaccum cleaners, snow shoveling at midnight and Mike Huckabee is involved.