Living Seoul

I may be bordering on a touchy subject. Under the cut.

Have you ever heard someone say that it’s racist if you think people of the same race look the same? I don’t know if I think it’s actively racist and purposefully meant to be malignant. However, I think at the very least it indicates a certain level of ignorance. Let me make this clear before I continue, I don’t think what happened is a big deal and I’m not mad. I just want to put it out there and know what anyone else thinks.

I walked into the break room at work the other day and two other people were already in there. Both men, one Caucasian and one African-American. The Cau guy has worked there a while, the A-A guy is new to the company and is still getting to know people. After I walk out the new guy asks the one that’s been there longer something to the effect of, “Which one is she?” He was confusing me with my friend/co-worker doesn’t look anything like me. Pretty much the only thing we have in common is that we’re Caucasian females. She’s about five inches shorter than me and weighs 25 pounds less than me. Her hair is a lighter shade of brown. Her eyes are a totally different color. And although we’re both technically “white” she’s SO tan. I’m pale pale pale. It was shocking to me that anyone could confuse us. To give the new guy some credit, my friend and I do sit in cubicles next to each other, we’re always talking to each other, we go to lunch together, etc. Maybe he’s simply confusing us because we associate with each other. But overall I think most people would say that we do not look similar.

So, I’m just wondering…am I making this about race when it shouldn’t be? Is it just because the guy is new and is still trying to figure out who everyone is? There are other new people at the company who don’t confuse  us for each other. Maybe the new guy was just trying to make conversation…?