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I have a tough time with this. I don't remember how many times that i've been told that i speak English very well. I was even put into an ESL class in Grade 2 simply because of the way that I looked ( I was quickly moved back out). People do constantly ask where I am from. No really , where? When I insist that I am Canadian, i have to go through the whole song and dance about my parents being born in China, but I wasn't.
I try to turn the tables when the rude ones persist: 'where are you from? Canada? no really, tell me... England? Poland?' and 'You speak english very well, and you're from Italy?" Oh well, you get pleasure where you can.
But the racism (?) i hesitate to use a word that is loaded, but has no real meaning, is subtle. Just the other day i was waiting in line to buy a lottery ticket, when an older (white) man budded right in front. AND the kiosk operator started to serve him! She saw exactly what happened. I spoke up, something neither of them expected: ' Excuse me, but there is a line up, and I am next.' They both continued to ignore me, so i spoke up louder, and he finally stepped back, no apology from either of them.
They were not expecting an Asian girl to defend herself vociferously. much less speak up for herself, in perfect English! It happens constantly.
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