At Least She Wasn't Trying To Get Me To Teach Her Spells...?

[badstar]

Okay...so in doing ridiculous things like dying my hair fuschia, I expect to get a certain amount of funny looks and comments. On the whole, most of the comments are complimentary. And every now and then someone will say something obnoxious, but hey...it's my hair, and I dig it. When I get tired of it, I'll dye it back to a nice, normal, respectable color. Or something.

This one I think was just a little out of line...waiting at the bus stop in Towson this morning (Yes, liritsvoice I know, the bus stop...), someone else waiting for a bus comes up to me and starts this...A lady in her late 40's or early 50's I would guess, comes up to me, asks a quick question about the bus schedule which she was having some difficulty understanding...I help her out, show her how the table is laid out, and pointed out that the bus should be there in about 5 minutes.

after this, she gives me a rather disgusted look and from there it goes like this...

Her: "Don't your parents disapprove of you doing that to your hair? And what about that skirt? It's really ugly. I'm sure your mom would have something to say about that."

Me: "Well, they think I'm a litle weird, but they manage. As for the skirt, considering that it's a gift from my mom, I'm reasonably sure she'd be okay with it." (The offending skirt in question is nearly ankle-length, patchwork. One of my favorite pieces of clothing actually.)

Her: "If you were my daughter, you'd be grounded for a year if you disfigured yourself like that."

Me: "I haven't lived with my parents for almost 2 years."

Her: "What are you, a runaway or something?"

Me: "Um, no. I moved out on my own."

Her: "You can't tell me you're old enough to be in college?"

Me: "I was old enough to be in college in 1997. I'm 26. Other than the fact that you plainly disapprove of my choice of clothing and hair color, have I somehow offended you to warrant your talking to me like this?"

Her (ignoring my last question): "What kind of job could you ever expect to find looking like that. Please don't tell me you're on unemployment."

Me: "As it happens, I do tech support for Apple Computer, perhaps you've heard of them. And I don't understand why you stand here and continue to insult me, when I've done nothing other than help you with the bus schedule. I think this conversation is over. Happy Easter."

I walked away (as far as I could and still be near the bus stop anyway) and the bus did soon arrive.

Okay..I know that I look pretty young, and the pink hair definitely adds to the juvenile effect...but does anyone think I look like I'm still to young for college?

In any case, like I said she was out of line. It wasn't so much the hair or the clothes, but saying stuff about my parents, and job?

Good grief, yeah the 'rents think I'm off my rocker, but they deal. They're used to it, and I think at this point it actually amuses my mom. Last year when I had the purple and blue extensions, she tried to pull them out, thinking they were a clip-on thing and wanting to borrow it. I'm 26 years old, gainfully employed and while I may take many issues with my place of employment, I can say this...they don't give a rat's ass what color my hair is or what kind of clothes I wear (well, within reason...they're sure as hell not going to bitch about an ankle-length skirt.)

But what is it that makes people think they have the right to say stuff like that? Am I a runaway? Unemployed? I look "different" so I must be delinqent.

Okay...enough ranting. Time to sleep.

Comments

[twistedcat.livejournal.com]

*rolls eyes*

apparently you were at the bus stop with my mother... she does shit like that all the time...

[sunneyone.livejournal.com]

damn, what a rudeass! you handled that VERY well.

[liritsvoice.livejournal.com]

Her: "Don't your parents disapprove of you doing that to your hair? And what about that skirt? It's really ugly. I'm sure your mom would have something to say about that."

you: didnt your parents teach you any manners? listening to you, i'd say not. i'd have to say that you must have been raised by laughing hyenas. evil ones. who else would have taught you that its *ever* ok to be this rude and obnoxious?!?

[liritsvoice.livejournal.com]

on second thought, thats insulting to hyena's. clearly this woman doesnt have parents.

[lotii.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry sweetie!!

Luckily, I think the tech industry may open the doors for more 'colorful' (I am including myself in that :)) personalties in professional environments. I work at a large tech company as well. I am responsible for several large customers. The company lets us come to work dressed casually everyday - I'm not talking business casual, but jeans and a t-shirt. Plus, no one there would blink an eye if this 30yo comes in with bright red dyed hair or a new tattoo. My boss has never once made a comment about anything I have done, because she trusts that I will be professional when I actually visit my customers. The environment is incredibly refreshing!

[bitchiekittie.livejournal.com]

yikes. people like that have very serious and likely life affecting issues, so are to be seriously pitied.

though I haven't had my hair dyed anything more wild than bright red streaks in many years (I've worked in series of conservative offices), I've got peircings and tattoos. and though most people are complimentary or merely curious, some feel the need to show me the error of my ways. I put these people in the same annoying-but-overwhelmingly-pathetic category I put folks that insist on preaching to me about their religion of choice. people are too arrogant to realize that their words have very little value to anyone but themselves and the already converted.

[marilyth.livejournal.com]

That makes me want to do the black with the blue streaks even more, except for the fact that I want to teach or do law doesn't really play into that.

Good for you! I wish I had your cohones!!

:)

[gothicbeauty21.livejournal.com]

I"ve noticed that there are a lot of alternative lifestyle-type peeps in the computer/techie industry. The outcasts seem to be the ones to turn to technology, so it would be logical to assume that they would eventually get a degree and work in the industry. If they're the type keeping the industry going through commerce, it would be stupid for the companies to refuse to hire them, or try to restrict their dress.

And I mean, if the customers don't have to see you, what the hell does it matter what you wear? :)

[cobaltium.livejournal.com]

I think that if this woman were in her 70's or 80's, this behaviour might be more easily understood -- afterall, look how much they have been through and how much the world has changed; their traditions and values that were established early on are constantly being assaulted by today's technology and culture.

However...

This woman is about the same age as my mother, and has no excuse. She went through the 1960's and '70's herself; obviously she has either a large chip on her shoulder or is too full of her own greatness to look beyond her perfectly powdered nose.

Kudos to you for not losing it. :)

[apotwixx.livejournal.com]

That is so messed up, yet slightly amusing in a non-natural sorta way. I cannot believe that someone completely random would do that. What business was it of hers and who is she to judge anyone else. You have the right to be yourself. :-)

[aphiorogue.livejournal.com]

you need to stop going to the bus stop.

and no you don't look young enough not to be outta college.

hope that made sense.

[fuego.livejournal.com]

actually...it ddn't.


do you mean i look young enough to still be in college, or i don't look young enough to still be in college? hehehe

[fuego.livejournal.com]

also...i have no car, and i can't beam to work so....when i can't get rides to and from, i have to take the bus. and to other places too. oh well, at least i can't say i have a totally boring comute

[aphiorogue.livejournal.com]

lol figured as much, but it seams like you run into the weridest folks there.

[aphiorogue.livejournal.com]

you look old enough to be out of college and in a real job.

[fervid-dryfire.livejournal.com]

Am I a runaway? Unemployed? I look "different" so I must be delinqent.

Those of us who never even actually seen you before would not think any such thing, just so you know. =)

[fuego.livejournal.com]

i feel so much better now...