japan has diluted my pc-ness
i innocently approach the clinique counter in SC and inquire, “do you carry the derma-white line?” to the african-american sales-lady. she replies with only a questioning expression.
“i don’t know if it’s called that here, but it’s a whitening line – do you have one?”
“that wouldn’t go over well here.” she responds, straightening her posture and looking me dead in the eye.
then it hit me – IDIOT! “oh, you know it’s just a line that helps reduce sun spots, and stuff…” i stammer.
“we have a BRIGHTENING line” she lets me off the hook and moves to present the product line.
yep. i’ve been away a long time.
You poor thing…. at least it worked out ok. But I’m sure you felt silly for a while after that. But I still love ya anyway xxx
Sometimes I think people just look for a reason to get offended. I mean, really. Should a white girls be offended by Black Opal or Black Radiance cosmetic lines? I think not. Instead of looking at the words, maybe she should have listened for your intent before making you feel uncomfortable for something so unintentional.
thanks, noush! it just gave me a good chuckle to realize how being PC is so different depending on which country you are in and how i have really been away for a while to not have thought of this!
haha, sis – yeah, i guess if the caucasian race had been the one historically discriminated against, those lines would be offensive, but that’s not the case. words can definitely press buttons and it’s hard to decide sometimes whether it’s just semantics and we should consider the intent foremost, or whether those words were really meant to cause harm.
i’m okay with it – made for a funny story! 🙂