Don't get me wrong, before this I only had 2 very minor experiences with racism in the two years plus I've been here in the US. For that I am grateful. Someone said before maybe it's because Chicago is a big cultural melting pot, that being of a different race doesn't really make you, well, different anymore. In our office alone, the biggest minority are asians, so I perfectly blend right in.

Before immigrating to Chicago I had trepidations of how other people were going to treat me at work. Outside the office I couldn't care less since I am always the type who enjoys my own company, I am not much of a social animal. But working is a different matter. You have to deal with this people and get along with them. To my surprise, my officemates were more than helpful and friendly, be they be a part of my team or not. I don't know but I have expected some snootiness here and there, but there weren't any. Not a single iota. As what we would say in our dialect, "mga edukada kaayo" (literally translated as very educated but means more like very good upbringing/well mannered).

But I am as not idealistic as NOT to recognize a case of racism when there is one and this happened to me a couple of months ago. All because of a silly incident that happened, of all places, inside the restroom.

I was headed towards the women's restroom when I passed by an older woman in the hallway. Tom complains I walk too slow for him, but I have always considered myself a fast pacer. So there wasn't any intention of "overtaking" this woman in the first place. When I reached the women's room I went to my favorite cubicle - the handicapped, because the others were just simply too suffocatingly small. As I closed the door of the cube, I heard this woman come in and I swear I heard her muttering with the word, "...chinese!" at the tailend of it.

I thought it was just my imagination but when I opened the door, imagine my surprise to see here right across me, hands at her chest and glowering! She was waiting for me the entire time I was doing my business (lucky for her I didn't take long, promise!) She didn't say anything as I brushed passed her though. At first I just thought that the other cubicles were full, but I then discovered they were empty. Strange, I said to myself but didn't think more of until the following day.

I was on my way to the cafeteria when 20 meters from me I saw the same woman coming towards my direction. But in the corner of the cafeteria she stopped in her tracks and stared hard at me for a long time before proceeding to where she was going. Talk about shooting dagger looks! With this I was finally convinced that she definitely said something unflattering about "chinese" the day before. While I was following her I noticed for the first time that she had "elephant legs" (swollen ankles) and walking with a slight limp. So this would explain why she was ticked off when I used her preferred cube first? I don't know.

Then I saw my favorite filipina officemate in the cafeteria and told her about the incident. I learned that this woman is really known to be moody and rude, but when she likes somebody they're going to be the apple of her eyes.

From time to time after that we would cross paths I would just ignore her and put a small smile in my face. But a funny thing happened when Delia (the other filipina) dragged me to the accounting dept kitchen for their treat day and left me for a bit to grab something in her cube. Then behind me I heard somebody oohing-aaaahing about the foodies? Yup, the same woman. Me and her alone in one room again. No, a catfight didn't break out, we even managed a few neutral pleasantries. Life is ironic and funny at times.

What caused her change of atttitude? Dunno. Don't care.

Ooopppsssie

I just got back from Madison for the weekend. It is only now that I discovered that this entry, intended for October 1, 2005, was in a private mode the whole time. So I am publishing it now.

Currently listening to: Counting Crows' "Big Yellow Taxi"
Currently reading: Paul Burrell's "A Royal Duty"
Currently watching: Million Dollar Baby