Oh Sweet Stereotypes

I am not against stereotypes. A lot of people write off stereotypes as being false, racist, mean-hearted, or a waste of time. Though they may not always be flattering, stereotypes can many times be grounded in some snippet of truth or reality. The valley girl stereotype exists because, like, there are, like, totally people who, you know, act like that, right? Yesterday I was stereotyped in an innocuous way, but reminded me how many of our interactions and assumptions are based on these tricksy things called stereotypes.

I was in the elevator heading out for my lunch break. Ran into one of the executives who offices on my floor (eleven if you must know), he asked:
Exec: Where are you headed for lunch?
Moi: Actually I'm going to finish some more X'mas shopping. I really don't want to shop
the week of X'mas. Actually I just don't really like shopping.
Exec: (As he exits the elevator) Really? But you look so much like a woman.

Sidenote: I would like to pose a question to my lovely non-Texan readers, would that statement be made in Chicago? New York City? San Francisco? I'm really not sure any more because I have been re-immersed in Texas culture for 5 years.

I have lived a blessed life and had never personally felt the racial side of stereotyping until I lived in rural Mississippi. Before the school year even began, there were parents who tried to get their children out of my class based on my whiteness. I was called Cracker and the principal (remember spell it with an "a" because she's your "pal") told me to my face I would fail because I was white, talked to fast, and came from up North. Not the smoothest of beginnings. I understood why this community held such a negative stereotype of White People, but it made me sad to be lumped in.

Here's one final stereotype encounter: I wear scarves to work, many of which are brightly colored. In this conservative corner of the world, that is enough to have me labeled Artsy Bohemian. I don't mind being lumped in under these stereotypes especially because it means I can get away with more. Case in point. One day I was at work all day and then at a work function that night and no one mentioned to me that I was wearing two completely different earrings. When I realized my gaff I had a sneaky suspicion. The next day I asked my colleagues if they had even noticed -- one said no, the other confirmed my suspicion. "Well, sure I noticed, but I just thought it was a fashion choice..." Because of my status under the heading of Bohemian I don't even need to match. Awesome! Thanks stereotypes (this time)!