Close! I’m Actually From Colorado
It’s a small city west of Beijing, but like, way west.
March 2, 2021
By: John Hedrick
One time a group of three men reserved a table for the Ravens game and I was their server. Surprisingly, the conversations we had were incredibly interesting and in depth. They would ask me things like “Are you from the southern part of China?” and I would respond with “Close! I’m actually from a small town called Boulder, Colorado.” To which they would respond with, “Oh wow, so you’ve got some Native American in you.” And to be honest, it was eye opening because I didn’t know that Native Americans used to live in Colorado! These men presented a truly humbling experience.
As a Chinese woman in the service industry, I have no idea why other women of color keep talking about microaggressions and toxic middle aged white men. How could they be toxic if they’re tipping 10%? The only experiences I’ve had as a waitress at Steven’s Pub have been nothing but absolutely pleasant. Customers approach me everyday with compliments like “Wow! I can barely hear your accent” or “you look great working somewhere other than your parent’s restaurant!” And to be honest, it’s the polite quips like these that motivate me to work 12 hour shifts every weekend.
However, I want to emphasize that I have had pleasant experiences with women as well. Most women will compliment my hair asking what shampoo I use to make it so thick. I earnestly tell them that it’s just Head and Shoulders! My favorite and most frequent conversation I have with women is about my name. White women tend to have such a deep curiosity about it and I think it’s because I go by Kat Yang. They always ask, “What is your Asian name though?” and I always tell them it’s really hard to pronounce but they always insist. I tell them it’s “Kath-er-ine.” I’m open to any nicknames too. The best one I’ve heard is “Hello Kitty” because my name sounds like a household pet!
Anyways, the minorities who keep talking about microaggressions simply do not know what they’re talking about, and I’m the living evidence. If any of them end up reading this, I just want to say that you are loved and that sometimes pain exists because you seek it out.
From your favorite exotic waitress,
Kat Yang
