Racism is alive and well in New Zealand.

[randomness]

Just before midnight, Saturday night, lots of kids cruising in their rice burners. I looked at a cheesy-looking white Honda a little too long, I suppose, and one of the white guys inside shouted, "This isn't your country, what are you doing here?"

One never gets the quick response out in time. In this case, I should have shouted, "Visiting!" in a clear, loud, American accent.

Unfortunately, it took me too long to figure out whether I should be offended. I mean, he was right. This isn't my country. On behalf of Chinese-New Zealanders I flipped the guy the bird.

Comments

[digitalemur.livejournal.com]

You're not the first person I've heard say that about Boston. I don't get why, is it just the "you're not from these parts" attitude New Englanders are known for?

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Two illustrative words:

Boston. Busing.

It was a long time ago, but the "this is our place, you don't belong here, get out" attitude lives on. It's the dark side of having a local sense of place.