95,452

are we even on the map?

CONVERSATION 1

RUSSIAN GIRL: You have those weird eyes, are you thai?
Where are you from?

ME: Oh, I'm from Manila.

RUSSIAN GIRL: Manila? I haven't heard of that place at all.

ME: The Philippines? You know, South East Asia?

RUSSIAN GIRL: No, haven't heard of it.


CONVERSATION 2

CALIFORNIA GIRL: So..you're from the Philippines right?

ME: Yup.

CALIFORNIA GIRL: So..do you have your own language there?

ME (in my head): Damn! Sa tingin mo ba ganun kame ka walang
kultura na even language - a cultural aspect so basic even the
smallest communities have their own - is absent from us? grabe, do you
really think so little of us or are you just sooo ignorant...(goes on to further
irate thoughts)

ME (out loud): Uh..yeah...