Did I just hear that?

Today I was at W*lM*rt and I had the WEIRDEST experience. I can't wait to hear what you all have to say about it. I was at the self check out and the worker that handles those came over to Nini and put her hands on Nini's cheeks and literally put her nose against Nini's nose. Okay....don't know you, plus it is serious cold and flu season. I pulled the cart back quickly. The lady was talking to Nini and asking her how old she was and telling her how cute she is (she is that). Then she said to me, "where did you get her from?" That question threw me. I have been asked where she is from, what nationality she is, but never, "where did you get her from?" I said China, but was thinking, "does she think I got her from a store or something?" This was just the beginning of what was the MOST outrageous conversation I have ever been apart of.

She asked me her name. I told her and she said, "Thank you! It makes me so happy to hear that name." I looked at her in bewilderment. What was she talking about? Unfortunately, she let me know what she was thinking. People, this is the literal conversation.

Me: "What are you thanking me for?"
Worker: "For giving her a Chinese name. You don't know how bothered I get when people come in who have adopted Chinese kids and they give them white people's names. They name them Grace, Emily or Suzie. Do you know what I mean?"
UHHHH...no I don't know what you are talking about.
Me: "No, I don't get it. In fact, my daughter is named after my great-grandmother."
Worker: "You have Chinese blood in you?" Very confused look on her face.
Me:"No. My grandmother was English."
Worker: "And she had that name? I have never heard of a white person having a Chinese name."

By this time, I am doing everything I can to get my card in the machine and my receipt to print out.

Worker: "It just bothers me that these parents don't give their Chinese kids a Chinese name. They are not white."
Worker: "If I adopted I would give them a Chinese name. I wouldn't hide it as their middle name."
Me: "My daughter's middle name is her Chinese name."
Worker: "Yeah, but she has a Chinese first name too."
Worker: says this as she is following me to the exit. "Do you get what I mean. For example, if I adopted a black kid I would never name it Suzie or Grace, I would give it a black person's name."
Me: "Have a nice day." And I was outta there.

First, I would not have been so nice, but I could tell this lady was mentally disabled, so I wanted to be gentle and kind.

Second, I was too stunned to really think of anything clever to say.

Third, she was saying this in front of my child. A child who understands everything.

I am still thinking about it. It was very, very odd.

Here are pictures of my very, cute, American girl!

 

 

 

 

She stole the candy bar Alex had bought for his teacher's Valentine gift. Can't you see how bad she feels about it? Hee hee.