My Mom Was Latina, My Dad Isn't — 10 Annoying Comments I'm Tired of Hearing

Updated on 12/14/2017 at 5:00 PM

As a multiracial woman with a Peruvian-born mom and a white American dad, I can say life can be a little bit complicated. Growing up, it definitely wasn't the "cool" thing to be multiracial, especially in small-town Oregon where I spent my high school years, so I didn't really start to embrace the Peruvian part of my identity until I got to college. And while I have always taken pride in being Latina — it certainly has come with some built-in perks, like being fluent in Spanish by preschool — the whole thing comes with its fair share of eye-roll-worthy moments. Cue that time customers at my high-school waitressing job assumed I didn't speak English because of the way I looked.

If this story sounds familiar, chances are this roundup of other annoying comments and struggles will be too. Keep scrolling for the most frustrating moments I've faced.

When People Ask Me "Where Are You From?"

Are you referring to my ethnicity? Because if you are, you're better off saying what you mean (in a more PC way than "what are you?," of course). Otherwise, I'm going to respond with my standard "Houston."

When Someone Gets Super Condescending When I Say I'm Part Latina

Have you ever been confronted by a stranger who acts like you're an alien or weird creature they've never seen before when you say you're Latina and also whatever (Irish, Italian, Scottish, whatever)? I have. Please reference high-school anecdote in the intro.

When People Say, "But Your Last Name Isn't Latino"

What is a Latino last name? And, uh, that's because my mom was Hispanic, not my dad.

When Filling Out a Form Makes Me Actually Angry

When a job or college application requests that I check only one box under race and ethnicity, and one of the choices reads "White (non-Hispanic or Latino)," what am I supposed to do? Is it the year 2016? #facepalm

When Someone Asks Which I Identify More As

I'm both! BOTH!

When Someone Immediately Assigns Me All the Latino Stereotypes They Can Think Of

Why am I expected to down anything spicy like it's a glass of water? You do know that's a stereotype, right? Please don't demand I rescind "my Latina card" when you see I can't eat hot stuff. Sigh.

When Someone Says I Don't Act "White Enough"

I'm not sure what that means. Please explain.

When Someone Says I'm Exotic

As though it's the ultimate compliment. I'm not an animal or plant!

When People Try to Guess My Heritage

Then they express vivid disappointment upon being corrected. In high school, it was black; in college, it was Jewish. Just don't try.

When People Say "You're Pretty Smart For Being Hispanic"

"Isn't it amazing?!" Eye roll. I can't. I can't.

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