Don't Judge a Book...or Officially one of the "Others"

In honor of Seattle gay pride weekend...this is an actual conversation I had with patrons who sat at one of my tables for dinner last evening.

They were an older couple, I'm guessing in their early 70's, pleasant, friendly, and we had fun finding her a beer to drink that she would actually enjoy. We had a few laughs and talked about the fate of our restaurant-she is an acquaintance of the owner so very comfortable giving out advice about the place. Towards the end of their visit, the girls I work with were talking about their Sunday plans.

"Why don't you want to go with us? We'll have so much fun!" asked one.

The other one replied, "Because 30 or 40,000 people is just too many people for me."

"Well, if you change your mind, call me and come with us!" she offered.

A few minutes later, I brought the couple their bill.

"Where are they talking about going that Rachel doesn't want to go?" she asked me.

"Gay Pride, in Seattle," I replied.

I wish you could have seen the look on her face. Or for that matter heard the sounds they each made, something like a guffaw, snort, and huff all combined together.

"Oooohhhhhhhh," she said.

"Well first of all, that's way too many people! And, it's those "other" people. You know, lots and lots of those "other" people," her eyes continued to roll as she finished talking.

What could I do and still remain employed? I just smiled, and just chuckled aloud. They thought I was laughing with them...ah, no.

Of course images of what I wanted to do flashed through my head quickly...use my index fingers to make devil horns and with an evil laugh say, "WE'RE EVERYWHERE!" Just use your imagination for all of the things I could have said or done, all of which would be totally inappropriate, and for a blip of a moment I considered doing it, I'm sure!

After they walked out, I told Jenna what was said...Jenna is a cute, fun-loving, intelligent college grad. She is the one who was asking about going to Gay Pride. She is straight. Definitely not narrow.

She said, "That's why I talk openly about going, so it just makes it more, ya know, normal or whatever. Helps dispel more of the ignorance."

I could have walked away upset by this couples reaction, I could've had my feelings hurt, but their opinion is not personal in any way. I mean it's not like I'm an obvious lesbian, I'm aware of that. While the people I work with know my story, it's not like I wear a pink triangle or anything. I don't feel the need to educate people who frequent our establishment, besides I just don't think it's appropriate.

I had to wonder if they would be embarrassed to know that the ring I wear on my left hand is an identical match to April's.