If I Were a Boy…

“Is that little Chinese boy going to make my drink?”

So, yeah, a customer at Starbucks asked another barista this. I was walking away from him while he was paying. I stopped and it took everything I had not to turn around and be like, “Seriously?” The man was older, probably in his late 70’s. Him pointing out that I was Chinese was a generation thing. At least that’s what I told myself. I didn’t turn around so I’m not sure what his response was when the overwhelmingly embarrassed barista that was ringing him up said, “That’s Kari. She’s a girl.”

Last night I went out to the club I am pretty much a regular at. It’s a little hole-in-the-wall strip club named Sunset Strip Club. It’s very small. There are 2 stages and usually on the weekends when I go, there are no more than 5 dancers working at one time. I like it. It’s usually not really slammed-packed busy but there are enough people to do some good people watching. I usually go to see my friend Megan. She’s the bartender there and I like to sit and chat with her. I met Megan at Starbucks where she was a regular. We started talking and she said she bartended at a club called The Runway. It wasn’t far from Yahoo so Sean, Matt and I would go over there for dinner sometimes after work. After going a couple of times I started sitting at the bar and chatting with her. She’s super cool. Very down-to-earth and outgoing. I was sad when she told me she was leaving and going to Sunset Strip Club in Beaverton. Turned out that Sunset was actually closer to my house and right across from the street where Matt and Jesy went frequently. I go to visit and actually forget that there are naked girls dancing right behind me.

Anyways, there was a fundraiser there last night. It was packed! There wasn’t an open parking spot available. I always Lyft there, so it didn’t bother me. I haven’t seen it that busy maybe ever. I wasn’t planning on so many people being out because it was a Thursday night. I was wrong!

I didn’t feel like getting all dressed up to go out that night. I was going by myself and jeans and my Converse sounded pretty comfy. I wore a black v-neck shirt (big surprise) and jeans. I of course was dripping with my shiny silver jewelry as well. I put on a puffy vest that has a grey sweatshirt material hood on it. I got to the club and for some reason, as I was getting out of the Lyft, I felt like I looked like a guy. I wasn’t too worried about it. The thought just crossed my mind.

I got inside and found a couple of other guys that are always there. We were saying hello and I said, “I feel like I look like a dude right now.” It was just a joke and I was taking off the vest that was the icing on the cake of the dude-looking outfit. I was pretty much wearing the same outfit that I wear every time I go there. Jeans and a black shirt, just without heels this time. There was a tall guy standing around 3 people over from me that I hadn’t really acknowledged yet. I was busy trying to figure out where to put my vest. While I was getting situated at the bar I happened to make eye contact with him for the first time. He was kind enough to nod his head and say, “Yeah you do” back at me. I usually laugh it off when something like that happens, but for some reason, this stranger telling me that was kinda annoying. Turned out he was kinda a pompous asshole so I didn’t really let it phase me. But, it was just another dude comment that I was lucky enough to be able to add to the long list of comments.

I don’t feel like I usually look like a guy. I always wear jewelry. ALWAYS! I am super self-conscious about it if I don’t. Then I really do feel like I could very possibly be mistaken as a guy. I have boobs and high cheekbones that I don’t feel are a characteristic that guys usually have. Maybe it’s a quick look out of the corner of people's eyes thing? When I leave the apartment, me wondering if I look too masculine rarely crosses my mind. It’s not like it’s a concern I dwell on and wonder about each time I go out. I am conscious of it though and just when I haven’t thought about my “You’re a dude” incidents, here comes another super attentive complete stranger that feels the need to comment. It’s funny and reaffirms that people are idiot assholes.

Next
Next

Enter Karen at Starbucks