Advertisements
Advertisements
So hubby was out at the mall and he was dealing with 3 babies at the food court, and some woman came rushing over. She said "how is it that you have these brown babies?"
Hubby was extremely miffed and said "sorry, I'm really tied up here right now." In other words, get lost.
I didn't think that it was bad at all... not terminology/behavior that I would use but I think she was trying to be pc. He thought it was offensive. To me what would have been more offensive was the rushing over to ask a question when you see that someone is really busy taking care of 3 toddlers alone because you obviously can't even take your eyes off them to talk.
He gets the "are they yours?" question all the time and doesn't miss a beat. I don't know why that one bothered him. I guess he doesn't think of them as "brown babies".
Would it have bothered you?
PS I couldn't resist adding a pic of him with our baby girls. :-)
Darling picture! Personally, it would really depend the tone and atmosphere of the comment. "Brown" is definitely not the worst word around.
Advertisements
Like Grumblers, it would depend on the tone. I like that she used "brown", not sure why it strikes me as friendlier...perhaps because I use "brown" to describe Cam. :)
Yeah, if it was said distastefully with a nose wrinkle on brown or something, I would be mad. Often it's less about the words, and more about the delivery. Someone can tell me my kids are beautiful and make them sound like mud....you know?
MB80sgirl
It wouldn't bother me. I'd just say, "We adopted them."
Cute picture!
Totally agree and I would've said the same thing.
I don't say snappy/rude comments because there are many people who are very curious about our family because we are not the typical transracial family. Therefore, many people are genuinely curious and mean no harm.
Advertisements
Well, I have to disagree with most of you (except millie). I can completely see why your DH was miffed. I commend him for avoiding a verbal confrontation.
Why mention their race? Implication works well for most of us when the subject is touchy. "Are they yours?" implies, "Are those children of a different race yours?" without risking being offensive. This person should have had enough social skills to use that line of questioning.
Not a comment on the "brown" but I was reminded by your husband's story of the time my DH had my two at the pediatrician's while I was next door at my ob/gyn. One of the women looked at him with an infant and 2yr old and commended, "My husband could NEVER do that!" He was rather pleased with himself although the dr suggested he shouldn't bring them when they had to have shots again after he almost passed out! My grandkids, btw, come in many shades; we frequently have one or more of them with us but so far no one has asked where we got them...
Advertisements
My adoptive son is AA (as am I) my hubby is CC and we have a biracial daughter. So we are used to getting strange comments and looks. My hubby has a dry sense of humor so when he is out with our son and someone makes that kind of comment he will often reply with "I stole him" with a complete straight face and walk away. Or he will say something like, "what are you talking about? People say he looks just like me."
I, like others would just say he is adopted and move on. It does not bother me. I remember my duaghter at 5 had a bring your parent to school day. I will never forget what one of the little boys said when my husband and I walked in. Something like "Hey it's B's mom...and her...boyfriend?" So funny. He just could not understand that B's dad was white.
My adoptive son is AA (as am I) my hubby is CC and we have a biracial daughter. So we are used to getting strange comments and looks. My hubby has a dry sense of humor so when he is out with our son and someone makes that kind of comment he will often reply with "I stole him" with a complete straight face and walk away. Or he will say something like, "what are you talking about? People say he looks just like me."
I, like others would just say he is adopted and move on. It does not bother me. I remember my duaghter at 5 had a bring your parent to school day. I will never forget what one of the little boys said when my husband and I walked in. Something like "Hey it's B's mom...and her...boyfriend?" So funny. He just could not understand that B's dad was white.