“Some other kind of South American.”
Scene: At the table across from me is a lady in her early 30s and several nicely dressed old men (80+). They appear to have some kind of professional relationship.
[did not hear what led up to this admission – thankfully, I think]
Lady: Oh, no, I don’t interact with Mexicans.
Man A: Really?
Lady: No, never. Not at all.
Man A: What about in Mexican restaurants?
Lady: Actually, they aren’t usually even Mexican in Mexican restaurants. They’re some other kind of South American.
Man B: Uh… that is true, they aren’t always Mexican.
[awkward silence from the rest of the table]
Later in the meal, the young lady makes some comment about “Orientals”
Man who has to be at least 90: YOU CAN’T SAY THAT WORD ANYMORE.
Thank you for the lesson on social appropriateness, man who is old enough to have owned slaves.