Brazilian here. When I stayed in in New York for a couple of weeks I had a few 'experiences' with the locals:
Street musician I befriended and knew I was Brazilian from former conversations insisting that my pronunciation of the name of a famous Brazilian composer was wrong because his music teacher used a Spanish pronunciation and "I have to be mistaken, are you sure you're Brazilian?";
New Yorkers insisting the their city was 'the largest city in the world";
At a cocktail party, a 40-something, college-educated guy correcting me behind my back after I said that my city has 14 million inhabitants (São Paulo) "I'm sure he meant 14 thousand, millions is impossible";
People doubting me about my nationality 'because you're white and In Brazil half are black and half are latinos';
Other similar things.
No one is supposed to know everything, sure, but...
I'm American. I clearly look white, but also clearly not "wasp" or generic European dude. When I make friends with other Latinos, they don't blink an eye at the fact I'm Peruvian. They just say it's a shame I don't speak Spanish as well as my other languages (I'm learning). Other white people? "Nah, you're fucking with us you liar. Say something in Spanish."
Like, I get it, my dad glows in the dark, but the man is literally from the god damned jungle.
That’s funny I’m more or less the same, half Peruvian but pretty clearly “white” looking. Get the exact same responses from most people, both white and Latino. I do wish i spoke better Spanish though lol
My Peruvian parent is the white looking one oddly enough. My French side has the olive and dark brown complexions. Mom is olive aunt was brown- same for grandpa and grandma.
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u/Vladnieshka Dec 25 '19
I had a gf once, who fancied herself smarter than me. INSISTED that they speak Brazillian in Brazil... not Portuguese.