Lacking One Hundred Percent

I’m not your Korean Princess, really. I promise.

Seriously…

I’m very seriously serious.

I went out to buy a quill. After something of a conversation, do you know what the shop owner said. The same thing that everyone else assumes or states. I’ve reproduced a general conversation of the sort for you. First -

You’re part Korean (or Asia).

No. I’m not. I’m lacking one hundred percent in Asian-ness.

Your ancestors were Korean.

That’s doubtful.

You were Korean in a past life.

By this point, the conversation is on a tangental crash-course for fantasy-land. How can I negate such a statement? So, yes, yes I was. Even though, the idea goes against some of my fundamental beliefs (and I don’t mean religious). I’ll accept it. Yes, I was Korean. I was a princess of Silla, an heiress of that ancient kingdom. Look, that’s my crown, in the photo. heh.

I realize that the gentleman was complementing me. But, I’ve had that conversation more than twenty-two times. It’s troubling. I know something of Korean politics and I can rattle off a few poorly crafted sentences and thus, I absolutely must! have a Korean ancestor? That’s terrible. Terrible. G-R-O-S-S.

For diplomatic reasons, it’s important to learn about others’ cultures and if the only ones who can possibly bridge cultural gaps are those who were ____ in their past lives… Well, then…