Yesterday a couple from Washington DC was keen on buying an owl beanie for one of their grandchildren.
The woman asked if it had been made in Africa. Yes, ma’am, I replied, It was made by me. I indicated to the half-finished owl beanie I was making on the table next to me, as proof that I do indeed do all the making myself. But you’re not African, she said, I mean, how African is this really? [Take a deep breath, Jill.]
Well, I said, I’ve lived in South Africa for forty-four years, I own property here, I pay rates and taxes, I love biltong and bunny chow, I only use locally-manufactured cotton and it’s also hand-dyed in Cape Town by South Africans, and I can say “I made it myself” in Venda, Xhosa, Sotho, Ndebele, Afrikaans, Shona and Zulu. That African enough for you, lady? Okay, I didn’t actually voice the last question, but I think she heard it anyway, kubwa na ya wazi / hard en duidelik!
Back soon x
Nice piece of work 
Jill, you are a multi-lingual marvel. Wish we could hear the stories your customer will tell her family about the Africans in Cape Town and especially about the one who made the beanie.xxx
Maybe she would have been happier if I’d still had my braids in
then you would look more “authentic” LOL!!!!
Lol! Really like the “I love biltong and bunny chow” bit. Stupid woman!
heh
Lol!
So did she buy it ???
Yes.
:-)
As Bugs would say “what a maroon!” :)
Ja! That is a problem! Why do people think you not African because you not black the thing is I’m as African as can be! Its like saying you not American because you not a Red Indian!
How bizarre!
It’s like racism in reverse. Or… just plain racism. :-(
People are rather silly. I still remember some gal squealing over a dreamcatcher made by a “real Lakota Indian”. It made me laugh, as if being Indian (Lakota here myself) gives one magical properties. On the other hand, an owlie hat isn’t necessarily a traditional African hat, but made in Africa, from African materials… it most assuredly is. I love your owlie hats!
You obviously need to have black skin and ‘ethnic’ designs to be African just like some people think you have to be white to be English – Crazy in these modern times. :-(
Hi Jill! It makes my heart hurt to know that person from Washington DC was so ignorant and rude to you. I’m glad you set her straight and I’m glad she purchased the adorable owl hat. Love and Hugs, Tamara
Maybe what she was trying to get at is whether it was made in a sweatshop in China or Vietnam or not, and it kind of came out funny! Funny ignorant, not funny haha. Heh :-)
Hahaha, I love your response!! You must be meeting some very interesting people at the moment :D
You were too kind to her. What a pig she was! Kind of makes me embarrassed to be from the USA. Actually, hell, I am ALWAYS embarrassed to be from the USA. The ‘land of plenty of idiots’ Swear to God I was born on the wrong continent. And possibly the wrong decade. Can I get a do-over cause I’m sure I’d LOVE to be African or British or Chinese or ANYTHING but a stupid American. Everybody else is much kinder and smarter and tolerant, it’s no wonder we are laughed at in general. A bunch of overgrown self-centered uneducated children over here on this continent. Can ya tell that her comments really chapped my ass? End of rant. Sorry to go on like that. You should have tripled the price just for her ;)
Okay, Lisa, don’t hold back, tell me how you really feel!
oh! my, she was a difficult lady! :-)
Well now you are oficially famous :-) and your beanies are all adorable…
Oh dear, what a silly!
Ah yes, I know that mindset. As an Australian, the assumption is that we all have kangaroos in the back yard, spend every meal around the barbie and wear hats with corks bobbing around the brim… I love your little owlie beanie – mooi en practig!
You mean you wear hats WITHOUT corks? :-)
Jij ook…?
:-)