The Korean discount

If it is not already obvious from my prior posts, my husband is Korean. Race has never really been an issue in our relationship. We have never considered being not of the same race as a barrier in our relationship. In fact, in the past couple of years I have actually been utilizing the "race card" to my advantage.

I am not sure when I first starting doing this, but I have had several successes.

I think my biggest success was with Jae, the Korean tailor. I started going to Jae when I was pregnant and he had to take a size 18 dress and make it fit my size 2 top and my size HUMONGOUS waist. He did a great job. After the baby, I went in to tailor same pants (I'm short, this is a constant need). Then on my third or fourth visit, I brought the baby.

Both my kids looked nothing like me at birth, and in fact we such striking images of their father that it was a little depressing. I used to joke that the only reason I knew they were mine was that I pushed them out of my hoo hoo.

So, when Jae saw the baby he was, like most, confused. At some point I slipped in that she was half Korean. I already knew he was Korean, as Jae is one of the most popular Korean name.

That visit, Jae gave me a discount.

Lightbulbs went off in my head. Where else can I leverage this Korean discount?

A few months later I tried at the manicure place. They were nice to me, but no discount.

At the frame store, my husband was with me, as was the baby -- discount.

I have taken to the idea of trying it whenever applicable.

Today, I took my oldest to get a new pair of shoes. It was a chic place in Princeton, with all the European brands. The owners are a Korean American couple about my age. My oldest is very shy and not too excited about new people, and this poor guy, whom I presumed to be the owner was really trying to get her to try on some shoes. (It's important to note that at this age, my oldest no longer looks like her dad. In fact she looks very like me, but with out the Anglo features, so people are often just confused about her ethnicity.)

About ten minutes into the shoe store adventure, I realize I am probably going to buy something, so I might as well try for the discount. I start calling my daughter by her full name, and then the owner, who's trying to shove a shoe on her foot, says, "Hey thats my last name too. We must be related. Since we are related, can you put this shoe on!"

So, I gave it my best shot. When it comes to check out time, no discount, but still a worthwhile shot. Besides, its always good to support your peeps, even if it is your peeps-in-law.