To the construction worker who attempted to steal my attention the day I wore my Levis by hollering a phrase from the language he assumed I understood but I in fact did not --

and the Uber driver with a mustache who felt dissatisfied upon hearing my “Boston” to his “where are you from” suspecting that I had lied and while yes I did lie I did it to protect myself from people like him he did not seem bothered by my obvious discomfort but continued to ask where your parents from and only stopped when I said an answer he had expected --

and the friend of my friend’s who following my introduction told me she’s been to Japan and loved the temples in a place called Kee-yoh-toe even though I’ve never been to Japan but I don’t think she knew nor cared --

and the pretty boy who swiped right because I reminded him of a character in an old Asian film but even better because I actually spoke good english and felt offended when I didn’t thank him but instead called him an ignorant fuck --

and the brunette New Englander I roomed with in boarding school who asked me if my people sneezed back home and seeing me pause she immediately followed the question with an I’m just kidding while flashing her pale white teeth and beautiful blue eyes --

Annyeonghaseyo to you, too.

I’m from China.

Yes, I love Japan.

I speak English well thank you very much.

And no,

we never, ever sneeze, so don’t bless me.