Privileged lot

I positively abhor foreigners who lord it over and abuse our hospitality - but then again, maybe it's because we let them.

So there I was, patiently waiting in line at Metro Gaisano. The lines were frustratingly long, it being payday weekend and all, but one counter had a conspicuously short line. There were a few curious shoppers who sniffed around, but then, after a look at the sign above, they all meekly went elsewhere. It was an express lane designed for senior citizens, and I guess nobody wanted to pretend senior citizenship to shortcut the process.

At least, that's what I thought, until one scrawny Caucasian strode over, unloaded his groceries, and waited expectantly to be served. Bored (and impatient) shopper that I was, I kept my eye on the scene, waiting for the checkout girl to politely tell the dude that he had the wrong line. To my dismay, checkout girl started processing his stuff, and irritating electronic beeps started issuing from her reader.

Busybody, interfering me (one of my multiple personalities) immediately kicked in. I charged over to checkout girl and asked her what she was doing. My mistake was, I should have spoken to her in another language aside from English. But since I started speaking the Queen's tongue, the Caucasian dude (who turned out to be Australian) could pretty much get the drift.

That signaled the start of the First Filipino-Aussie war. However, I am glad to report to Madame President that there were no casualties, except my pride. I can't believe I actually got into a shouting match with some ill-bred foul-mouthed slacker, someone I normally avoid like the plague. But! I am also proud to report to my Commander-in-Chief that despite experiencing the urge to hit his sunburned cancer-candidate nose, (especially after he cussed me), I controlled my impulses and calmly told him it was nothing personal.

Now, what's really annoying is the guy still claimed to be entitled to senior citizen treatment. First he said he was a resident of Cebu (like it mattered), and then to prove it, he showed checkout girl some ID (which I never saw). But checkout girl had the presence of mind to call her supervisor, and so I went marching back to my own queue. Meanwhile, Aussie boy kept glowering in my direction and muttering to himself.

In my queue was an elderly Japanese gentleman. He was patiently waiting for his turn, and had no intention of posing as a citizen. He looked at me, and asked, "American?" I smiled and shook my head (too bad for my American friends, who do know how to respect local culture and don't let the "Me, cheetah - you, white-man" syndrome get into their heads).

Well, guess what? Despite my speaking up, the supervisor actually let him go express! What a humiliating defeat, not just for me, but for the entire nation! And to top it all off, guess what Aussie boy did? He had the nerve to call me a racist! Yes, me!

Racist? Moi? This coming from a white man? Hello!

Which is what I actually told him. I looked at him incredulously, and exclaimed "Hello!" However, Valley Girl sarcasm wasn't really his specialty, and so that didn't pierce his hide by any measure. But that was the foulest language I could muster (kudos to my mom for my genteel upbringing) although 'white trash' could have rolled off my mouth at some point. (Something I do not necessarily admit).

So of course my entire being was focused on Miss Supervisor. I wanted to throttle her. She was wringing her hands and saying there was nothing she could do because the grocery (according to her) had no specific regulations against white men. My finger, of course, was pointed at the huge sign above the counter that said "senior citizens," but I guess her brains couldn't function in the face of all the intimidating vibes pouring through my pores.

Well, Metro Gaisano. Here's hoping you train your employees on what it means when Republic Act 9257 says "senior citizen." It doesn't mean Australians, it means Filipinos. And why does the law do that? Obviously, to reward Filipinos for their life-long service to this country.

To be sure, it will be a disservice to them, your countrymen, if you let this thing happen again.

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