Here’s a trio of notes from California that each make me very uncomfortable…and not just because of the painful lack of irony.
First up: an excerpt from seating guidelines posted at the quaint little Mexican restaurant in Huntington Beach where Brynn used to waitress. So quaint, Brynn says, “They also posted a dress code rule that ladies must wear makeup and skirts could not be below the knee.”
Meanwhile, a little farther south, a construction worker left this note for James in San Diego…while he was parked in front of his own house.
And the last word goes to this bit of social commentary, which Jen spotted on the window of a soon-to-be-opened restaurant in San Francisco.
related: Je comprends…moi non plus
extra credit: ¡Ask a Mexican!® [ocweekly.com]
217 responses so far ↓
#1
claw71
1. What are those Mexicans waiting for? Applications?
2. I would say that if that truck belongs to a Mexican they’re probably cutting your grass but given the white trashy handwriting and grammatical errors I’d have to assume that this is a trailer park with a dirt lot. And you thought you’d never need apostrophes when you dropped out for fourth grade…
3. I love that note at the bottom but the break in the “o” makes me wonder….does Tom Cruise have xenuphobia?
Unfortunately bigots and racist don’t usually know what xenophobia is.
Mar 24, 2008 at 9:08 pm rating: +24
#2
bamBAM!!
If the sign telling one to speak English is directed at those who don’t speak English, wouldn’t it be more helpful to, perhaps, make a new sign that tells one to habla inglés?
Mar 24, 2008 at 9:17 pm rating: +25
#3
bamBAM!!
Morda a me!!
Mar 24, 2008 at 9:18 pm rating: 0
#4
Canthz_B
Shouldn’t the “Bite me” comment have been in some language other than English?
ouch, really close to #2.
Mar 24, 2008 at 9:19 pm rating: +1
#5
Canthz_B
Mexican people don’t like to wait?
You should see my local Home Depot!!!
i kid the mexicans, i kid!!
Mar 24, 2008 at 9:21 pm rating: +2
#6
bamBAM!!
Soo, if I’m making a reservation at a restaurant, I’ll get special treatment if I say my name is Jose Hernandez??
Mar 24, 2008 at 9:21 pm rating: +4
#7
bamBAM!!
Would a Mexican know how to park in America? Probably not, so maybe the owner of that unfortunate handwriting should learn Spanish, then teach the fellow how to park his fucking truck.
Mar 24, 2008 at 9:26 pm rating: 0
#8
Canthz_B
Just how much room does this rube’s asshole need?
Mar 24, 2008 at 9:27 pm rating: 0
#9 anthro.pophago.us snippets of media, anthropology, design, culture and politics.
[...] it’s not a race (it’s a social construct) [...]
Mar 24, 2008 at 9:46 pm rating: 0
#10
darwinfox
Yeah, that ‘Speak English’ tag is all over San Francisco. Witty retorts seem to follow it like a plague too.
Mar 24, 2008 at 10:37 pm rating: 0
#11
...
that xenophobe was fucking delicious
Mar 24, 2008 at 11:24 pm rating: +2
#12
J. Ust a Doc
“Lots of languages to choose before you get to Z. SF has a large Chinatown, does it not?”
OK, not to be too racial profiling – how many Chinese people do you know that drive really big trucks? I would have to say “zero,” and I know a lot of Chinese descended Americans.
Mar 25, 2008 at 12:35 am rating: 0
#13
Set To Evil
O’ wait! you can’t Fuckin spell!
Mar 25, 2008 at 12:50 am rating: +2
#14
Set To Evil
I live in a Mexican neighborhood in Los Angeles (called Los Angeles) Some of my neighbors have have a lot of cars and they always manage to park them so close together they can fit twice as many on the block. So I think the Dipshit from the second note is way off. It was probably an Asian. We all know they can’t drive! I kid I Kid!
Mar 25, 2008 at 12:59 am rating: +2
#15
known unknown
*scrolls through comments*
hmmm…
so I’m guessing, much like all cognacs are brandies but all brandies aren’t cognacs – all xenophobes are bigots but all bigots aren’t xenophobes?
or does the addition of a smiley or an “I keed” negate the affiliation altogether?
*shrugs*
okey doke.
Mar 25, 2008 at 2:59 am rating: +10
#16
Beanorse Noches
I don liek to wate, no! I seet mysefl on jor job and fock hyore mathar! Hieeee! Mi hermano!
Soon all of your “America” will be naught but an annex of the lazy brown grease stain that is May hee co! Ha ha! America, we’ve got you by the balls with our filthy, brown little fists! Ha ha! Keep your jobs! We want your SOCIAL PROGRAMS! Ha ha haaaa!
Mar 25, 2008 at 3:02 am rating: +5
#17
leelou
I’m agreeing with Known Unknown: I’m totally more uncomfortable by some of the comments *here* than by the original notes.
Guys, I know I’m a little new to commenting on the site here, so I can’t always tell who’s joking, but it’s one thing to hilariously render a kitchen sign about Garfield and an entirely other thing to take cheap digs at an entire nationality of people. You’re way funnier when you’re picking on individuals instead of ethnic groups.
Just sayin’ (and so ends my own passive aggressive rant at strangers).
xoxo,
the Kettle
Mar 25, 2008 at 6:13 am rating: +10
#18
claw71
I think the guy in note 2 was pissed because he had to park a block up the street which happens to be the black neighborhood. Might as well give your car away.
But I’ve got to be fair. I parked in a Jewish neighborhood one time and they refinanced my loan. The terms were not good. Not good at all. And I still smell like Kasha.
Mar 25, 2008 at 6:16 am rating: +11
#19
geoff
I love enchiladas.
Seriously. They are good.
Mar 25, 2008 at 6:56 am rating: +3
#20
aliastaken
Who does like to wait?
Mar 25, 2008 at 8:17 am rating: +2
#21
Writer Rejected
Caramba–a PAN festival of racist remarks.
Mar 25, 2008 at 8:18 am rating: +3
#22
claw71
Hey! How many Mexicans does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Just one, but they work so cheap you might as well bring two more along to trim the hedges and clean the gutters. Then, when it comes time to pay just yell MEEE-GRA and watch them run.
The question you’ve got to ask, if you’re among the overly-sesntive members in our discussion, is whether this crude joke was intended to be offensive to Mexican-Americans or if I was making a satirical comment about our society in general.
Given the context of these comments, I wouldn’t be so quick to cast aspersions on the commentors here.
Mar 25, 2008 at 8:20 am rating: +9
#23
bellabeastie
Note 1 — “Don’t overseat”. How would that happen?? I’m confused. If all the seats are full does the note mean to not seat people on top of people who already have a seat? Even if they don’t like to wait?
Team Don’t Make Me Wait in No Line and Keep My Seat to Myself
Mar 25, 2008 at 8:25 am rating: +3
#24
Katzndogz
Sharpie should come out with some new advertising:
“Because you never know when you’ll need to leave a PA comment somewhere around town.”
Mar 25, 2008 at 8:34 am rating: +4
#25
claw71
John Lennon, ladies and gentlemen:
Imagine there’s no waiting
it’s easy if you try
No Mexicans are seated
ahead of the drinking guy
Imagine all the people
getting instant seats
Imagine there’s free parking
behind the rusty van
plenty of space to pull in
it’s in the city plan
Imagine all the people
parking on the streets
You may say I’m a bigot
because I make some stupid jokes
But you should know I’m only kidding
and I see the world as blokes
Imagine there’s one language
I guess it should be Chinese
Billions of them speak it
But Hunan or Cantonese?
Imagine all the people
Jing jong bing so pow
You may say I’m a bigot
but I’m only having fun
I think you’re being a dickhead
so ease up and don’t be dumb.
Mar 25, 2008 at 8:43 am rating: +14
#26
GhostWriter
George Lopez’s and Carlos Mencia’s families enter the restaurant at the same time. Both Mexican-Americans, both VIPs. …and only one booth left. Time is ticking away; what should plucky Maitre’ de Janeele do?
Answer: Free beers for the Lopez family! Now they’ll happily wait at the bar, finishing their drinks, until the next booth opens.
Mar 25, 2008 at 8:54 am rating: +1
#27
claw71
La Vida Loca, everybody…
Pulled in, to the Red Lobster
crab night for one and all
long line, but I’ve got brown skin
Don’t have to wait, don’t have to call
At home I take up two spots
Don’t care you get angry
Leave a note but I won’t read it
Silly gringo, I’m a beaner
I comprende when it’s good for me
I’m sleeping with your white wife when you’re working at your job
And when I need some money it’s your mother that I rob
You stupid gringo slop!
Put up stupid signs, I still get to stuff my boca
Your wife likes mi pinga, I stick right in her boca
That smell you smell right now…taking another toke-ah
Your daughter smokes it too, it makes her go loca
Maybe I’ll get her coca
Then I’ll go get some mocha
Mar 25, 2008 at 9:15 am rating: +4
#28
GhostWriter
(warning: non-witty)
…and please hold your comments that a warning is unneeded.
What characterizes a racist? Television character Archie Bunker was a racist, but the actor portraying him, Carroll O’Conner, was not. So there is some leeway in presenting racist commentary under an assumed persona, and not earning the “racist” title.
And comedic commentary has always been given a relatively free pass, under the guise of “freedom of expression.” What is laughter anyway, but an uncontrolled outburst shouting, Hey! That is Not Right!!”
It comes down to one’s personal judgment of what exactly is not “right.” Are you laughing because a stereotypical exaggeration is absurd, or because you feel the characterization is spot on, and the accused race shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it? Do you laugh at Dumb Blonde jokes because you know that most blondes are not dumb, or because you think it’s unfair that they are allowed to be dumb?
One particular stereotype that irks me is the concept that, “Mexicans work hard for little pay.” This hurts in two ways. First, who really wants to be know as the guy working the hardest for the least money? Go into a job interview with that on your resume, and you might get a job, but you also get the lowest salary.
Second, I see this stereotype as a dodge that justifies paying Mexicans meager salaries. “Why should I pay them minimum wage? They’re Mexicans, and we all know they’ll work hard for almost nothing.”
“The folly of Capitalism is that the most desperate feel the deepest bite of supply and demand.” – GhostWriter
Mar 25, 2008 at 9:33 am rating: +4
#29
claw71
I think it’s rather telling that the most highly rated posts are within a thread that takes an uncalled for shot at Tom Cruise and Scientology.
Ten bucks says this site goes off line by end of business today and that Wade and I die mysteriously in our sleep tonight.
Mar 25, 2008 at 9:34 am rating: +19
#30
Centaurea
So the “it’s not a RACE to get everyone seated immediately” is a pun, right?
Right?
Mar 25, 2008 at 9:57 am rating: +1
#31
Quite Contrary
Wow. I mean wow. Aren’t all of these notes things that someone might think but actually should not say out loud or, even worse, put down in writing on paper so others can take photos and share with even more others so (hopefully) the authors can be humilated by the fact that they wrote it down in the first place?
Mar 25, 2008 at 11:11 am rating: 0
#32
unholyghost2003
QUESTION: ummm maybe I have missed something but when spotting a big ol’ truck parked all kittywampus isn’t that the time to cast aspersions on the owner’s penis size? This whole Mexican thing is new to me.
Mar 25, 2008 at 11:30 am rating: +4
#33
Heidi
Well I’m Mexican and I perfer a table AND I am uaually pretty paitent.
Mar 25, 2008 at 11:59 am rating: +2
#34
Karen
I just thought by now Brynn would pop in and let us (actually me) know which Mexican restaurant in Huntington Bch is the “quaint” one. This is my city for 40 years – I think I know all the Mexican restaurants here (and Italian, steakhouse, seafood, japanese …. oh my). The skirts at Don Jose’s are pretty short, maybe that’s the one.
And I enjoy drinking in the bar so much, I don’t need a stinkin’ table.
Mar 25, 2008 at 12:17 pm rating: 0
#35
secondsout
Do they really think that a lot of VIPs are going to frequent a shitty little Mexican restaurant where the waitresses are required to wear short skirts.
And does this restaurant have uncomfortable tables? Fuck that! If your tables suck, get new ones, you fleabag.
Mar 25, 2008 at 1:50 pm rating: 0
#36
Rebecca
I loved this site until I read the comment on this post. As a reader who has even had a note published here, I’m torn about leaving, but these folks are too cruel and ignorant for my taste. The reply to comment 17 just hurts. Leeloo, don’t feel bullied!
Mar 25, 2008 at 2:42 pm rating: +3
#37
bellabeastie
I’m kind of new here, myself. But if you can’t take the heat.. see ya. There is a particular brand of snarkiness and sarcasm. Sometimes some love. Not a lot. But that’s what your girlfriends are for.
Oh, and make sure you check that punctuation!! Cuz you will get busted for that !!
(and exclamation points). We’ll just let that go for now…. (along with elipses…………..)
I am so tempted to say something so inappropriate to our little sensitive reader. But I’ll just let her go in peace. I know there are kittens and bunnies somewhere that don’t talk back.
Team Save It For Later
Mar 25, 2008 at 3:32 pm rating: +3
#38
mamason
I think most racial humor is hilarious. Unless, of course, it’s aimed at white people. Then, I just don’t get it.
And as a woman of the female persuassion, my hope, when I enter a restaurant, is that there will be some tables to clean and dishes to wash, but everytime I find some Mexican already cleaning up. Putas!
Mar 25, 2008 at 3:38 pm rating: +8
#39
EvilTwin
I love how everyone’s assumption is that the first note is written by a racist white manager. Is there any evidence that it wasn’t written by a Mexican-American manager, who is speaking out of some perceived personal knowledge of the culture? No. I work with groups of people from all races and countries. Frankly, they are more likely to make fun of their own ethnic groups, than to say something about another. At least at work they are. So let’s not assume that the white devil is behind every statement about race.
Mar 25, 2008 at 3:53 pm rating: +1
#40
Balti
My rule for racist and misogynist humor is that it actually has to be funny if it’s going to fly. If you’re just rehashing stereotypes, you’re not funny _and_ you’re an asshole. A couple of you guys (claw and ghostwriter in particular) are funny and/or thoughtful, but a lot of the rest of you— appalling. Seriously. I was enjoying this site till today, and now I’m pretty turned off. For those of you who will now scornfully tell me good riddance because I ‘can’t take the heat’, enjoy your little club. Snarkiness and sarcasm are one thing, but you guys are just being nasty.
I’m just saying.
Mar 25, 2008 at 4:17 pm rating: +4
#41
mamason
Ummm… I think that the first note is written in code. “Mexican people prefer a booth…” It really means, “Tell all Mexican’s that we only have tables available.”
“Mexican people don’t like to wait- don’t tell them how long the wait is”, translates as, “Tell all Mexican people that the wait is 3 hours.”
Mar 25, 2008 at 4:42 pm rating: +2
#42
GhostWriter
Nobody Leaves!
Tomorrow there will be a new note, making fun of people who personally chose their own idiosyncrasies.
Trust me- it’ll be hilarious! Claw’s gonna write a song about office workers who won’t make coffee, to the tune of “Drops of Jupiter” and Canthz B is gonna point out that the note can be interpreted to mean, “Donuts are in the fridge!” bamBAM’s gonna mention how some people give themselves coffee enemas, and Mishee and Mamason will compare cup size (coffee cups, ladies).
Then UnHolyGhost2003 will attempt to swing the thread towards the tangential causes of the Civil War, but it’ll be too late! Someone will pull lines from Star Trek that appropriately fit the situation, and Leeloo will return to add, “…now THAT’S what I like about this site…”
You Just Wait…
Mar 25, 2008 at 4:47 pm rating: +11
#43
Open English
I love the very last one, then again, I love it when anyone uses the phrase “bite me”.
Mar 25, 2008 at 6:24 pm rating: 0
#44
Canthz_B
I’m confused.
Do Mexicans in the bar mind waiting or not?
Do people who have children have to bring them along to be seated ASAP?
What in Heaven do we do with Mexican parents in the bar?
Do I put a Mexican VIP at a table or in a booth?
Hey, Boss…you started it!
Mar 25, 2008 at 10:24 pm rating: +2
#45
claw71
Has anybody noticed that our predominantly white society’s tolerance of ethnic pride seems to fade as the skin tone of the ethnic group darkens?
Why is it OK for Irish to wave their flags around on March 17th but not OK for mexican Americans to do the same on Cinco de Mayo?
Why is it cool for Italians to form social clubs (most cities have an Italian mens club) but off limits for black folks to celebrate their African heritage? I could run arounf town with a “Wrestle me, I’m Greek” button on and people will accpet me but if my black friend expresses pride in being black somebody will tell him to go back to Africa.
And lets not forget about Asians. We have entire communities in our major cities that don’t speak a lick of English but yet nobody seems to get angry with the notion of China Town.
Pick an ethnicity. If they’re white they get away with ethnic pride because it’s part of their “culture” but if they happen to be black or brown…
And what’s funny is that a full third of this country has hispanic roots. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas…the United States absorbed half of Mexico and granted the hispanic people already living there instant citizenship.
The ironic thing is that the black and brown people have been here much longer than most the whites. Still, they are the outsiders. It’s something to think about.
Mar 26, 2008 at 7:18 am rating: +9
#46
Mishee
known, to quote myself “I don’t have a problem with others celebrating their heritage here, but when it gets to the point where we can’t celebrate anything, even the holidays that are ones that came with the founding of this country – all from different places also…”
claw, it’s the rule at the school she goes to apparently – my BFF was bitching about it last week and wanted me to help her draft a letter to the school board or something. She is in the minority at her school, mostly latino and aisan kids, so I guess an Irish Holiday would offend… whatever!!
Mar 26, 2008 at 9:45 am rating: +1
#47
morpho aurora
assumptions can be good
i usually assume people are trying to be humorous instead of deliberately offensive
Mar 26, 2008 at 9:53 am rating: +3
#48
anonymous
claw71, it is interesting to read your opinions, but i hope you realize that it is not the majority opinion in the us. you must live in an area that shares you views though. i would be embarrassed to say the things you do about others. a quick visit to your blog shows us that the comments you made on this page are not jokes, but your honest opinions of minorities that you hide with humor.
Mar 26, 2008 at 4:07 pm rating: 0
#49
honeyedhemlock
Why can’t we all, (insert dramatic sob here), just get along?
Mar 26, 2008 at 8:29 pm rating: 0
#50
zoe
I love love love anyone who graffiti-s things with words like xenophobe.
Mar 30, 2008 at 4:34 pm rating: 0
#51
DH
These three notes are truly awful. I want to know how they are going to determine, in this multi-cultural world that we live in, who is “Mexican”? SMDH
Apr 3, 2008 at 3:48 pm rating: 0
#52
Cady
What’s the deal with the “Mexican people prefer booths” and “Mexican people don’t like to wait”? I’m white, native-born American, and I prefer booths, and I don’t like to wait. WTF?
Apr 13, 2008 at 6:17 pm rating: +2
#53
Brynn
So the name if the restaurant is Avilas El Ranchito off main street next door to Fig’s Surf shop. It’s owned by Sergio Avila.
Apr 14, 2008 at 6:17 pm rating: 0
#54
Brynn
And the note was written by the owner who is Mexican, That’s the best part about it. And there are NO booths in the entire place only tables.
Apr 14, 2008 at 6:23 pm rating: 0
#55
Mark
Hey genius Shanghai Johnny P…
“You know,unless your Great Great Great Grandfather was Quanah Parker;Geronimo;Crazy horse;Pontiac or Osceola;you really can’t say too much about Illegal Immigration!!
I’m sure that the Iriquois;Choctaw;Navajo and
Souix Nations have a thing or two to say about Illegal Immigration!!”
There was no such thing as illegal immigration. Illegal implies breaking a law. There were no laws existing at the time to break. Moron.
Apr 14, 2008 at 6:47 pm rating: +2
#56
tone
i’d like that racist bitch to come say that to my face.
Jul 12, 2008 at 4:44 pm rating: 0
#57
bobby
This breaks my heart, but was cushioned by the intro. Thank you for softening the blow.
Jul 23, 2008 at 1:49 pm rating: 0
#58 america the not-so-beautiful
[...] related: it’s not a race (it’s a social construct) [...]
Jan 19, 2009 at 9:26 pm rating: 0
#59
Restaurant Hostess
That restaurant has shitty rules for seating people. Not just the whole racist part, just the whole thing. Just… What the hell.
Mar 15, 2009 at 2:39 am rating: 0
#60 your hamster died? well, i can top that.
[...] related: it’s not a race (it’s a social construct) [...]
Apr 14, 2009 at 12:20 pm rating: 0
#61
oyvey
No, I’m not going to “move somewhere else” if I don’t like what is happening in the U.S.A. Unlike many people coming HERE, I stay in my country to fix its problems instead of bringing all my baggage – drugs, kids I can’t handle, violence – into the country.
Apr 14, 2009 at 5:20 pm rating: 0
#62 for mr. korean
[...] related: it’s not a race (it’s a social construct) [...]
Apr 29, 2009 at 9:00 am rating: 0
#63
jason
Expecting people to speak in English in America does not make one a xenophobe.
May 3, 2009 at 1:47 pm rating: 0
#64
InYourSleep
**this is not racist—i like mexican people. But really- they equal VIP?**
Sep 27, 2009 at 6:27 pm rating: 0
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