Photo Courtesy of Victoria Hoffman
For instance, the time in my mid-20s, when I wore hip-length knotless box braids to work, we might as well have called an emergency company meeting about it. But this new office was trendy and fashionable! We could wear stylish sneakers and bright nails. People here, yet when I walked by my boss one morning, I immediately recognized her quizzical facial expression.
How do I wash my hair? I’m happy to answer; that’s a work-appropriate question! Sometimes Windex, sometimes Fantastico; it depends on my mood. Past that, it’s just a regular blow dry job... using my white boyfriend’s hot breath, that is. I’d try to explain that chlorine makes my hair “break,” which caused confusion and hysteria every time the question was asked, coincidentally, every time we were at the pool. When I rerouted their stumpers to my mother, she’d say, “Well, did you ask why their hair doesn’t break?” Good question! Never came up.
My advice to those wondering how to act right is to simply not make it weird. I think a question or two is finebut much like every other human interaction you’ve had in your life, no ogling or touching is allowed. Just pretend I’m a regular person!