8/8/09-5 interactions

“Girl, I love your hair!* I wish I could do that.” African-American female, late teens, street outside my building.
Me: “It’s not that hard. You just have to watch how long you leave the bleach on, then condition it.”
F: “I know, I got a cousin who does hair, but I’m going in the service so I can’t do anything to it.”
Me: “That sucks. Well, maybe when you’re on leave or something?”
F: “Yeah…I could do that.”
Me: “Well, have a good day.”
Male companion (as I’m walking away). “Nice tattoos!”
F: “Girl, I didn’t even see you all tatted up!”
Me: “Yep, I do that too.”
M: “Did you go to the tattoo convention?” Me: “No, I’m not crazy about conventions. Did you?”
M: “Yeah, it was sweet, but I didn’t get anything. I’m going to Mastermind down on Clark. A guy there’s gonna hook me up with a half sleeve and then a yin-yang here,” (gestures to crook of elbow).
Me: (laughing) “Have fun with that. Right there really sucks.”
M: “Yeah, I’ve heard.”
Me: “Well, I gotta get going, but I’ll see you guys around. Keep me posted.”



“Girl, your hair’s so pretty I’m about to come over there and eat it!” African-American male, mid/late 40’s, street.
Me (from across street) “Please don’t! You’ll get hairballs!”
M & male companion laugh, muffled conversation followed, of which I heard “girl” and “tattoos.” **

“That’s some colorful ink.” African-American male, indeterminate age (40’s? 50’s?) outside produce market.
Me: “It sure is; you have a nice day now.”


“Oooooh, BIG TATTOO!” African-American male, no older than 10, on street, pointing.
Me: (smiling)
M: to younger child: “That’s called a sleeve!”
Me: “Very good! That’s exactly what it is!” (Smiles at kids and mother).

*Initially I wasn’t sure whether to include comments about hair, since it’s a mutable characteristic, but I’ve decided to if they lead to inquiries/comments about permanent modifications.

** After this interaction, I thought “Ok, today I learned a young woman can’t dye her hair because she’s going to war, and a man just said he wants to eat my head…I don’t think I want to do this.” Then I realized I already do it, it happens regardless if I want it to or not, the only difference between now and last week is that I’m listening; even if I stopped the project, I don’t think I could stop listening. Dammit.