Chau’s first job is working in a grocery store. He started last summer as a 17-year-old courtesy clerk, working during his senior year of high school to save up money for college. His ethnicity is Vietnamese and although he doesn’t really speak the language he also isn’t familiar with the culture’s history.
An older white man wearing a black Vietnam veteran’s hat and dark shades comes into the checkout line. Chau is bagging for me when the man asks what nationality he is.
Courtesy Clerk Chau: Vietnamese…
The Vet: See this hat, what does this say?
Courtesy Clerk Chau: Vietnam Vet…
He stares Chau down.
The Vet: You people should thank me.
I’m starting to feel the tension and then I realize he is trying to intimidate Chau.
Me: Chau, why don’t you go outside to get the carts.
He doesn’t pay me any attention as he’s continuing to bag but he keeps the conversation going.
Courtesy Clerk Chau: Oh, why is that?
The Vet: Because I was in Nam.
Courtesy Clerk Chau: Oh… I didn’t know there were veterinarians in Vietnam.
The Vet: What? I’m a veteran, not a veterinarian.
Courtesy Clerk Chau: You take care of sick animals, right?
The Vet: No! I’m not a veterinarian! I was in the war!
Courtesy Clerk Chau: I don’t get it. What war would a vet have in Vietnam?
INTERCOM: CHAU! CUSTOMER SERVICE TO THE BOTTLE ROOM!
Phew! How ironic, he’s saved by the bottle room. The man is clearly red in the face and agitated by the conversation.
The Vet: Are all of you guys this stupid?
I catch up with Chau later and ask him if he knew what the man was talking about.
Courtesy Clerk Chau: He was confusing. I didn’t know what he was talking about.
Me: You mean you don’t know anything about the Vietnam war?
Courtesy Clerk Chau: What Vietnam war?
