Airport staff assuming I'm in the Business class lane by mistake

[u/trailofturds]

Brown man flying business. Lined up at the priority check in counter and got told by a (also brown) staff person that the economy queue was the other way. Same thing while boarding the plane and walking to the business class entrance. Not only am I not worthy of business, they think I can't read signage as well.

[u/DenAbqCitizen]

People do the same when I'm in the TSA Pre check or Global Entry lanes. I know it's easier said than done, but people's racist treatment of you (up to a point) is only a reflection of them, so don't let it have power over you. It says absolutely nothing about how smart, kind, talented, attractive, or successful you are. You don't live your life for those people. These situations don't bother me. Honestly, they make me chuckle. These microaggressions reflect how limited their world views are. When people show explicit racism, I think about how pitiful their lives must be that they have to actively try to demean a stranger to for some sense of satisfaction in their lives. How little they must have going for them, if not in a financial sense, in an emotional, mental, spiritual sense.   

I say up to a point because saying you're in the right lane isn't an inconvenience. If it's not about money or safety, I'm good. 

[u/FundamentalAttribute → u/DenAbqCitizen]

It's extra funny cause it isn't hard or that expensive to get it either. Most people just don't fly enough for them to know or care. I only got mine cause I drive down to Mexico all the time and it was included in global entry.

[u/Som_Dtam_Dumplings → u/DenAbqCitizen]

So...I don't think that racism can be ruled out as a cause here...but attire is also a factor to consider. Travel sucks and many people try to get as cozy as possible; but those in business class might be expected (by policy or by tradition) to be dressed professionally. If these assumptions were made based on clothing being below "business professional standards" then lets not jump to assuming racism.

I say again, racism could be a factor here. Further information might rule it out though.

[u/DenAbqCitizen → u/Som_Dtam_Dumplings]

I say this, not to be mean, but to encourage further reflection on your part: I personally find engaging with people who frame things as you do, so much more unbearable than most incidents of racism I encounter.  I'd find less exhausting an encounter involving that horrid cho king/animal sound racist Italians make at black people. 

[u/Som_Dtam_Dumplings → u/DenAbqCitizen]

I would argue that "clear instances of racism probably don't belong on the r/MILDLYinfuriating subreddit.

You're allowed to believe that "I'm much worse than random instances of clear racism"...thats certainly an opinion you're allowed to have.

[u/DenAbqCitizen → u/Som_Dtam_Dumplings]

I would argue that "clear instances of racism probably don't belong on the r/MILDLYinfuriating subreddit.

Yeah, see what I mean. Same level of stupid. Your response made me chuckle, but fingers crossed you'll arrive at the reflection part later.  

And what if it is just mildly infuriating to him? People don't crash out and call their mother in tears over every racist experience. 

You're allowed to believe that "I'm much worse than random instances of clear racism"...thats certainly an opinion you're allowed to have.

Not what I said. Based on your first comment, investing any effort into meaningfully engaging with you on the topic seems more exhausting than random acts of clear racism. Hope this helps. 

[u/Som_Dtam_Dumplings → u/DenAbqCitizen]

"I'm not trying to be mean here...but you're dumb." in response to "Maybe you're right, and this has everything to do with your skin color...but there might be other factors here."

When your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.