I know that I've mentioned this before, but I just had to share this little memento that once again proves my carefully developed theory, that, when broken down is basically: Everybody Thinks I'm Russian. Or at least, not American (and please don't ask me how I created this theory; there are simply so many numbers and scientific equations involved that, were I to divulge it, this blog would become a homing device for scientists around the world and I just don't think I am ready for that. Yet. But just give me time...).
Before the show on Sunday night, I went and did an appearance at a swanky dinner at this hotel, hosted by Broadway Across America. I guess it was this package that included a full meal, tickets to see our show, and of course, the chance to meet some cast members (which is where I come in). So I walk into the dining room, the PR person introduces me to everybody, and I am left to mingle from table to table, introducing myself and being generally pleasant. I get to this one table that consists of a husband, his wife, and their daughter, and we have a conversation that goes like this:
Me: Hi, I am Jessica, it's so nice to meet you...
Wife: Hello...(with a sidelong glance to her husband)...You ask her...
Husband: No...You ask her...
This goes on for a few moments before I gently interject with, Is there something you would like to ask me (I know. Amazing that I gathered that, I must be psychic or something.)?
Husband: Where are you from?
Me: Ah, Delaware.
Husband: No, what country...?
Me: Ah, America.
Husband (in total surprise): Really?! You are not Russian, then?
Wife: He was sure you were Russian!
Husband: When you walked into the room, I thought to myself, "now, there is a Russian woman." And you are not even European?
Me: Nope, just American...But the truth is that you are not far off at all, considering how many other people think I am Russian; really, you must be onto something. Now, have you seen A Chorus Line before...?
If I had a dollar for every time somebody thought I was Russian...Or even just NOT American...
And then tonight, I was taking the elevator down from my apartment before my walk to work, when this man starts a conversation with me. What did he ask? What country are you from? Again, I had to tell him that I am just American. Like him. I told Drew that I am going to work on a Russian accent just so that I can have some fun with people... I think I might go by Svetlana, and when asked if I speak much English I will say nyet.
Yes, this could be a lot of fun.
18 comments:
wait....you're not russian?
Where are you from? No, what country?
I have some nieces and nephews that speak Russian, maybe they'd teach you some phrases.
considering that the only Russian word I know at this point is nyet, that might really come in handy...
tell them you aren't russian, you are soviet, and that it's only a matter of time before you single-handedly resurrect the great Soviet Union.
does it happen when you're blond?
Oh my gosh I have to comment on your Sunset Cliffs picture! My husband and I lived on Point Loma way back in the early nineties and we LOVED it! He almost had to go into the hole there at high tide to rescue two swimmers. He was a trained lifeguard but I was so scared for him to go in there. The boys managed to get on a lip right as he was about to go in.
BTW I found you through your comment on MckMama's blog. I thought it was cool that you're a dancer/actress (and so obviously Russian), so I had to stop by and say hello.
You & Jase have both been mistaken over and over again for being European. You might, considering certain political tension right now, want to pick another close country to Russia~ like Ukraine, Abkhazia, or South Osetia?
Anita--what an amazing story! I can only image how scary it would be if that cave filled up with the ocean...
And anon--actually, it did happen when I was blond; when I was a teenager I started getting remarks that I looked like a Russian spy.
and mom--way to go spouting off those bordering countries of Russia! Tell me that took a google search, at least...;-)
Shoes, it's all in the shoes. When I used to live in Orlando we'd spend the days off at Disney, which is 50% foreigners. The greatest common denominator was their cool puma/addias/gola shoes (Americans just wore sport sandals, or worse crocs!) My wife got asked if she was Russian once, but we later decided it was just a bad pickup line. I agree with peaj, learn some Russian and play it up!
haha--that makes sense!!!
That really is so funny. I have never thought you were Russian- but that might be partly because I already knew before I met you.
I think you should totally play it up.
Maybe everyone else knows some thing that you don't. Hm? Maybe you were brainwashed some time in your youth and given a new identity after erasing your memory eg. Bourne Identity. You did say you liked the name Anika, did you not? ;-)
Right! That might account for my amazing fighting skills and the fact that I can remember every detail I see as soon as I enter a room...Uh-oh I hope I didn't kill a dignitary at some point...
And yes, I do love the name Anika;-)
I get it all the time too. One time someone said to me, Now why do you look so Slavic? I had no answer for him.
I think it's because we have ancestors who come from a region, Alsace Lorraine, that no one has heard of, and it's questionable whether it even exists at all.
but it does exist! It's just been captured and re-captured so often by both France and Germany, that everybody who claims that ancestry doesn't know what the heck they are...
That's funny!! I have had people think I am Slavic, or some sort of Eastern European, too, but wait...I REALLY AM!!
we need to make t-shirts where yours will say i'm not russian! and mine will say i'm not black! maybe if we start wearing them 24/7 people will start to get the picture.
yes-love it! Let's do it!!
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