Coworker: Bright yellow tights? That's an… interesting look.
Asian coworker: I wanted something that matches my skin tone. (to friend) Does that still count as racist if I say it?
Melbourne
Australia
Old white coworker about interviewee: Did you talk to her?
Receptionist: Yeah, she seemed good.
Old white coworker: Black woman, right?
Receptionist: Yeah.
Old white coworker: Oooh, they’re sharp! Well, when they’re sharp, they’re sharp!
Receptionist: Um… okay…
Horsham, Pennsylvania
Overheard by: alxie
Worker #1: German Shepherds used to terrorize the Congolese when the British were colonizing. That’s one of the reasons that the Congolese didn’t like George Foreman when he fought there.
Worker #2: Oh, I thought you were going to say that is why black people don’t like dogs.
Sears Tower
Chicago, Illinois
40-something office worker: I couldn't get a hold of my husband this morning, he's in China, but he's not black or a rich nerdy white guy, so I know he's not getting any while he's there.
Dallas, Texas
Overheard by: eesh
Production manager: I'm going to kick some Chinese ass!
Entry woman: Knock their slanty eyes straight!
Essex, Maryland
Overheard by: NOT a racist
Executive: Where’s the resume I asked for? Where’s Bashir’s* resume? Goddammit, I can’t find that idiot’s resume. Stupid Indian.
Assistant: [Silent.]Executive: So anyways, have you been following this Don Imus thing?
420 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York
Worker #1: That guy last night was kind of weird.
Worker #2: He was like a black Urkel!
Worker #1: Right.
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Overheard by: Brush up on old sitcoms people
Black co-worker: You smell good; what are you wearing?
White co-worker: White Shoulders. I’ve worn it since I was sixteen.
Black co-worker: Do they make Black Shoulders?
White co-worker: Oh, we’ll let you wear the White. This is America!
175 South Third Street
Columbus, Ohio
CPR instructor: … And how do we tell if an infant isn’t breathing? He will flail around a little and will also turn blue or purple.
Black cop: Um, not trying to be an ass, but what if the baby is my color?
White cop: Oh yeah… That’s known as blurple.
CPR Class, Police Department
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Black coworker: You're German?
White coworker with German last name: Yes.
Black coworker: How long you been German?
White coworker: Uh…since I was born.
Black coworker: I thought you were white!
Manhattan
New York City, New York
Overheard by: Animal
