Opinion: Stereotypes Stay Their Type

I reached l'aeroport Charles de Gaulle 3 hours early. The MH line was already very long when I joined the queue. 20 minutes later, the line must be about 50 metres long, snaking its way behind me. But still a single line, mostly Caucasians.

After I got my boarding pass, saying 'Merci beaucoup' for the last time - I dashed to the gate, ready to burn my plastic buying junk snacks francaise. Whoa - another long queue was at the immigration. I patiently took my place at the back, next to a Polish-American nun. As we got closer to the gate (and looking back, the line must be at least 200 meters long!), all of a sudden the single line suddenly became two, then three. The reason: a troop of Chinese peeps just cut the line way in front! Led by their nauseatingly Chinese tour leader, happily waving his serrated triangular flag! I was furious! A million and one swear words in various dialects came to mind... but being Malaysian, all I did was huff and puff in silence.

But the white man behind me, being a white man, starting shouting:"No way! This is unfair! Hey you! Get back in line!" The sniggering Peking buffoon nonchalantly flagged his group in, without a glance elsewhere. The nun beside me was shaking her head, evidently tempted to hurl an expletive or two. I felt so ashamed to be Asian.

Just as I got to the front of the line, another line was forcibly formed - this time by Japanese aunties. No matter how much I love Hiro Nakamura, I couldn't bear this group of pastel-faced curly gremlins taking my spot. I pretty much yelled "Do you mind! Line up please" The head gremlin, bejeweled fingers clutching her Banzai Nippon passport, motioned to the ladies behind in a high-pitched bark. Clearly they had some kamikaze strategy to cut their way through, indifferent to the rest of the people (some who have been there for the past 45 mins, obediently in line!).

Using my girth as a bullying factor, I stomped my foot into the front, disregarding these wizened white raisins. I was definitely boiling.

There you have it - Caucasians, outspoken but toe the line; Asians, self-centred mindless creatures of Jahiliyah and beyond; Malaysian, sit back, observe, and shrug. Yeah, I'm a friggin' racist. Can you blame me?