Excuse me, are you Persian?

So there I was, awkwardly positioned behind the counter of the church library, trying my darnedest to avoid eye contact with anyone and everyone who might ask if I was headed to Sunday School.

[fyi, I wasn't.  My friend, who actually works in the library, was having boy trouble and wanted someone to talk to.  Plus, I just didn't feel like going.  I need a healthy dose of rebellion in my life every now and then.]

In the rush of teachers trying to get the best baggies of chalk and whatever other supplies they needed, I hear "Hey, are you Persian?" 

 I finally locate the questioner and very classily say,

"Hunh?"

[just picture the face that went with it.  Priceless.]

The rest of the conversation went something like this:

"Are you Persian?"

"Oh, um, no?  I don't know?  My mom was adopted so, I mean, I guess anything's possible...right?"

"Oh, yeah, I was just wondering.  You just look like one.  You know, like those darker-skinned Europeans.  I like it."

"Hunh.  Cooool."

Fifty points from Gryffindor for my complete awkwardness.

But really now, what do Persian people look like?  Do I look Persian?  Was that supposed to be a compliment?

As soon as I got home, I went straight to my faithful advisor, Sir Google.  This is what he had to show me when I asked what Persian people look like.

Jake Gyllenhaal from Prince of Persia

...

Kim Kardashian

...

And my personal favorite, Ahma-whatever

...

Well, I guess two out of three ain't bad...

Moral of the story kids, if you want to tell someone they're hot like Jake G or Kim K, just say that.  Because telling a person they look Persian might lead them to worrying they look like that crazy guy they always make fun of on SNL.