Possibly one of the most offensive moments of my three months in Shanghai happened on a shoot for DAZZLE. Lunch time was nearing, and I was all to excited about my Chinese lunch box that was sure to be arriving any moment. The lunchboxes are usually the highlight of my jobs here in China. Only a couple times have they not been good, and even then, I'm still thankful I have that instead of McDonalds...
But anyways, back to the story. It's now lunch time and I see bags of Chinese food arriving, followed by... a pizza box? 'A pizza? For who?' ran through my head 'Which confused person would ask for pizza?'. Next thing I know, pizzas on the table, I'm being summoned, the pizza's for me and the other models, it has corn on it.
The fact that I was served pizza was confusing to me, and also relatively hurtful. Do you really think I want to eat pizza? Do you just assume that Western models don't like Chinese food, and that we want to eat pizza... in China? The other two models on the other-hand, were completely over-joyed that they scored a pizza that day for lunch.
"You want... Chinese food?" one asked, "Hell yes, I do."
"You want... Chinese food?" one asked, "Hell yes, I do."
That whole lunch experience, however small, really got to me. I felt discriminated against to a certain extent. It's rude to assume that because I'm white and "American" (not even) that all I eat is pizza, McDonalds, KFC (which some people think I want for breakfast), and drink pop.
Hopefully this blog will make certain people realize that some models actually eat, enjoy food, and like to try cuisines that differ from our own.
Sincerely,
THE MODEL WHO
ATE EVERYTHING
This happened to me a few times in china, my worse experience though was also with DAZZLE. After shooting without food for 7 hours I was dreaming of what kind of tasty chinese dishes would be served to me as all the other employees in the office had already received their dinner boxes. When my time to eat came I was given a cold Mc. Chicken and a cold Quarter pounder... so they heated it up in the microwave for me. Thanksssss. (I think you might have been there for the show that night) Anyways, it was complete discrimination! Just because I'm white doesn't mean I don't like a good chicken foot like the next guy.
ReplyDeleteI worked for the company one other time and pizza with corn was the models lunch followed by KFC burgers as a snack.
thanks for a place to rant,
L-wood