(It is November 11th, 2016. I’m openly lesbian, and don’t “pass” for straight due to my unique hair and androgynous dress. Unfortunately, there’s a huge rise in hate crimes after the election, and I have been shoved, called names, and had my car vandalized so far. Even though I am just starting out as a lawyer, I can’t stop these things happening. I am talking about the hate crimes issue with a colleague.)

Me: “…so there’s been a lot more anti-minority and anti-gay harassment lately. People feel emboldened, you know? So do you think you could walk me out of work today?”

(Colleague #2, who is a new immigrant from a conservative south Asian country, stops after walking by and hearing this. He smiles.)

Colleague #2: “Do you know what I would do? I would… tell them ‘oh, you’re harassing this gay person? Would you perhaps now like to meet my .38 special?’”

Colleague #1: *describing himself* “Or do you want a six foot six Norwegian carrying a bat?”

(I knew they were joking, but it meant a lot that two very different people felt so strongly about protecting me!)

(I am at a government department that “takes care” of the unemployed and job seekers.)

Officer: *after reading a list of things I can’t do and/or need to report to get my money* “And don’t forget, we have people monitoring all the other departments — Tax office, police, and Immigration, so if you put even a toe out of line—” *laughs* “—we’ll be coerced into cutting your benefit!”

Me: “Sounds a little harsh, but—”

Officer: *smiles* “Well, just think of it THIS way: sooner you get yourself a job instead of being idle, sooner these restrictions are lifted!”

Me: “So… ‘Work Means Freedom,’ as they say?”

Officer: *stares in surprise, then joyfully* “What a COOL motto! Yes, exactly. Wow, where did you get that motto from? It’s so good!”

Me: *stunned she’s not heard of it* “Er… it’s an old one… from Europe.”

Officer: “Gosh, that’s good! ‘Work Means Freedom.’ Oh, I’d love to suggest we use it, but I suppose it’s still copyright?”

Me: “Wouldn’t think so, no.”

Officer: *overjoyed* “Oh, cool! I’ll raise it at our next staff meeting! We should SO have it as a motto!”

(I’d have loved to have seen that meeting take place.)

(I have a free period and decide to sneak in a early lunch at a well-known fast food place. I don’t usually do this because I’m vegetarian and their veggie food just tastes somewhat stale. However, I order a Veggie Burger and start eating only to notice something unusual. I take the burger apart only to notice lots of bacon on it. I head back to the till.)

Me: “Sorry to bother you. Is it possible that there’s BACON on my VEGGIE burger?”

Employee: “Wha… Oh… Yes. So sorry! I’ll get the manager.”

(She heads to the back. The place is rather empty so while waiting for the manager I can eavesdrop on the conversation between the employee and (what seems to be) the “cook.”)

Employee: “Did you put bacon on a veggie burger?!”

Cook: “Yes… Why?”

Employee: “There’s supposed to be no meat on a VEGGIE burger.”

Cook: “Well, there was no meat on it. Only bacon.”

Employee: “Bacon IS meat!”

Cook: “But… but… it just tastes better with bacon!”

(My husband and I go out to eat on a Friday night that has indoor and outdoor seating. My husband goes to the restroom while I get a table.)

Hostess: “For how many?”

Me: “Two.”

Hostess: “Inside or outside?”

(I would like to sit outside but being pregnant and starving I may consider inside.)

Me: “Which is faster?”

Hostess: “Honestly, to go.”

Me: *I’m confused and stunned, maybe I heard wrong when she asked me inside or outside* “How long is the wait outside?”

Hostess: “If you can find a table someone is sitting at now and sit at the end where it’s empty you could sit now.”

(I’m still very confused as she is not really answering my questions, I take a look outside and see the tables aren’t big enough to share as it’s the size of a standard picnic table.)

Me: “No, I’ll just sit inside, I guess.”

Hostess: “Okay it will be a 20-30 minute wait.”

Me: “That’s fine…”

(I sat down to wait and was called in three minutes. I told my husband the story and he laughed but was also confused. Maybe it was pregnancy hormones that got me slightly upset, but it was a very strange encounter.)

(I am 15. A nurse perforates my eardrum while syringing it, which is incredibly painful, and is left to heal naturally for months. When it doesn’t, I have to have a myringoplasty to repair it. My parents pay for a private room, and after my surgery I stay overnight in the hospital.)

Nurse: *takes pulse and BP* “Did you decide what you want for dinner yet?”

(I’m not a foodie, and rarely have an appetite.)

Me: “No, I’m not really hungry.”

Nurse: “It doesn’t matter. You have to eat something.”

(I eventually give in and agree to eat a boiled egg. When this is brought to me, I take two bites and promptly vomit them back up along with everything else in my stomach. I’m too weak from my head surgery to even sit up on my own. I press the button to get a nurse, but there’s no response. After five minutes, I press it again. Another five minutes pass and a nurse finally appears.)

Nurse: *walks in, sees me literally LYING IN A POOL OF VOMIT, and impatiently tells me* “Yes, we’ll be with you in a minute.”

(And this, my friends, was in a private hospital.)