Life here in RTP remains blissful, but I discovered a challenge to living in my neighborhood. As I mentioned in Minority Report, most of my neighbors are Indian. As I also mentioned, they've been kind, friendly, and welcoming, but I can't tell them apart! Specifically, I'm referring to the women in the neighborhood where most of them look like they're out of central casting. Every one of the Indian women on my street, between their 30's and 50's are 5'4", slenderish build, with long, straight, black hair, no makeup, and very subdued clothing. What doesn't help matters is my distance vision is on the edge of needing correction (thanks laser surgery for lasting almost 20 years!) so making out fine facial features any further than 25 feet is all but impossible. As I mentioned, they're all very friendly, but I never know whether I'm looking at my next door neighbor or someone from two blocks over. I find this frustrating, because it prevents me from "placing" them and offering more than a "Hi".
The fact of the matter is white women are easier to place because of the greater variations in body type, hair color / style, height, and mannerisms. Facial features are easier to place at some distance because of heritage. Women with Italian genetics look different than ones with Scandinavian or Slavic. Makeup also plays a big role in differentiating. That all means that white "familiar stranger" women tend to stick in the memory banks more easily.
The men are much easier because of build, facial hair, the way they carry themselves, and a bit more varied heights.
These are the things I spend my days pondering...damn, I need a life!
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