Originally Posted by
MarkBastable
Well, it's partly accent. Because of my background and upbringing, my accent veers all over the place, but to an American I sound like Hugh Grant, which is acceptable as straight in the movies apparently, but in real life is considerered kinda queer. Also, my hair's longer than most American men my age wear it, but not so long that I can be written off as a hippy, so that's another indicator of gayness. On top of which, I'm just louche in a lazy sort of gangly way that reminds Americans of chiffon.
I was playing poker in a casino in Atlantic City, with a whole bunch of New Jersey rollers who were not that friendly towards me. A waitress came by with a tray bearing drinks ordered earlier from another waitress, and she stood there a moment waiting for the round to end.
I said to the guy left in the hand with me, "I'll see you."
And he said, "Jacks and Fours."
I flipped my cards and said, "Trip fives. Sorry. I made them on the river. Just very lucky."
And the waitress said, "You're the Bloody Mary, right?"
Scooping up my chips, I looked over my shoulder and said, "Having heard me speak, you're working on the principle that all Brits are fags, aren't you?"
And she said, "No - really - I...uh..."
And I said, "It's okay. You're right about the Bloody Mary. The fag thing - I hesitate to protest either way."
After which, everyone at the table seemed much more relaxed about me.