zauhar
Veteran
You could be right. Maybe it wasn't racism and I got my panties all in a bunch. But that look she gave, wow! I'm sure it keeps her gentelman in line. Doesn't matter now anyway. Today is a new day. I learned not to bother older people about things that don't concern me (his camera). All I can say is hope your day is going as well as mine. Now go make some photographs! 😀
I don't think you were being paranoid, I suspect their was an element of fear and racism expressed on their part when you expressed interest in an expensive and unusual item. I say "racism" without hesitation, since I wager you do not in any way come across as a thug.
Speaking as a white person, I am amazed by the number of white people who pretend there is no such thing as racism and prejudice! It is after all an unfortunate part of human nature. If it makes white people feel any better, you don't need to look far to see examples of whites killing other whites or blacks killing other blacks on a grand scale, always because of some perceived difference. Think serb vs. croat or hutu vs. tutsi. But that only shows that race hatred is universal, part of our original sin.
So don't take it personally if someone points out the existence of racism - our makeup has not changed significantly in the last 100,000 years. But if you are aware of such negative tendencies in yourself, you do have some chance to counteract them.
I will also take my camera out today - I wish us all luck!
Randy