Native Tan

"Where are you from?"


That's the question I was asked by a man sitting next to me at the bar in a local restaurant my friends and I visited recently. I guess when you live in Florida, visitors naturally assume that everyone else they encounter is also there on vacation.


"I live here. I'm local," I answered.


"Oh, you live here? I guess I thought you were visiting since you're so white."


He meant my skin tone not my mannerisms or belief system I assumed.


I was not offended by his observation. After all, I'm a green eyed blonde. Not all Florida natives look like, er, natives. 


So I answer, "That's because when you grow up in Florida, you become aware of a little thing we call skin cancer. Most everyone I know that grew up here or has lived here a long time has had something cut or burned off them at some point. The dermatology industry is very healthy here - recession proof in fact."


Then I ask "Where are you from?"


Michigan.