Oh, the random things people say

Photo credit: LeCoil

So, this past Friday I was attending a conference hosted by my department. The conference was in a hotel and various vendors were set up. They were selling such things as clothes, purses, oils, shea butter, jewelry, etc. I tried to resist purchasing anything but, I could not resist this sale one vendor had on clip-on earrings. Lately, I have really been feeling clip-on earrings. They have that whole 50s era, ladylike vibe. But, I digress...

This is how the conversation went:
Me: "Oh, I see you have a sale on clip-on earrings."
Vendor: "Yes, I do. Your ears aren't pierced?"
Me: "Yes, my ears are pierced but, I like the chunkiness of clip-ons and they don't pull at my earlobe."
Vendor: "Ok. I noticed your jewelry over there. I thought it was different that you had on such glamorous jewelry since you have locs. Don't you like ethnic jewelry? Most people with locs wear ethnic jewelry."
Me: "Actually, I like all types of jewelry. I have a nice size collection. And my hair is in twists not locs." Not that there is anything wrong with locs, I just wanted to point that out.
Vendor: "Oh, ok. So, do you wear it out?"
Me: "Yeah, I change it up."

I just thought it was funny that because I wear a certain hairstyle, I should be limited to certain jewelry. As I told her, my jewelry collection really does range from ethnic, to glamorous, to simple, to classic, etc. I never felt my hair should limit my style. I think this just goes back to the stereotype of natural hair and a certain look that is associated with it.