To still be annoyed?

[NoineNoine]

Hello I'm a long time lurker, and wanted to vent/ask if I'm over reacting.

I'm an Asian expatriate with a 6 year old DD1, who attends an international school along with kids from several different nationalities. The school run is mostly pleasant, I've made a few good friends, and all the parents are lovely. Almost all of us are new to the charming little European town we all live in, so the few minutes before pick up is always spent talking about where to buy stuff or weekend plans.

About ten days ago, there was a new man in the little group and one of the parents introduced him to us as her brother in law. He and his family had just moved in too, and it was his children's first day. We all welcomed him and there was some general chatter before the kids started emerging. I was about to look if mine was there when he suddenly turns to me and asks me where I'm from. I tell him, and he blurts out that he was surprised I have no accent. I am very brown, and I think I do have an accent, so I was just a bit baffled. He continues by saying "I normally find people from your country have such a funny accent. I always laugh when they talk."

This was veering into offensive territory, so I just tried to politely excuse myself and try and look for my DD, but he just kept on and on going about how he had told his DD to watch out for her maths teacher (His DD is 9) who also comes from my country and how she can't possibly be a good teacher because shock, horror! She might have an accent.

My DD finally emerged and I scarpered off, but not before he says "But you have nothing to do with your home country, right?" I firmly informed him that I had grown up there, and fully intended to go back there.

I'm still annoyed about this incident. There are kids from all over the world in the school, most of them have accents. I think it just bothers me because this town has been nothing but welcoming and this one man stands out like a very sore thumb.

I just ignore him everyday now, but just seeing him makes me grit my teeth.

[burritofan]

You're not overreacting, he's a racist idiot.

If you're ever caught in conversation with him again, you can point out that literally everyone in the world has an accent, because there's no default, neutral way of speaking. Or simply laugh at everything he says because his accent is so funny.

[Wallywobbles]

Fuck me that's wrong on do many levels.

[Cherrysherbet]

What an arsehole. Don’t give him another thought, he’s not worth it.

[FudgeBrownie2019]

He's an absolute bellend and racist to boot. Ignore him if you can, and if he persists in seeking you out, you'd be absolutely within your rights to tell him how rude and racist he's being, and how you don't want to spend time near him.

Racist people hate, hate being told they're racist. It won't hurt him to know you've sussed him, though.

[tartantrewsweddingblues]

Nah he’s a dick!

Where are you from? I’m intrigued!

[Decormad38]

Id report him to the school. Say to them you fear for the safety of your child due to the racism you have been subjected to.

[StealthPolarBear]

What on earth did he think he was going to achieve from this? Was his manner hostile?

[sebashocked]

YABU. Does he come from a country which is generally monocultural? I've heard similar from certain eastern European acquaintances.

[sebashocked]

Oops should be YANBU

[Pinkprincess1978]

He is a racist and I would try and avoid him if I could. I do like pps suggestion of laughing when he talks as his accent is 'so funny'. You should also warn the school given he had admitted his feeling about one of the teachers there. This teacher may have trouble with behaviour and respect from this child and it would be useful for them to have some background

[Damntheman]

This is where "did you mean to be so racist?" would have been a beautifully cutting response, OP.

[StealthPolarBear]

Lol damn

[Sweetpea55]

What a tosser