cosmopolitanality

we have recently discovered craigslist. we successfully sold our king-size box springs (from our mattress set in which the mattress was defective and returned to the factory) and put our heavy, sturdy, well-kept drafting table up for sale.

we only had one query and subsequent visit from a nice young mother (pretty pale brown skin and short, neat dreadlocks) with her young 5 year old in tow. the little one was tired and hungry but very well behaved, having taken his shoes off without prompting from mom as soon as they came in the front door in addition to being quiet and polite while the grownups talked. we went to the garage to look at the table, but he soon got cold so i took him back in and offered him apple cider and a couple of kids books to look at.

i went back to the mom to ask if he could have some mashed potatoes and she said, "i don't know. he's never had any." immediately i found myself in an alternate reality and as i made my way back again, i tried to cover up my stunned disbelief while she continued, "he thinks potatoes are french fries." i smiled, trying to gracefully move past my faux pas and went back in to offer him food. he didn't want any, but was extremely interested in the picture encyclopedia which, of course, i sent home with him.

but ... never had mashed potatoes? whoooooaa dude .....