Has An Asian Dissuasion
PHARMACY | RIGHT | MARCH 28, 2015
(I work as an intern pharmacist at a pharmacy. Even though I’m still in school, I’m comfortable enough to consult patients on common prescriptions. A woman comes up to pick up some antibiotics and my supervising pharmacist asks me to consult with her on the medication. I am Asian, raised speaking Chinese, but born in Canada and moved to California when I was young, so I speak English and Chinese fluently.)
Woman: “Hi, I’m picking up for [Woman].”
(I find the prescription, and bring it to the counter.)
Me: “All right, I have it here. Have you ever taken this medication before?”
Woman: *screaming behind me at the pharmacist, who is white* “CAN I HAVE YOU HELP ME?”
Me: “Ma’am, I can help you.”
Woman: *still waving at the pharmacist*
(Giving up, I walk behind the counter, and tell my pharmacist what happened. She moves up to take care of the woman. I stay behind the counter, but I can still hear their conversation.)
Pharmacist: “How can I help you?”
Woman: “I’m just picking up my medication.”
(My pharmacist finishes the consultation as usual. When she finishes…)
Woman: *speaking at normal volume* “I don’t know why you have him back there. How do you know if he can even speak English?”
Pharmacist: “Ma’am, he speaks English fluently. He is a current pharmacy student.”
Woman: “But he’s Chinese. No one could understand his English.”
Pharmacist: “Ma’am, his English is fine. Just a good as mine.”
Woman: “I don’t think you should have him here…”
(She walks out like nothing happened. My pharmacist walks back behind the counter.)
Me: “What was she talking about?”
Pharmacist: “I don’t know. I guess she’s either new to the city or she never noticed how many Chinese people are in San Francisco.”
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