Hi Patti. Sorry you had this experience. I was born in Corvallis, but raised in San Francisco, Ca. My children are mixed, Hawaiian, Filipino, and French Spanish. We fortunately have not experienced racism. I think your waitress was having a bad day. God Bless you and your family, and I hope you have kind, caring future experiences. Cheers. P.S. I'm planning on returning to Corvallis soon.
Angela | San Francisco, CA | Report Abuse

Why would anyone let one incident affect an opinion?
ann | Merritt Island, FL | Report Abuse

To say that racism doesn't exist or is unheard of in Oregon. Is like sayin' there is no poverty, evil or hunger in the world. Oregon was once was a state that did not allow BLACKS to live there. Blacks were there as trappers,settlers, and explorers in the early 19th century. Slavery wasn't permitted in this state. However, it wasn't because they were opposed to it. It was because they didn't want the responsibility of the trading competetion etc. Therefore, the goal was to keep Oregon a WHITE state. There was a law passed called the Oregon Donation Land Act of 1850. This law allowed white married couples to have free land who settled there so that the state would remain to the whites. The 1844 Oregon Territorial Legislature passed a bill that was presented to prevent slavery. It stated that anyone who brought slaves in would have to have them gone in 3 years or they would be freed. Even though times and laws have changed, most people don't. Has anyone ever noticed that every race is more welcomed than the black race? An animals life is more valued than a black persons.
Troy | Lebanon, OR | Report Abuse

To say that racism doesn't exist or is unheard of in Oregon. Is like sayin' there is no poverty, evil or hunger in the world. Oregon was once was a state that did not allow BLACKS to live there. Blacks were there as trappers,settlers, and explorers in the early 19th century. Slavery wasn't permitted in this state. However, it wasn't because they were opposed to it. It was because they didn't want the responsibility of the trading competetion etc. Therefore, the goal was to keep Oregon a WHITE state. There was a law passed called the Oregon Donation Land Act of 1850. This law allowed white married couples to have free land who settled there so that the state would remain to the whites. The 1844 Oregon Territorial Legislature passed a bill that was presented to prevent slavery. It stated that anyone who brought slaves in would have to have them gone in 3 years or they would be freed. Even though times and laws have changed, most people don't. Has anyone ever noticed that every race is more welcomed than the black race? An animals life is more valued than a black persons.
Troy | Lebanon, OR | Report Abuse

To the lady with Irish and Asian ancestry: I would think excessively premature to judge one incident to judge the whole town; besides I would question "how do you know the lady didn't think you were her neighbor's wife having an affair and was trying to be discreet?" If I was in your shoes I would earnestly question my own racism bias and asked myself: "Why do I think I am different than other people when no one is alike in this planet? What kinds of prejudices do I hold that makes me taint my experiences with self inflicted pain." From all you know the waitress could be a weird and be attracted to women and avoid looking at you because she thought you were gorgeous? Any other thoughts that comes to mind besides "prejudice"?
elizabeth | Las Vegas, NV | Report Abuse

The tacky waitress was probably flirting with your husband to get a bigger tip...it works a lot I'm sure. It has happened several times to me when out with my significant other in Asheville NC.
Leslee | Asheville, NC | Report Abuse

No, Oregonians are not racist. Consider this, racism can be found anywhere you look for it. The key phrase is "Look for it". If a person is looking for something they are going to find it. I was raised in Oregon. I can say with absolute confidence that the greater majority of Oregonians are not racist. I've been living in Coastal Georgia for over three years. I have notice more racism here than anywhere else I have lived and I wasn't looking for it. What I have noticed is racism is something that is taught from one generation to the next. Something else I have noticed is racial selectivity most often comes from people who are self conscious about their heritage. What I ask is what evidence do you have to support your "Assumption" that the waitress in question was in fact racist. You gave no supporting facts. From an unbiased reader it appears you have simply pushed you own self consciousness onto others to come up with an entirely fictitious explanation for a random every-day even. How do you know anything about said waitress? How do you know she wasn't just having a bad day? How do you know her attitude had anything to do with you? Consider this for a moment. A large majority of people in Corvallis are college students. Many of these people are under considerable stress from classes. Perhaps her attitude was a result of that. Look at the rest of the comments as a result of your "Assumptions". Now people think Corvallis is an Irish-hating, racist community. Which is entirely untrue. Morgan Freeman once said To end racism is to stop talking about it. Making false accusations based upon your'e "Feelings" is not only selfish, but it breeds false information. It's a form of deformation of character. I recommend you chose your words wisely and keep your'e feelings out of these reviews.
Matt | Fort Stewart, GA | Report Abuse

My husband and I are researching retirement communities that are less congested than Long Beach, CA and above all friendly. I trust that your feelings were genuine and that the waitress was being an airhead and maybe even racist but I tend to think she could have been looking for a big tip by acknowledging your husband and dismissing you. I get that you've experienced racist behavior in the past and are an expert in recognizing it but this waitress doesn't necessarily represent Corvallis, OR she does represent an ignorant, unkind, and unfeeling individual. I will be visiting Corvallis, OR in the spring of 2020. I'll post my experience and observations when I get back... Thanks for the heads up and thank you for sharing your experience...
Pietro | Long Beach, CA | Report Abuse

Patti, I am from Irish ancestry and have been considering a move to Corvallis, but after reading your experience with that waitress, I have made up my mind. There is no way I am moving to an Irish hating place like Corvallis Oregon. Thanks Patti for keeping me from making a big mistake.
Rodney | Lawton, OK | Report Abuse