I do understand that. It is a good technique to use. But my question is: Why mention the fact that the lady was Asian, when she is not mentioned again in the story? I feel that providing the extra detail without further involving the character takes away from the story. What does the Asian lady do in the scenario? Does her being Asian somehow influence? People from some Asian countries are very polite and reserved. Did that influence the interview in some way?
Its as if I wrote the following:
John, Mike, and a white man sat down in my table. We all talked about our trip to Disney Land. Dinner was fine, except for the fish. It was over cooked. Mike sent it back to the kitchen, and they prepared another one. Afterwards, we went to the local arcade. Where a mean game of Galaga was played. John, as always, had the high score. I was not as lucky. The score was affected by my bad sleeping habits. Ever since starting this new job, I simply cannot fall asleep as easily as before.
Look, this stuff is subjective and I'm barely a novice. But.. any choice of detail you make is going to have a lot of influence on how the reader sees that room. They carry their own biases and associations. I saw two 28 year old white guys, kinda of californian looking, clear "non formal workplace' subcultural affiliation. The Asian lady, I imagine as a little older, more formally dressed and not saying anything. The interviewee is a few years older than the guys, more formally dressed and generally more accustomed to a a formal work environment.
If it had been 'two white guys and a tall woman' I probably would have pictured the interviewee as non white. I also imagine (because its in blog/HN comment format) the objection to singling out the asian. That makes it seem honest, because noticing that she's asian is like an admission of guilt.
This story is making fun of stereotypes. Using clichés is how he's getting a particular effect.
You are right. I will say that I had not noticed this story being fictional. Makes me feel rather stupid. Why did I not notice? I have been in this situation many times. We often read about how perfect startups are. How nothing in Silicon Valley stinks. But life has had me participating in scenarios similar to what the OP described. Which is the point of the post itself. The path to understanding makes shreds of the ego.
