Yes, "Other" in listings of ethnic background is an interesting concepts
No, it's not the pickpockets! (and just to clarify, we get a bunch of
sometimes too-trusting tourists who get all engrossed in watching the diver
and leave purses open to unauthorized sampling so we just remind them of the
reality of well-organized and highly skilled teams)
Remember Tiger Woods' consternation at labeling?  He made up a word melding
(which I can't recall) his entire background, which was Caucasian, African
American, American Indian and Thai.  We hand the survey instrument to
visitors and ask them to check off the appropriate box (something the
International tourists often find puzzling).  Many people consider the most
appropriate response to be similar to Woods (i.e. a mixture) and check off
other.

For an interesting take on the American preoccupation with race see Clarence
page's book of a few years ago.  I think the title was "Showing My Color".

Linda Wilson
Visitor Studies and Evaluation
Shedd Aquarium, Chicago IL 60605
PH 312 692 3261
[log in to unmask]