Why is it that when we dress in traditional Chinese outfits it is not offensive and when we stretch our eyes out with our fingers to pretend we are Chinese it generates racial sensitivities?

Why is it that when you give a black person a flower it is a gesture of friendship, but when you give him a banana it becomes a total insult to his humanity?

Why is it OK for an Asian woman to buy opaque stockings for her Western friends and not OK for her to buy them shaving kits?

Why is it acceptable to comment on a man's hair colors and curvatures, but not very nice to comment on the contours of his receding hairline?

Why is it that when we eat another culture's food we build cross-cultural relationships and when we cringe upon knowing what is in the food (hot dog) we destroy that relationship?

Why is it that when we shave our hair to look like chemotherapy patients we are elevated to being supporting sympathizers, but when we limp along those who have lost a leg we become harassing idiots?

These questions transcend race and gets to the fundamental question: what is appropriate human behavior in this very culturally and racially diverse world? To lighten up and laugh may be one way. How about getting an education and doing some traveling first?

If we are going to laugh, laugh at our own uniqueness rather than make fun of the differences we see in others. The former portrays a healthy level of self-confidence. The latter projects inner insecurities. Maybe this is why the Spanish ad was so offensive.

The offensive nature of the Spanish ad is not in its intentions, but in its lack of what we know and feel is appropriate. Otherwise, it would not have been so funny to those who do not understand its prejudice.