My students tell me that the term for a white guy, “Gui lo” (Ghost Man), is not derrogatory. I hear this term maybe twice a week here and it’s never to my face . . . well, once, but that was in a class of ten year-olds. And it’s always, “Waaaah! Gui lo,” never, “Ni hao Gui lo,” or even, “Hello Gui lo.” I always hear it in passing from people thinking they’re saying it quietly enough so as I won’t hear them, or in a situation where it’s not likely that I will stop and talk to them.

Well I have a question . . . If this isn’t so derrogatory, do Italians say “Buon giorno, mulignane,” and then invite the guy to dinner?

Oh. It’s different. I understand.