matter out of place

This past week, I served as a rapporteur at an event full of bigwigs. During the breakfast that opened the meeting on the first day, those of us without enough stature to be introduced were all made to stand and introduce ourselves. When my turn came, I said my name and that I would be serving as rapporteur. In attendance was a woman who heads an institution that is not one of my field sites, but is affiliated with my field sites. After the speeches were over and people were mingling and chatting on their way to the food, I said hello to her. She returned my greeting and said, "When I saw you, I wondered how you had managed to make your way into this thing!"

Hmph. Legitimacy is a feeble thing.