If you lie about your hometown, why?

[Anonymous]

Only people who are snooty about cities are like this. Some a-hole who was born in New York City but actually spent most of her life in Kentucky gets all bent out of shape when someone who was born in Kentucky but lived in New York City for 20 years says they’re “from” there.

The people who are annoyed by this don’t have much going on in their lives. Interesting people don’t care about stupid stuff like where you were born.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only people who are snooty about cities are like this. Some a-hole who was born in New York City but actually spent most of her life in Kentucky gets all bent out of shape when someone who was born in Kentucky but lived in New York City for 20 years says they’re “from” there.

The people who are annoyed by this don’t have much going on in their lives. Interesting people don’t care about stupid stuff like where you were born.

OF course not. It's about where you were raised, not where you were born. Because that's the place that shapes you the MOST in your whole life. They're called "formative years", for a reason.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in a place overseas that many people could not identify on a globe or if they can have really elementary misunderstandings about. I rarely give the place when asked unless I am pretty sure the person asking won't embarrass themselves with their follow up questions.

So my evasiveness is based on saving people from their own ignorance.

BTW full American heritage going many generations back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in a place overseas that many people could not identify on a globe or if they can have really elementary misunderstandings about. I rarely give the place when asked unless I am pretty sure the person asking won't embarrass themselves with their follow up questions.

So my evasiveness is based on saving people from their own ignorance.

BTW full American heritage going many generations back.

Surely most people have at least heard of it! It cant be that obscure

[Anonymous]

In any “destination” type setting or a work setting where some people are local and some are not I would assume “where are you from” meant where are you living now/from what city have you arrived. “Where did you grow up” seems a more appropriate question if you want to get somebody to admit they’re from Frog Hop, Tennessee or whatever, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only people who are snooty about cities are like this. Some a-hole who was born in New York City but actually spent most of her life in Kentucky gets all bent out of shape when someone who was born in Kentucky but lived in New York City for 20 years says they’re “from” there.

The people who are annoyed by this don’t have much going on in their lives. Interesting people don’t care about stupid stuff like where you were born.

OF course not. It's about where you were raised, not where you were born. Because that's the place that shapes you the MOST in your whole life. They're called "formative years", for a reason.

My knowledge of tractors and plowing has not had any impact on my adult life. None of my neighbors care about the dangers of a PTO.

[Anonymous]

It seems like OP's mission is to get people to admit that they're from Bumf*ck, KY. Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in a place overseas that many people could not identify on a globe or if they can have really elementary misunderstandings about. I rarely give the place when asked unless I am pretty sure the person asking won't embarrass themselves with their follow up questions.

So my evasiveness is based on saving people from their own ignorance.

BTW full American heritage going many generations back.

Surely most people have at least heard of it! It cant be that obscure

In more recent years--yes, they have heard of it (but given the geographical challenges many in the US face they may have a hard time placing it on a map). Misconceptions are quite rampant and the questions are loaded with ignorant bias the questioner doesn't realize. One doesn't even know how to begin to answer them, one is so embarrassed for him or her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like OP's mission is to get people to admit that they're from Bumf*ck, KY. Why?

If that's where you're from... why not say it? What's the problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like OP's mission is to get people to admit that they're from Bumf*ck, KY. Why?

If that's where you're from... why not say it? What's the problem?

Not that op but I AM from there and I am happy to tell people if they ask where I grew up but for adults in many settings “where are you from” doesn’t mean “where did you grow up?” If you want to know that, ask that! (And I will happily answer all your questions about Appalachia.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like OP's mission is to get people to admit that they're from Bumf*ck, KY, because she wants to feel superior. She thinks she is cool because she grew up in an OMG urban area. It's gatekeeping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like OP's mission is to get people to admit that they're from Bumf*ck, KY, because she wants to feel superior. She thinks she is cool because she grew up in an OMG urban area. It's gatekeeping.

Why doesn't someone just say they're from an OMG rural area if that's the truth? Why not be upfront? So strange

[Anonymous]

I grew up in south jersey and went to school with a lot of farmers. You'd never guess it was 25 min from Philly.

[Anonymous]

I can't stand telling people I grew up in Utah because I always get the, 'are you a Mormon' question right after. I find it so rude and pushy!! I don't think I've ever demanded to know someone's religion as the 2nd getting to know you question, but when you say Utah, that is alway, always the next question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like OP's mission is to get people to admit that they're from Bumf*ck, KY, because she wants to feel superior. She thinks she is cool because she grew up in an OMG urban area. It's gatekeeping.

Why doesn't someone just say they're from an OMG rural area if that's the truth? Why not be upfront? So strange

Why does someone have to answer your small talk exactly the way you want? Maybe they don’t feel like discussing their upbringing/place of origin with a stranger. The point of small talk is to pass time in a way that is pleasant for both parties.