Why do people asked me where I am from if they don't believe me?

[Anonymous]

My husband is Indian and when people ask he says he's from Florida. They know he's lying but what can I do. Sometimes the Indians ask him if he's uh Mexican ?. This is going to catch on to our son. My husband should be proud of his background. Be confident OP.

[Anonymous]

Look, I just turned 54. I'm an American born of Chinese descent. I have no Chinese accent. I actually speak Mandarin with a slight American accent (slight enough that most people don't think I'm American, but Chinese think I'm Taiwanese and Taiwanese think I'm from China).

And yet, I still routinely have people ask where I'm from. When I answer that I'm originally from Pittsburgh, I'm asked where I'm really from. It's veiled racism. They are trying to stereotype you and you don't fit their mental image of what you should be, so they discredit your answer.

[Anonymous]

People have been doing this to Jews from time immemorial. Welcome to my world— and I am considered white.

[Anonymous]

"I'm Hispanic" is not a valid answer to "Where are you from?"... because "Hispanic" is not a place, and there are actually many countries it refers to. So that's probably the reason that people are asking where you're actually from - so they can ask more about it, try to figure out whether they've been there and can relate or share stories, etc.

[Anonymous]

When someone speaks with an accent, I do ask where they’re from. I certainly hope I’m not offending anyone - it’s simply that I want to know more about them. I would never ask that of someone without an accent, however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I'm Hispanic" is not a valid answer to "Where are you from?"... because "Hispanic" is not a place, and there are actually many countries it refers to. So that's probably the reason that people are asking where you're actually from - so they can ask more about it, try to figure out whether they've been there and can relate or share stories, etc.

It’s this. People expect either a country or a US state as a response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When someone speaks with an accent, I do ask where they’re from. I certainly hope I’m not offending anyone - it’s simply that I want to know more about them. I would never ask that of someone without an accent, however.

Don’t do this. It can definitely be offensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"I'm Hispanic" is not a valid answer to "Where are you from?"... because "Hispanic" is not a place, and there are actually many countries it refers to. So that's probably the reason that people are asking where you're actually from - so they can ask more about it, try to figure out whether they've been there and can relate or share stories, etc.

It’s this. People expect either a country or a US state as a response.

+1

I’m Hispanic and of course people want to know what country I’m from or my parents are from. It’s not a big deal, I’m not ashamed of my roots or heritage so I always answer. Also, this is probably the first question that comes up among Hispanics to what country are you from? It’s just conversation and a way to get to know people.

[Anonymous]

I'm white from a minority majority city. AA and white people never believe I'm from there.

[Anonymous]

When I answer that I'm originally from Pittsburgh, I'm asked where I'm really from. It's veiled racism. They are trying to stereotype you and you don't fit their mental image of what you should be, so they discredit your answer.

How does that work? People can already see that you are Asian. Why is it veiled racism and stereotyping trying to learn if you are of Chinese or Taiwanese decent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look, I just turned 54. I'm an American born of Chinese descent. I have no Chinese accent. I actually speak Mandarin with a slight American accent (slight enough that most people don't think I'm American, but Chinese think I'm Taiwanese and Taiwanese think I'm from China).

And yet, I still routinely have people ask where I'm from. When I answer that I'm originally from Pittsburgh, I'm asked where I'm really from. It's veiled racism. They are trying to stereotype you and you don't fit their mental image of what you should be, so they discredit your answer.

Saturday school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When someone speaks with an accent, I do ask where they’re from. I certainly hope I’m not offending anyone - it’s simply that I want to know more about them. I would never ask that of someone without an accent, however.

Don’t do this. It can definitely be offensive.

I agree that asking only people who have an accent where they are from can be racist. Personally I ask just about everyone where they are from but I’ve always lived among people who move around a lot. The key is taking people at there word. If a person with an accent responds “florida“ then that’s their answer. By pushing the topic you are possibly forcing a topic they don’t wish to talk about or simply making them feel “other” ...both are just rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

When I answer that I'm originally from Pittsburgh, I'm asked where I'm really from. It's veiled racism. They are trying to stereotype you and you don't fit their mental image of what you should be, so they discredit your answer.

How does that work? People can already see that you are Asian. Why is it veiled racism and stereotyping trying to learn if you are of Chinese or Taiwanese decent?

Because PP isn't from China or Taiwan! He or she is from freaking Pittsburgh! It's racism and stereotyping to assume that an Asian person is foreign or can't really be from the US. If you must be so bold as to ask what someone's ethnicity is, then use the right words. What is your ethnicity? Not "where are you from" because they're from Pittsburgh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

When I answer that I'm originally from Pittsburgh, I'm asked where I'm really from. It's veiled racism. They are trying to stereotype you and you don't fit their mental image of what you should be, so they discredit your answer.

How does that work? People can already see that you are Asian. Why is it veiled racism and stereotyping trying to learn if you are of Chinese or Taiwanese decent?

Because PP isn't from China or Taiwan! He or she is from freaking Pittsburgh! It's racism and stereotyping to assume that an Asian person is foreign or can't really be from the US. If you must be so bold as to ask what someone's ethnicity is, then use the right words. What is your ethnicity? Not "where are you from" because they're from Pittsburgh.

This. The PP isn't "really" from China or Taiwan. He or she is "really" from Pittsburgh. Just like I am not "really" from Germany, even though my grandparents were born there. I'm "really" from California. But no one asks me where I'm "really" from, because I'm white and so apparently I can "really" be American. If you want to know where someone's family is from originally, then ask that, not "No, where are you *really* from?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When people ask me where I am from I don't say I'm AA, I say I'm from New York. Why not just tell people where you were born rather than your ethnicity?

This. Just say what country or state you are from.