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

[Anonymous]

Did this OP ever say what country? Damn sure not Puerto Rican them peeps say it loud and proud,, but my favorite is "hey what part of puerto rico are you from" Answers,, "The Bronx"

[Anonymous]

Ever get the feeling people are just making small talk OP? People ask me where I’m from all the time. Lol I’m from famous town in blah blah state. Really OP get over yourself?

[Anonymous]

^^ And the same when people think I work at the store. Where’s the flour? It’s on aisle 2. I don’t give it another thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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?"

Ok, noted. So it's only racist if asked in exactly that form?
I'm a foreigner and those questions don't bother me at all. Usually people just try to make conversation.

No, it's only racist if you only ask people who are not white where they are really from. If a white person answered they were from Pittsburgh, would you try to find out if their mother is from Germany or their father from Poland? If a person does not have an accent, why would you assume that the person's ethnicity is relevant and a conversation starter? I know many people like me who have absolutely no knowledge of their family ancestry or customs.

What people don't realize is that in the 1950's to 1970's there were many families and Asian Americans who suffered a lot of racism and abuse from anti-Japanese sentiment post-WWII. During that time, it was very common for Asian Americans to raise their children completely American and to hide their family ethnicity and culture. So I know households where it was forbidden to speak the original native language, they did not teach their children the native language and they did not pass on any of the cultural heritage. They wanted their children to be as American as possible to avoid racism and abuse. It was also common that Asian families hung prominent American flags outside their homes and proudly showed their patriotism for America to ensure they were "proud Americans" and not from Asia. Racial abuse--physical, social and emotional--was very common against Asians in that era. And there are many of us that a children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren who were completely sheltered from their cultural heritage and forbidden to learn about it. So, it can be a sensitive topic to try to pry into a heritage or cultural background that has been suppressed. I know many people including my family and friends who suffered some form of abuse for being Asian.

So you can try to pry into someone's cultural heritage, but if they're Asian, don't be surprised if they resist your efforts to try to pidgen-hole them as Asian just for your conversational kicks if they give you non-Asian answers. They may not identify or known much about their heritage.

OMG who hadn’t had that drummed into their heads by this point?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did this OP ever say what country? Damn sure not Puerto Rican them peeps say it loud and proud,, but my favorite is "hey what part of puerto rico are you from" Answers,, "The Bronx"

I actually know people like this, more power to them!

[Anonymous]

All these people so sincere. I think OP trying to Be Hispanic instead of ....

[Anonymous]

Hispanic here.

Latinos are considered ethnic just like Jews because: skin color doesn’t define Hispanics. They can be African. White Asian, Jewish, white , Native American Latinos or a mix!!

So everyone has different looks and skin color but culturally they define themselves as such.

Learned this in class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did this OP ever say what country? Damn sure not Puerto Rican them peeps say it loud and proud,, but my favorite is "hey what part of puerto rico are you from" Answers,, "The Bronx"

I actually know people like this, more power to them!

Haha! My husband is Puerto Rican.

We didn’t understand why some people in this area just tell stories with “Back in my country...” without ever saying the country. Puerto Rican’s would never be so vague.

[Anonymous]

Tell them you’re from outer space and walk away. WGAFF

[Anonymous]

Q: Why do people ask where I’m from if they don’t believe me.

A: maybe because you go out of your way not to answer the damn question. And the later maybe they find out you think everyone out there is out to get you.

Here’s a hint: no one actually cares. Rap if you have nothing to talk about, that will make people care less even faster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH gets this a lot. It really does depend on how it is asked. if it is as simple as, "that is such an unusual name, what is the origin?" and asked with curiosity...fine. He is friendly, talkative and just as lovely in response.

However, if it is a "your English is so great!" type of person, which we have encountered way more often, his reaction is:

Stranger: Where are you from?
Him: Virginia
S: No, I mean where are you from??
Him:Oh? You mean originally? Sorry. I'm from Maryland, but now we live in Virginia.
S: Uh...I mean, where were you born?
Him: Oh, I didn't understand. I was born in DC. If you're asking my heritage, my parents are from X.

It cracks me up to no end when he does this, bc he's speaking straight up north American unaccented English, and these type of people just won't see past their assumptions that he must not be from here.

I have so many friends that have this exact conversation with people. Repeatedly. One is from North Carolina but grew up on Long Island, but neither of those answers are good enough for people who want to know where her grandparents immigrated from 60 years ago. My husband's best friend will flat-out not give his ethnicity unless someone specifically asks - it's funny to watch because apparently people think it's fine to ask obliquely but become very uncomfortable when they have to ask directly.

[Anonymous]

It’s my sister’s go to line. She is so annoying. I hate it.

[Anonymous]

Because answering "where are you from" with "I'm Hispanic" does not make any sense. Kind of like answering "How are you" with "the sky is blue". People are confused that you don't have a grasp of the English language.

[Anonymous]

Haha

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because answering "where are you from" with "I'm Hispanic" does not make any sense. Kind of like answering "How are you" with "the sky is blue". People are confused that you don't have a grasp of the English language.

This is basically what I said back on page 2, but in a different way. It's not a valid answer to the question.