Reply to Is there a non-offensive way to ask where someone’s ancestors are from?

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Reply to "Is there a non-offensive way to ask where someone’s ancestors are from?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

It's sad that the culture of perceived microaggression has made asking someone where they are from a loaded question. I grew up understanding that this a basic conversation starter. SO much better than "what do you do?"

Agree with PP that asking if they grew up in the area is a reasonable alternative.[/quote]

Well, sure, if you ask everybody, "Where are you from?" Do you do that? And what if OP's child's friend's mother answers, "Virginia"?[/quote]

OP here. Yes, I do ask most new friends that. I am not from DC and I find it’s a nice chit chat topic. And if she said Virginia I would probably ask “which part?” and if she grew up around here I’d probably say “oh what high school did you go to?” This would seem like normal small talk to me.

Is it a crime to be culturally curious? Am I supposed to pretend I don’t notice? I have a good friend who is ethnically Persian but she just said so. And references it frequently. I appreciate that.

I promise I am not a troll and I’m honestly trying to do the right thing. Based on responses here, I will continue to say nothing about it at all.[/quote]

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