I hate it when people ask me "where are you from"?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: The Internets
Posts: 8,266
I hate it when people ask me "where are you from"?
Okay, I have a slight accent that most people can't really place, but it is no excuse.
I can't say "rare" without triggering the question.
It's a loaded question. What does it mean? Where was I born? Where do I live now? Where do I consider home to be? What passports do I carry?
I never know what to answer, so I default to where I live now.
I can't say "rare" without triggering the question.
It's a loaded question. What does it mean? Where was I born? Where do I live now? Where do I consider home to be? What passports do I carry?
I never know what to answer, so I default to where I live now.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
I always ask in return:
Do you mean the country of my passport?
The country of my legal residence?
The country where I spend the most time?
The country where I am going to or coming from?
The country where I am planning to settle down at some point?
Do you mean the country of my passport?
The country of my legal residence?
The country where I spend the most time?
The country where I am going to or coming from?
The country where I am planning to settle down at some point?
#4
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
being an exchange student, some of my friends can already be my spokesperson. Usually I just give them confusing answers. (Note. my accent is slightly americanized from school and i've been i HK for 17 years. I was in London,UK for most of my degree)
When I say I'm from Canada they all have a ? on top of their head!
When I say I'm from Canada they all have a ? on top of their head!
#6
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX, PSP
Programs: SPG & CO Plat.
Posts: 3,143
I'm Guilty
I ask this question all the time - accents interest me and I like speaking with those from lands other than mine.
I suppose I could become more closed-minded and rather than welcome those with accents I could complain to homeland security, if you would prefer.
On a serious note, I didn't realize it was an annoying question.
I suppose I could become more closed-minded and rather than welcome those with accents I could complain to homeland security, if you would prefer.
On a serious note, I didn't realize it was an annoying question.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS
Posts: 3,534
Maybe they're just being friendly and trying to strike up a conversation? You have to start somewhere after all and if it's a fellow traveller they may have some interest in finding out where other travellers are from..
Just saying there may not be some nefarious purpose about it.
Just saying there may not be some nefarious purpose about it.
#9
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
Okay, I have a slight accent that most people can't really place, but it is no excuse.
I can't say "rare" without triggering the question.
It's a loaded question. What does it mean? Where was I born? Where do I live now? Where do I consider home to be? What passports do I carry?
I never know what to answer, so I default to where I live now.
I can't say "rare" without triggering the question.
It's a loaded question. What does it mean? Where was I born? Where do I live now? Where do I consider home to be? What passports do I carry?
I never know what to answer, so I default to where I live now.
Does it matter?-of course not.But it is a general set of questions that"polite"society deems a respectable topic of conversation.And while you might get bored/frustrated with the question It is fascinating to others,and while you might not wish to be part of other folks education(I know this not to be the case)You cannot deny you might hold some curiosity of other peoples background.
I often err on the side of politese when I am burning to talk to someone of a different background-and find myself poorer for this.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
holtju2-International Man of Mystery
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
A lot of the "traditional" questions to "place" people are increasingly outmoded.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Seattle
Programs: Ephesians 4:31-32
Posts: 10,690
I ask everybody (with or without an accent) where they are from, because I am genuinely interested in people and want to learn more about them.
It is simply a normal, polite question which can probably only be avoided by refusing to talk to people.
It is simply a normal, polite question which can probably only be avoided by refusing to talk to people.
#15
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Here! (Or there - I'm not sure)
Programs: Peon in all
Posts: 4,358
I do have a slight speech impediment, so I get asked this many times.
A few weeks ago, I was in Home Depot with my friend. He was born in Poland, but has lived in the US for over 20 years, However, he still has an accent.
When the clerk asked him, he said "Poland". When he asked me, I said (truthfully) "10 miles from here"!
A few weeks ago, I was in Home Depot with my friend. He was born in Poland, but has lived in the US for over 20 years, However, he still has an accent.
When the clerk asked him, he said "Poland". When he asked me, I said (truthfully) "10 miles from here"!