How should I ask a person's nationality without sounding offensive or racist?

Question

This was a discussion topic in my race and ethinicty class. I wanted sme opiinons to share with the class on Wed.

Answer 1

um if i were talking to them in a conversation id bring up my back ground. like "oh yea my familys from Ireland. How bout yours?"

Answer 2

When you ask a person what nationality s/he is,you are asking about the nation,the country,they are from;that is not racist unless you are really asking about that person's race. Nationality and race are separate things.Why do you need to know what a person's race is? Why can't you relate to the person as a human being?It does no good to act like the world is a color-blind,race neutral place;there are far too many racists all over the world. History has shown how people act towards people of different ethnic and racial groups.Don't deny that some groups of people tend to look down on others and categorize and stereotype others based on where they are from and what racial group they are.It's still going on in the 21st century.How SHOULD you ask;why do you HAVE to know?

Until this world can respect everyone, and treat everyone equally,where everyone can be proud of their backgrounds,asking a personal question like that is going to remain tricky.

Answer 3

I'm assuming you mean a person that you haven't met before or barely know.

Sorry, unless you're an immigration official or the topic has already come up in conversation, you run a huge risk of being offensive, especially if you're asking an American-born person who's obviously not Caucasian.

Why? Because his/her nationality IS American, but because of their appearance people tend to say, "no, what are you REALLY?" as if their ethnicity makes them less American.

I think some of the suggestions above about stating the fact that you are doing a survey for class, or even having a more elaborate set-up by complimenting appearance or accent (although its telling in itself that one would assume non-Caucasians would have accents) would probably help.

Asking someone bluntly to define their ethnicity to you is comparable to bluntly asking their weight or about their sexual activities.....context and sensitivity are everything!

Answer 4

Don't ask "Where do you come from?" -- that's obvious trolling for someone's nationality, and might not lead to the answer you want anyway - you might get their personal immigration story rather than their actual ethnicity or nationality - what if that person has lived in your hometown for their whole life - they come from the same place as you, even if they are a different nationality. or they could have been raised in a country different than their ethnic appearance might suggest, in which case where they came from wouldn't match their nationality either.

Figure out why you want to know their nationality in the first place - Do you want to know it to just categorize that person or judge them based on their nationality? or do you want to know it because you want more insight into that person's character or more insight into a particular nationality?

One way to gain that insight - if they have a name that is uncommon, or seems foreign to you, you can comment on their name - "Oh, your name is X, is that...?" (leave the question hanging) and let them answer. Act genuinely interested. Don't assume that they are a particular nationality based off their appearance - some people can be very proud of their nationality and would be offended if they were called by another nationality.
Like someone else mentioned, bring up your own nationality or ethnic heritage as a point of interest (and be prepared to talk about why it is important to you to bring up).

Answer 5

Just ask them politely because the chances are you are being the most sensitive about this. Political correctness is a western thing. I wouldnt get upset if someone asked me that and were all thankfully meant to be equal these days, so why would they really, unless it was asked in an offensive way?
Unless they somehow believed that the person asking the question was better than them, or they were just very paranoid how could some one think that in response to an innocent question?
Surely our roots should not be denied or swept under the carpet but celebrated?

Answer 6

Sadly, it depends on YOUR race/ethnicity/country of origin. I'm a Caucasian of Euro descent, married to a man direct from Venezuela. I once asked a guy his ethnicity (I think that's how I said it) b/c he was beautiful and I was just curious but he freaked right out on me, yelling, "What does it matter?! I mean really! That pisses me off!"
It'll be awhile before this white girl asks again. I've travelled in different countries and have never gotten that reaction. Maybe I caught him on a bad day.

Answer 7

Good Grief. Has it come to the point where we are now afraid to ask ANYTHING for fear of being racist?? Good God save me. If I wanted to know someone's nationality I would ask what country they were from, simple. How in hell can that be racist? If I ordered a glass of chocolate milk in a diner would that be racist too? Give me a break already...

Answer 8

with all due be conscious of, have you ever apart from mght observed that folk of alternative nationalities have additionally recieved the comparable scientific care as desribed on your question? it rather is not purely the blacks, however the hispanics as nicely, and the middle easterners, the Asians. you will discover it in very just about each internet dialogue board you circulate to. You point out "regulations and ordinances". that may no longer a U.S. Federal rely that catches the attention of the "ambulance chaser" Jesse Jackson. This internet web page is a international huge participational dialogue board. you're saying, "bothers and sistahs". Does that incorporate those sufferers of alternative nationalities? Or are you purely worried on your person race, "SISTAH"? IN that comparable be conscious of, are you able to apart from mght incorporate the numerous BLACK COMICS THAT MAKE YOUR human beings look undesirable whilst they GET ON point AND exercising opposite DISCRIMINATION by potential of MAKING WHITE human beings THE BUTT of their JOKES? and you additionally should word THAT THE B.E.T. CHANNEL is likewise CONTRIBUTING TO THE unlawful prepare OF opposite DISCRIMINATION. IF I SNEEZED AND by threat HIT YOUR SHOE, you will seek for each threat to instruct IT right into a RACIAL project. woman, it rather is not purely THE BLACKS. you're purely BLAMING your person dying on your color. attempt this someplace else because of the fact considerable BILLION dollar firms LIKE cellular/EXXON, MSN, YAHOO ARE just about UNTOUCHABLE. AND THE NAACP could be the 1st ONES to tell you the comparable element.

Answer 9

Whats your nationality...?

Why be afraid of asking someone's race? Its not like your going to get beat up in the street...Just ask be proud of yourself and ALL your questions...I ask all the time...-shrugs- Not that I care either way, but its a good starting off point for a conversation, cause most people will say something along the lines of...."English, french...a bit of indian....the red ones not the apu ones.." Rolls eyes- LOL so you get to ask them what they apreciate about ALL of their nationalites...
Which leads me to my next point...."IF someone can't actually tell you what they love about all of them, there is something wrong"

Answer 10

This answer may seem a bit mushy to you but its my way of asking and it has worked for me. I would first compliment the person on their apperance as in; "I think you are so beautiful, your complexion is stunning. I was wondering what nationality are you"? You may adjust it to fit the situation, but it works every time without offending anyone. It, in fact, pays a compliment to them.

Answer 11

Umm... why do you even need to know what a person's nationality is in the first place? It shouldn't affect anything, so why ask if they're not volunteering the info?