Is it rude to ask what Ethnicity you are?

Answer 1

It depends how long you've known the person. It is rude to ask as soon as you meet someone, but if you've known them for a while, you can ask tactfully (ie- what is your heritage?).

Answer 2

No, it's not rude to ask someone's ethnicity in a dignified way. Some people voluntarilly say their ethnicity. This can aide in better answering, relating and interpretating from their cultural experience or perspective.

Answer 3

In a perfect world it shouldn't matter.

However given that this is by far from a perfect world, for some it becomes an issue.

Look within yourself and look at the person your asking. Is it because it would matter to you that you feel the need to ask? Then do it carefully. It's not a matter of being politically correct or being rude, it's just that in the grand scheme of things, it's really not all that important. Period.

Otherwise, it's not important.

Answer 4

I don't think so, as long as you do it in a respectfull way. Maybe if you start out by complamenting them about something. "I don't mean to be rude, but you have such pretty hair/eyes/whatever, would you mind if I asked what ethnicity you are?"

My boyfriend's half Taiwanese, half Italian, and when I first met him, I was really curious about what ethnicity he was. He's got long, straight black hair, brown eyes, high cheek bones (yummy) and olive skin. Eventually I just blurted it out. He laughed and told me, had no problem with it at all. :)

Answer 5

i ought to under no circumstances ask someone what their ethnicity is yet I do ask the position they're from because i favor to study about diverse cultures and different aspects of the international first hand. i'm requested each and every of the time throughout go back and forth the position i'm from and that i don't experience they're being rude; purely curious!

Answer 6

It depends on the context and how you are asking the question. If it is a survey, then it is okay, but if it is for something serious like test or something in the way of discrimination, then it is rude.

Answer 7

No, not at all. I'm Samoan, I get asked this question all the time because most folks can't tell. For me, I'd rather someone ask me than guess. I can't speak for everyone, but I think it holds true. Much better to ask than to guess or assume. That's rude to me more than anything- guessing or assuming.

Answer 8

It is pending on the reason you ask.If your dating on-line and ask Than I say No.That makes you racist.Why do you care if someone thinks your rude.Don't be so damn politically correct. That crap is ridiculous.If you only want to date a certain race, than I say go for it. That's called being selective...not rude.

Answer 9

i agree with girl wonder... i think if you start with a compliment a person will realize that you are not trying to be disrespectful and will probably want to tell you more about them. i actually think that asking the question in those words is the most respectful way to ask that question

Answer 10

Not really it all depends on how you come off about it. Like at where I work we have all kinds of different races and we're laid back about it, when someone new starts we let them work with us and let them know we're good people then we ask and share.