it's just very interesting to me, but I do not wish to offend anyone
2006-07-27 16:09:10 · 20 answers · asked by happy 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
"Your features are absolutely beautiful, if you don't mind my asking, what's your ethnicity?"
2006-07-27 16:13:44 · answer #1 · answered by Bright Eyes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As someone who is CONSTANTLY and RELENTLESSLY asked this question, first of all, I want to emphasize that if you are asking out of genuine interest/curiosity, THAT is different from asking someone out of just plain NOSINESS. Congratulations on recognizing that often this is intrusive to people, especially since it has absolutely nothing to do with their value as a human being. If you have any hesitation towards asking somebody that question, you simply should NOT do so. It's not like it's anybody's business. That is not something that is anyone's intrinsic right to know. Nor is anyone obligated to provide anyone else with an explanation. If you feel that you have to even ASK us what to say, you PROBABLY should not be asking people this question. That subject matter is something that may naturally come up in a conversation between you and someone else, in which case it is fine for you to ask. However, to come up with devious comments/questions designed to elicit a response is obnoxious and people can see RIGHT THROUGH THAT. Forget the "you're so beautiful" faux compliments, or asking about family heritage or anything like that. It is presumptuous to assume that the general population just wants you to know all of their business. Additionally, the "I hope you don't mind" comments are equally stupid, because if you actually "hope they don't mind", you clearly realize that you are asking something that is none of your business. It is inappropriate to go up to strangers or people you have no interest in other than to pry into something personal like this and LIKEWISE it is inappropriate to be discussing someone's ethnic background with everyone else. Someone decided to start loudly proclaiming what they heard my ethnic background was among a ROOMFUL of clients and co-workers...completely OBNOXIOUS, RUDE AND UNPROFESSIONAL. Act with some common sense and just curb your curiosity.
Additional:
It's ALSO no one's business what "country" they come from. Also, their "country" is no indicator of their ethnic background.
2006-07-27 19:44:46 · answer #2 · answered by ami 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
people ask what I am all the time. It's simple. If I like you, I don't mind. I will tell you that I am 1/2 Norwegian and 1/2 Danish. If I don't like you, I will tell you I am American and leave it at that. As long as you are polite and have a good report with this person, they shouldn't be offended.
2006-08-03 08:25:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually I compliment something that is a strong part of who they are, sometimes it's stature, sometimes it's hair, sometimes it's the eyes, then ask, like this,
Your hair is incredible, what's your heritage? I love your name, what's it mean? Does it have an emotional connection to your family, favorite aunt? What's your heritage? You have such an air of pride and accomplishment, especially when you walk, are you descended from a great leader? I can feel your presence even when you're just standing there and that's awesome.
Those are a little over the top, but I think you get the idea.
Good Luck.
2006-07-27 16:20:15 · answer #4 · answered by Ice 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just speak about your ethnic background, tell why you consider it is important to you and justify your cause. If your opponent responds to it, well, you got answer without offending. If they don't respond, forget the issue and never attempt to ask directly or indirectly about their ethnic background
2006-07-27 16:19:02 · answer #5 · answered by good_intelligent_engineer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about "Where are you from"? "I detect an accent, where are you from"?
I am an American "Military Brat". I wasn't raised in the US and I have a slight accent when I speak English. When I'm asked those questions, it is an opportunity for me to tell people of my more enlightened background than the average American's.
2006-07-27 16:13:49 · answer #6 · answered by imagineworldwide 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There could be a number of ways to induce him/her to elicit the answer.It also depends on who the person is and what is his/her educational background.You may blindly make a guess before him/her, if the guess is right you will get a nod and if not you will get a correct answer.
2006-07-27 16:46:41 · answer #7 · answered by nkmy83@yahoo.com 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just say
excuse me but can I ask you what your Ethnic background is ?
2006-08-03 10:20:58 · answer #8 · answered by tanner_1122 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just say i love your accent, where did you grow up, i get that all the time and i'm not offended, i love telling people about my country
2006-07-27 16:49:58 · answer #9 · answered by Manera 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
-ask them what their country is like (pretend you're doing some recon for a vacation or something)
-ask them how things differ there than here
-ask them when the last time they visited their home country
2006-07-27 16:14:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask their last name. And just say, "I'm curious - what nationality is that?"
My last name ends in "ski", and I get asked that question all the time.
2006-08-03 11:49:22 · answer #11 · answered by redcarol57 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋