Anyone regularly get mistaken for an ethnicity that you are not and how do you react?

Question

All great answers! More than I hoped for, in fact. Found one a bit confusing, though. (Not sure if she is joking or depressed.) Never ceases to amaze me how some folks actually seem to believe that being Hispanic, Arab or even Italian, are somehow inconsistent with being Caucasian. (Race/ethnicity - two different things.) Anyway, I'm going to put this one up for a vote. Thanks again all!

Answer 1

People always asked me "Are you mixed" I respond "Mixed with what"? Gets them everytime.

Answer 2

Yeah sometimes. They think I'm caucasian instead of Hispanic. The other day this African American girl asked me something about my name.

Then I gave her a weird look and she says: "You're white aren't you?" . I just replied with a "No, why did you think that?".

I wasn't offended. Ethnicity isn't super easy to distinguish. Many people can be a certain thing although they appear to be another. As long as the person doesn't do it in an insulting manner I just don't mind it at all.

Answer 3

I'm a full-blooded Mexican, but for some reason people always ask me if I'm from India. When I say I'm not. They act surprised and then ask me where I'm really from. I never get angry at them or behave rudely. It's not their fault they don't know my ethnic makeup and can I blame them if I don't really look as Latina as some would expect me to. The only time I don't like it is when Hispanic customers hesitate to approach me, because they're not sure if I speak Spanish. Then it's a liability. But otherwise, it's not big deal.

Answer 4

I get mistaken for being Italian, Hispanic, Arabic, or any other combinantion when in fact i'm white. Sometimes I like to play along just to see people's reaction. Whatever I tell them they seem to buy it. I'm not trying to deny my own ethnicity but just to see how differntly some people respond to that.

Answer 5

I'm black but a lot of people think I am Hispanic. I had to learn to speak Spanish because people kept coming up to me and asking me questions in that language. I can now speak Spanish pretty good although I am not bi-lingual.I don't take offense to it or anything like that. It worked out for my benefit because I was able to tell my father he was being cheated at the tire and auto store. The workers were trying to sell him a used tire but it looked new.And they were going to charge him the new tire price! They were speaking in Spanish and said that the customer wouldn't know the difference. I answered them in Spanish that I would know the difference, and they were shocked!!

Answer 6

I get mistaken for Middle Eastern or southern italian. I just smile and tell them I am of Mexican descent. It's kind of fun having people guess. Nobody ever guesses my true ethnicity. To those who get offended , lighten up. We are all human.

Answer 7

Some people think I'm indian (native ameircan) and this is partly true. Some think I'm peurto rican because of my hair, but mostly people think I'm black. One even thought I was from ethiopia, but I was born here in the United states. No one tried to speak another language with me or anything.

Answer 8

When I was younger I was always asked if I was black. Now that I'm older I get asked if I'm hispanic or native american. I don't mind, doesn't bother me at all. I just tell them I'm a regular white boy. It would piss me off if they mistook me for a dog or a pig or something, but not another ethnic group.

Answer 9

Yes I get asked a great deal if I'm from the middle east I simply say "No but I do get that a lot" with a kind smile no need to be rude or anything.

Answer 10

I am as caucasian as they get. I just don't tan. People often ask me if I am a ghost. I normally don't answer them. I just look at them and float away through a wall or something just to freak them out a little.

Answer 11

I'm Caucasian with an olive complexion. I've had people speak Spanish to me because of my complexion and brunette hair color. I just politely let them know I am English speaking.