I have always been bad at comebacks. I can never think on the spot. I always stew and think of good responces hours after the fact. Can you think of something to say back to this.
You look like your Italian!!
I know it doesnt seem like an insult. My boyfriend is not the same as me, heritage wise and when I am introduced to girls from his culture, they always say this to me. I do not know how to respond. I know they do not mean it in a nice way from their tone of voice. If I say "No, I don't", it sounds like I do not think its good to be Italian. If I say "thank you", it seems I am trying to be something I am not. How can I respond?
2006-10-19 08:19:43 · 30 answers · asked by jr90292 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I am Irish with dark hair and eyes. they clearly know I am not italian
2006-10-19 08:26:51 · update #1
I'd say, Sorry I'm not, but I can make a mean spaghetti dinner!
2006-10-19 23:19:59 · answer #1 · answered by Lydia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I see no reason to take the remark as a compliment or an insult. After all, it's not as if being Italian makes someone superior or inferior.
If I were you, my standard response would probably be to shrug and say "If you say so".
2006-10-19 16:26:37 · answer #2 · answered by Bramblyspam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, if you were Chinese, then I could understand the confusion, but it's not that serious. Just say, "Oh, really? No, I'm not Italian". Ask them where they're from or something. Compliments don't need comebacks.
2006-10-19 16:17:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can always say, well yes i do have a lil italian in me, when im doing it with my bf! and make sure to give a big grin when you say it to! That is if your bf is italian, if not go by what his heritage is! Always fun thing to say.
2006-10-19 22:05:11 · answer #4 · answered by sparky_butt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am actually Irish. However, I do not understand why they are commenting on your heritage or why you are concerned with what they think. And i am not sure how you think they clearly know you are not Italian. Just a bit confused by your statement. But Good luck and God bless
2006-10-19 15:38:34 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Just say "Thank you!" with a big smile and a ton of enthusiam.
If they look at you strangely, just say "I'm actually Irish, but I've always thought Italian women were gorgeous!" and smile brightly.
That way, you've corrected their assumption, without making them feel stupid.
2006-10-19 16:30:54 · answer #6 · answered by sylvia 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just put it back on them and ask "What makes you think that?" or "Is there a certain look that Italian's have?".
I worked with a lot of people who were Italian and must say that they didn't look alike. Some of them had blonde hair, others had red, but most of them were brunette.
2006-10-19 15:31:12 · answer #7 · answered by Mimi 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i think you might be reading too much into it. if you're not italian, just say you're not, i don't see how that can be snobby or whatever; it's just a fact. if you ARE and you don't think you look italian, well that is just way too confusing!
anyhow, there's nothing much you can say, just smile, or say 'people always tell me that' or whatever. don't sweat it. i mean, don't worry about a response, just say "really?" or something else equally vague. it's no big deal unless you or your boyfriend make it a big deal.
2006-10-19 15:25:18 · answer #8 · answered by KJC 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I suck at this too, but how about confronting them head on? Rather than simply trading back-handed compliments, say something like "Wow! You make that sound like an insult!"
That'll put them back on the defensive. Now they'll have to scramble and say things like "oh, I didn't mean it that way" or maybe they'd just be speechless. They might be surprised at being called on their catty games.
2006-10-19 15:25:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
You can say something like, "Why do you say that?" If they respond you have dark eyes, etc., then you can say, "Why I'm Irish, can't you tell?" And smile!
You can also comeback with something mean like "Well, you look like an idiot!" However, you said that those making the statement are not intending to be mean or demeaning. So, I would reserve the mean comments for those who deserve them.
2006-10-19 16:08:57 · answer #10 · answered by Malika 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Why worry about it? I'm sure they don't mean anything by it. They are just making conversation.Just say no I'm not in a normal regular tone of voice and drop it. Let them wonder what your nationality is then. You don't owe them any explanations.
2006-10-19 22:35:04 · answer #11 · answered by pinkrosegreeneyes bluerose 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋