How Come People Always Get My Ethnic Background Wrong?

Question

Like they always ask "Are you chinese?" or any other asian nationality when I'm not. I'm filipino. This happens all the time. It's annoying too.
And they always ask my sister if she's mexican when she's filipino.
Why can't people just ask if they're curious what's my ethnic background and stop assuming something within a question.
You don't see me going around asking white people "You look Swedish" or black people you look "Ethopian".
Why does it always happen to asian folks? What is this world coming to?

Thanks for the vent!

Answer 1

People are not smart enough just to ask, I'm half Filipino and half Scottish. I had a guy walk up to me and look at me and told me he does black people's hair. I've been to San Diego and everyone speaks Spanish to me. I look more Hawiian than anything, but people assume all the time with me. Drives me nuts, but I don't stress anymore about it. People are just weirdo's! OMG I even had an airline stuartess ask me why I didn't buy 3 airline tickets (just my daughter and I were flying). I said 3???? She said what about her, I said ASK HER MOM, there happen to be a Hispanic girl sitting next to us but didn't look anything like us. ARGH, she assumed since we had brown eyes, skin and hair we were together. I was not PLEASED! Hang in there, just let it fall like rain!

Answer 2

I dont find anything wrong in people asking you about your ethnicity. Your face may appear to them as that of a chinese, so they are asking. You dont get annoyed if the same question is asked in a different way like what is your ethnic background.It is common for a foreighner to ask this question like where do you come from. The same thing is not asked in one^s own country. Be cool and plainly say you are a fillipino.

Answer 3

Oh sweetie, I'm sorry. I am guilty of confusing Vietnamese with Koreans. I don't say it, but I think it. But what I did learn is that Chinese seems to have the restaurants, Koreans have clothes & hair stores and Vietnamese does the nails & waxing. I dont have much expereince with Filipinos. But the guys are HOT!

And it is not just Asians, I have trouble telling the difference in Hispanics too, I confuse them with bi-racial people & Native Americans.

Answer 4

I agree it is very annoying, and it is rude. The other question is "where are you from?" From Oregon you dolt. FYI, I'm causasian, and when I'm in Europe people ask me all the time, are you Danish or Norwegian? So, it isn't just an asian thing or an American thing, but just rude insensitive people. Just because someone is curious, doesn't make it okay to ask a personal question. Do I walk up to fat people and say, how much do you weigh? No. People always walk up to me and ask "how tall are you?" Again, none of your business; taller than you. Big deal, I'm tall, does that give someone the right to just walk up and ask me? People should get a clue and be sensitive to other people. It is just plain good manners. Am I wrong?

Answer 5

It's nothing more than ignorance. If people don't look Black or White, then the only two other ethnicities they know are Chinese or Mexican. If someone is unsure of another's ethnicity or race, he/ she should just ask, instead of assuming.

Answer 6

It happens to everyone at some point I think. I am like you, though. Why not just ask your background and not make bad guesses! It's like trying to guess what state people are from by their accents, too. Just ask! I don't think you should get too bent out of shape about it because some people are just plain dumb. Maybe you could just ask them if, because they seem so curious, they have a learning disability. Bet that would stop some of them!

By the way, I am old, guess my age! :o)

Answer 7

I guess it's because they don't want to offend you by asking what ethnicity you are. They probably figure that if they take a stab at it they might get it right. Plus, I don't think most people realize that Filipinos are another nationality. Actually, if people don't know, they should just keep their mouths shut.

Answer 8

I don't know why...I'm sorry to hear. If I'm really curious myself I'll ask you without assuming if you look really interesting. Otherwise I'll stick to the conversation between me and you and ignore the fact of what background you are because it's all about the inside and not you on the outside.

Answer 9

When I go to Europe, people always ask me if I am Swedish, even Swedish people. It doesn't bother me.

Answer 10

hey look on the bright side on here your a one inch grey box with two dots for eyes and a line for a mouth so no one can judge you!!