Would you ask the 'where are you from' question just after you're introduced to someone? Why/why not? If yes, why do you think it's so important for you to know it?
2006-11-23 09:33:54 · 13 answers · asked by Greenfields 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Guys, why do most of you answer only one part of my question? They're both connected!
2006-11-23 09:50:58 · update #1
I hate when people ask me that after they just met me. Those same people like to judge people and play into stereotypes.
I cant stand people that think about race and ethnicity constantly and let it run their lives and influence their decisions.
2006-11-23 09:42:48 · answer #1 · answered by juju 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We believe that nationality defines us, though here in the melting pot of America, it is much more difficult to discern someone's nationality, since we do not share any group of physical characteristics, and few customs. Those customs we share are mostly national ones, Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Veteren's Day, etc.
Despite this, we practice nationalism, we are unabashed flag wavers,and American travelers abroad have the reputation for taking our way of life with us on vacation, and insist on practicing it, not immersing ourselves in someone else's culture, often putting it down. We can be spotted as American tourists readily, by our dress, our blunt speaking, and our superior attitude.
Really, I do not think it is politically correct to ask some one what country they are from. I myself would cringe a bit, wondering what the next question will be. We Americans often, and have long used, how long our ancestors have been here, and what country they are from, as a class distinction [division]. And I have already mentioned how we hold ourselves above foreigners, even if in reality, we are the foreigners in someone else's country.
It is not important to me to know where someone came from. If they want to tell me about it, fine, I would love to hear about it, and would consider it a good learning experience..I do not think I would ask.
2006-11-23 18:37:05 · answer #2 · answered by riversconfluence 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Race defines us. Nationality just defines where we live. In the US, for example, people who are American citizens have that nationality, whether their parents came from China, Finland or Samoa.
Why do people ask 'where are you from?' when they are introduced? It's a way of making conversation. I frequently do this with people who are of my own race, ethnic and cultural group. Even if we live in the same city, establishing what part of the city we are from can help build bonds, and is a good starting point for a conversation.
2006-11-23 17:44:07 · answer #3 · answered by old lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well i get asked that 'where are you from?' question on numerous occasions from people, and so its only fair if i posed that exact question to them also. i think its important to do this, just so to clear up any misconceptions and assumptions people have of us. people may get fed up of doing this- and yet for me, i don't mind at all when they ask where i am from originally. people who don't ask, tend to judge or make assumptions, and some of it is often wrong or incorrect. but i for one don't see this as a form of ignorance, if you understand what i mean. yet its not just nationality that makes us who we are, other factors which come into play and of which make us unique and individual from every other human being is things like, gender, sexuality, age, race, class etc. but nationality and the country where we originally came from, is one of the most important socio-ethnographic categories. i'd say i have two nationalities: and yet on my british passport for example, it actually says nationality and next to it 'british'. therefore and technically speaking, i have joint nationalities, thus making me chinese british. though in response to the above question, i'd say yes nationality is one of the defining aspects of being a human being on this earth; alas, people should be proud of where they come from as well as their roots
2006-11-23 18:43:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes i ask where someone is from should i wish to prolong the conversation. because i am welsh i get what part of wales are you from ? or your not local where are you from? i am extremely proud to be welsh - balcher cymraeg !!!! it does define who i am because we have a language which the english squashed almost to exstinction but it is growing year by year. therefore if someone is not from these shores then i am intrigued to know about the country they are from. only natural after all
2006-11-24 18:29:30 · answer #5 · answered by cerys 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, after I meet someone new, I like to know where they are from. Not to judge them, but because it helps ease into a conversation, rather than an awkward silence. And, I'm curious.
2006-11-23 20:41:18 · answer #6 · answered by Seven Costanza 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i would but only because of the accent and im curious not because i prefer any nationality more than others .i think its natural if you speak to someone with a different accent you want to know where that person is from.
2006-11-24 07:33:14 · answer #7 · answered by smiler 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes I always do. I dont know why I just do. I am interested in people and you can usually tell by their names and their colouring. I can tell a lot of people where they come from by their names and also their features and colouring.
2006-11-23 17:41:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's natural to ask where someone's from, human curiosity. Even if someone's from next village you still ask and say oh whereabouts.
2006-11-23 17:44:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
it varies with different people
but their is the accent barrier and it also changes your culture
2006-11-23 18:15:18 · answer #10 · answered by liam0_m 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋