Why do random strangers keep asking me what ethnicity I am?

Question

In the past 2 months, 15 people have asked me what my ethnicity is. Most of them were strangers--both male and female. Cashiers, random people at the busstop, when I'm walking, etc...

Why? Seriously...I dont think this happens to everyone. WHY do they keep bothering me?

Xenophobia? I'm in California..where there are a lot of races intermixed..it's just seriously I don't think everyone has this problem. I get asked at least once a damn week.

hmm I was born in California and raised in Washington..so I don't have an accent either.

Answer 1

Maybe they are intrigued by you. But in any case it is totaly disrespectful and people in general should know better.

Answer 2

Oh gosh, this was a daily occurence for me when I lived in the midwest. I'm talking getting asked about my ethnicity, sometimes in a very rude way like "what are you?" by strangers multiple times a day. When I lived in NYC I got asked less, and in London way less. Some of it has to do with the culture in those places-- in the midwest it is socially acceptable to start conversations with strangers, while in London it's not so much.

Sometimes, when it is men doing the asking, it is a really bad "line" and they think I am "exotic" and they like that. That's the quickest way to make me walk away from you!

But I think the main reason strangers ask someone that is indeed xenophobia, or fear of the "other." Many people are uncomfortable with racial ambiguity. Unfortunately, most of these people are not even aware of why they really want to know (nor are they aware that their question will be considered rude by most people). Try challenging one of them and watch what happens-- they become very defensive. If the question bothers you, you are under no obligation to be polite.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I used to have platinum blonde hair and very often, people used to ask me, out of the blue, when we weren't even talking about origins, if I were Polish or Russian. I speak ordinary english like every other Canadian but for some weird reason, strangers would say, "I'm usually pretty good at guessing a person's nationality. You're from Poland, aren't you?"

NO! I'm Canadian with Irish and Scottish roots!!!!!
My hair is brown now. :)

Answer 5

some people are just curious I guess. Usually when you see a new person you start thinking and asking yourself questions. People constantly ask if my son is a boy or girl because I let his hair grow long. sry not the same I know but still. Maybe you look like someone they haven't seen before or you have a certain accent. Its natural for people to be curious.

Answer 6

Xenophobia, curiosity sparked by ambiguity, boredom...

Edit: Well, suppose you look Hispanic and people are worked up into an "anti-illegal" frenzy. That'll make them xenophobic and questioning of anyone who looks like "the other."

Answer 7

People need to communicate. Don't be so defensive. That way we learn about one another instead of just building complexes.

Answer 8

Wow that is creepy!

Hey, What is your ethnicity? LOL. Just kidding with ya. ;)

Seriously, I think they need to mind their own business!

Answer 9

I get asked that question daily, everywhere I go. It gets pretty annoying at times. I just tell them and fill their curiousity.

Answer 10

yeah I get that too. I just tell them I'm a good ol' american mut.