A lot of people, upon meeting me, think I am Mexican. But I'm not. I'm Spanish, and there IS a differance. My parents imigrated to America from Spain when I was a few months old. What's the best way to tactfully correct someone who gets mixed up?
2006-12-18 10:20:49 · 9 answers · asked by hottie_spaniard 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Just smile and explain that your family is from Spain, not Mexico. Assuming it was an innocent mistake (and not someone with hostility to Mexicans) correct them in a pleasant way so as not to embarrass them. "I get that a lot, but my parents came here from Spain"
People don't usually mean to be insensitive, treat it as an opportunity to get to know you better.
2006-12-18 10:30:53 · answer #1 · answered by Joan Crawford 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
There's not really a tactful way to say it, but if it's necessary to do so, I would just come out say that you're not from Mexico. I think that's a touchy situation, and it comes down to choosing your battles. You can't individually tell each person you meet that you're Spanish, not Mexican. So tell the people who make the comment that you think you're going to be around later. After all, if you're never going to see them again, they can make all the ignorant assumptions that they want.
2006-12-18 18:30:42 · answer #2 · answered by Gwenhwyvar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate when people do that to because Mexico is in North America and Spain is in Europe. They both speak Spanish but I am sure that it bothers you because the culture is a little different. My friends are Egyptian and everyone keeps trying to tell them that they are not african, that they are middle eastern.
2006-12-18 18:57:14 · answer #3 · answered by lavender tots 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, many people these days use the term "Spanish" to refer to people from Mexico, I suppose because they are confusing the name of the language with the name of the people who speak that language. If you think it's worth it to correct people, you can simply say, "Actually, I was born in Spain."
But please don't be offended. In many parts of the U.S., the only kind of Spanish-speakers that people have contact with are from Mexico, so they can't be expected to be able to tell the difference.
2006-12-18 20:09:34 · answer #4 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him politely. In this country, any person who speaks Spanish is assumed to be Mexican. Forget Spaniard, Honduran, Colombian... Anyone who has slanted eyes and talks funny is Chinese. Forget Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean... It's not that I approve but that's the way it is and you can't change that.
2006-12-18 18:42:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well my grandparents are spanish too but I dont look anything like a mexican so I dont have Ur problem but just say ur spanish and leave it at that ! And remeber to be nice and smile
2006-12-18 18:24:36 · answer #6 · answered by vintage flowers 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just say in a nice tone of voice, "actually my parents are from Spain"
2006-12-18 18:23:29 · answer #7 · answered by Cristine D 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Just politely tell them you are Spanish.
2006-12-18 18:22:43 · answer #8 · answered by Loli M 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
tell them you are not Mexican...
2006-12-18 18:22:54 · answer #9 · answered by Adrienne C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋