why do we get offended when asked our nationality??

Question

i have noticed many people are offended when asked what their ethinicity is. I do understand some don't want to be judged by their race, but by their person. But what kind of person are you without an ethinic backround or the history of your ancestors? I love when people ask me my nationality because it sets me apart from many other people. Im still an American, but im more than that. Im a Pacific Islander-American. I like that America is the melting pot of various races. And why arent we proud to say that?

by the way, I dont get offended if you read my question. just people i have come across get offended when THEY are asked.....please, i only read answers that are worth reading, so dont waste your time.

and the majority of you answered awesome answers. THANKS!

and in response to Dhurt: i am Yapese-American hahaha i thought i would generalize it but he asked so there it is!

Answer 1

I do not get offended one bit! Please rephrase the question to "Why Do I get offended"

Thank You.

Answer 2

It depends on how it's done. I am multiracial (a lot of Asian) but am American. I don't mind people who have traveled, or are simply curious as long as they ask politely and without a big chip on their shoulder. I'm often singled out among other friends, for example, or I can be interrupted during a conversation, or the individual asking couches the query in vulgar terms. I've had giggling teenagers ask so they can settle a bet about what I am, or people will ask loudly if I came to this country illegally, or any number of moronic sayings. People have asked me, "What are YOU supposed to be?"

That's great if you've had only positive experiences; not everyone is so lucky.

Answer 3

People get called racist now days over the slightest thing. It's getting more and more stupid. I'm a Kiwi, who lives in Australia, and it's an issue for alot of people all the time. I know who I am and where I come from. I never get offended to tell people where I am from, and I'm never afraid to ask someone where they are from. I personally love dating mixed races or other races over Caucasian men because they have more morals and respect for their families and elders. Your right when you say that history and ancestry is important.

Answer 4

Nationality isn't so difficult to answer, and wouldn't warrant one to be offended, but ethnicity is different. Too many people have a stick up their a** with their fear of being judged based on their ethnicity. But you know what? If you don't own it and love it, why should anyone else? No one should be offended by another person asking to know more about you. It means they're interested.

Answer 5

I am English, this is by birth and there is no other way to become English. You can by this governments decree become British by taking an exam, which rather dilutes that nationality, but then the only people allowed to have any thing other than British are the Scots, Welsh, & Irish from the original inhabitants.

Answer 6

I think its all in your head sister, I never seen anyone get offended but most Americans are too mixed to claim the 5 or 6 different ethnicites they have. Only thing that matters is where your born.

Answer 7

Hi Nicole, you are right that people should be proud of their heritage and ethnicity.....As a social worker, I interview people everyday...and I always think it's sad when someone can't talk about or doesn't know about their ethnic background...it's like they have lost something precious....although I don't notice many people being offended by the question. Perhaps it has something to do with the circumstances under which they are asked....I like the point you are trying to make. Thanks !

Answer 8

Because you should be able to look at them and see. Tell me you cant see that I'm and African American, Portuguese and Native American, from Brooklyn, NY but living in Queens, NY and will someday will live on the Moon.

Just joking.

People are just ignorant. And they want to think that they the center of everything and you should be able to tell without asking.

Peace.... And I speak a little Klingon. But of course you knew that.....

Answer 9

I think it's just that some people dont feel proud of their nationality for whatever reason...some people don't know their nationalities....some people are a lot of things and when people ask your nationality they feel pressure of saying they are the one thing. Say maybe....I know a girl who is filipina and black-She never tells her nationality simply because the pressure of being more afican american than african americans and more filipino than the filipinos. I dont know. I just dont say my nationality because there are so many in my family and i just dont want to make it seem as if i am not proud of them all.

Answer 10

IT denotes exclusivity to be in a certain group and I think we need to all be one, not all separate groups like Gays, Catholics, Veterans, Mormons, etc. It says, I am in a group and you arent. I think that America needs to stop with the African American or Chinese American. Either be an American or else go back to Africa or China. I never answer I am German American or I am Swedish American

Answer 11

I get offended because I am a mixture of alot of different races and if I tell them that they only put me down as one. And If I don't answer at all, they still put me down as the one they think I am *_*.
And I'm trying to move forward in life...I think it's just plain stupid to keep talking about that ethnic stuff when there are more important things to talk about like love lifes and so on *_*. lol