if someone were to ask your ethnicity, would you tell them or say it is none of their business?

Question

why do people NEED to know anyway? why would a total stranger ask such a question?

Answer 1

I sure would tell them, I am very proud of my heritage.

Answer 2

I don't know what YOUR skin color is, but white people are very used to such questions. If one has pale "Nordic" hair but dark "Latin" eyes, it wouldn't be at all unusual to be asked one's ethnic heritage. It's not a matter of "needing" to know, as if we're going to treat people of Greek ancestry differently, it's just general conversation, rather like asking pale, freckled redheads how Irish they are. As our cultural norm becomes "treat everyone alike, no matter what their skin color" then non-whites will start getting such questions too.

Unless you have a very, very good reason to believe that the person wants to know for some offensive purpose -- refusing to serve persons with a Samoan grandparent, for instance -- then assume that their thought is "I wonder where you got such wonderful hair and skin!"

Answer 3

It could be general interest. It could be looking for common ground. A means to connect and bond with someone. For some people, history is everything to them.

Yes I would tell someone my ethnicity. Maybe not if say, I was checking out at the grocery store and the cashier who I've never said a word to in my life asked me what my background was. But if it was someone who I had the opportunity to get to know more of, then yes, I'd tell.

Native American, Scottish, Irish, British, Italian.

Answer 4

That is up to you, but 'none of your business' should be damned appropriate for such a rude thing for another person to ask you!

Answer 5

Typically people only ask this when you look as though you could be from several different ethnicities. Of course it really is not their business, but unless they are being totally rude, or belligerent, mostly they are just curious. I would just answer the question and keep going.

Answer 6

For me to answer such a question is nothing as to polite .Any way it 's means a lot in which way this quetion being asked and is it's leads to somthing alse as coversation or reaction

Answer 7

If asked by a total stranger I would tell them and also ask them the same question.

Answer 8

Sometimes people can't tell by looking at someone where they are from. So they ask. Some people ask out of curiosity.
I don't mind. I'm one of those curious people.
But I'm fortunate because I have had the opportunity to live among so many different cultures, I can usually tell what ethnicity someone is.

Answer 9

a lot of people ask me because of my last name. They assume that it is puerto rican or some sort of hispanic name. But, I am caucasian and my skin tone is very light. In reality it is portugese but, it amazes me how many people ask me about it. I really don't care. Here's another example...one day I was at the playground with a little boy that I watch. A lady asked me "what is he" I answered that "he is almost 2" I knew what she meant but, I thought her question was rude. I thought that would have been the end of our conversation but she corrected me asking what his nationality is? Some people are just nervy I guess.

Answer 10

Try why would a totally sstranger ask but on the other hand I would tell I have no shame in being black. like James brown say Say it loud I'm black and I'm proud.

Answer 11

If they ask because they are interested in me as a person then I would be proud to tell them of my ethnic background.
If they ask to see if I fit in to some affirmative action program then, they can take a hike.