Digital Nomads

Just answer the question. I was born in America too, and i’m “white” but when I get that question I assume they’re inquiring about my family heritage, in which I say my family is originally from England. You could try something like that, some people just want to know what country your ancestors are from, and if you don’t know you could educate yourself and it’s really cool. It’s not that hard and it shows you care about your heritage.

I get this all the time while traveling in Europe as a Latina from the US. “Oh but you don’t look American.” …? My response is usually “What exactly does an American look like?” (And they say people from the US are ignorant - lol)

As a white American, I used to ask fellow Americans this question all the time until I realized some were offended by it.

FWIW, I was just making conversation and love hearing stories about historical immigration. Some people seemed to enjoy talking about their roots and culture.

Just tell them to fuck off American style!

Google “Homogeneous cultures”. One of such cultures’ characteristics is being accepting of cultural nuances like race.

In simpler terms, if you grow up with people who only look like you, your views are limited.

Don’t get offended. Just be proud for having had the experience to know more.

Imagine how "hispanics" feel! In the US it's typically understood as a race, but it's a geographic category, and not only are there many races in that broad geography, but many different understandings of what race is.

If that’s all your issue is and you’re complaining.. NICE PRIVILEGE

My mother in law is Mexican/European but is 2nd generation American. She proclaims she is American, not Latina. She dislikes when people see her brown skin, brown eyes, curly hair and say she’s a Latina. Even her husband describes her as “Latina.” Not because she’s not proud of it, but because she feels that ostracized from her predominantly “White-American” lifestyle and says it typically divides people.

We used to butt heads about it when I first started coming around (I’m Central American). But I began to realize it’s all perspective really. Those who are divided because just have a heavily-influenced perspective.

Met a guy in Mexico who was ethnically Guatemalan and riding down there to visit family. He was cagey about where he lived which we didn't understand, we’re from NZ so 🤷‍♀️. Chatting about our trips and he says “about” - oh, so you're Canadian 😂

Are you getting this from other expats? I tend to not hang out with other Americans or Europeans and I'm also Latino and no one's ever asked me this in Korea, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan or Vietnam.

It's even funnier when you remember, that what people mean under "American" nowadays isn't even American.

The worst people who ask me where I’m from tbh are African Americans 😬 In La Asians, Latinos,white people never ask but African Americans always want to know an exact breakdown of my ethnicity it’s annoying tbh

I have been asked this as a white American in certain (see: xenophobic) countries. Where they can't comprehend Americans not looking not just white, but like a specific kind of white. I am very Slavic in appearance so it surprises western European countries especially that I don't look like them I guess.

I have to say it's the most confusing question out there, because like you said American isn't an ethnicity unless you're Native. As a woman, I usually play the dumb card by giving the same answer over and over, and make them continually ask until they either give up or have to be explicitly racist/xenophobic because they've rephrased the question.

Not to detract from the overall conversation, but I blame Hollywood a lot in this. A lot of box office hits are still white-centric.

American isnt a race! American =/= white

Isnt that true with every nationality?

"Japanese" is a nationality. Somebody who has Japanese citizenship is Japanese, regardless of their race. No?

It's so stupid that people get offended at this shit. You're extremely individualistic, but then if someone thinks you don't specifically fit into a group that's offensive. It's fucking stupid. Whoever is asking that question most likely really wants to know. They probably care about the individual that you value in yourself. And they're showing legitimate interest in your individuality. Fucking be grateful that somebody gives a shit, dick head

Eh let it go, they don't know any better. Honestly a majority of us don't either. Wanna see?

How many of you, off the top of your head, can clearly explain the difference between race, nationality, and ethnicity?

Uh huh, thought so.

Now let's speak on linguistics. Are these constructs of the English language, and are there equivalences to the local language regarding these differences? Who cares if you can explain it if there is no direct translation in their own language, they'll just never get it.

same thing with “British”

I once had my boss saying “how come your Brazilian? You’re blonde!” I froze, I didn’t know what to say. A coworker thankfully replied “this is SO racist and ignorant”.

It's just genuine, innocent curiosity, so take it with a smile and share your story with people who are kind enough to listen instead of trying to read between the lines and turn it into something sour IMO

Asian man living in NYC here. I can't even get into a damn Uber without having this conversation.

"So where you from?"

"You just picked me up from my house."

"You know what I mean."

"I sure do."

I just say California. People like that.

My favorite was “I have been to Doral in Miami. What was interesting to me was that even though everyone was Latino, all the houses were like… normal. They were kept nice and all”

Like if you are Latino you are expected to live in a ghetto….

I would have asked the same because it wouldn’t cross my mind to say ethnicity since nationality and citizenship are not the same

i get this. i’m Yu’pik and Athabascan, so Alaska Native. natives to most people look asian. i feel like im playing russian roulette with others when i talk to them because i know the question is coming.

“So! Where ya from?”

i tell them im native and i get three responses (one or a combo lmfao)

• wow! so you’re asian? because natives crossed the land bridge, so you’re asian, right? - no, we have different cultures, different languages, and highly different histories. i am Alaska Native.

• racism. not gonna list any specific ones here but its common.

• wow! nice! - and then the conversation moves on. this is acceptable.

its gotten to the point where i dont want to interact with just anyone, and that makes me sad :-// i used to love to talk to different people. but you can really only take so much before it takes a mental toll on you. i hope you get some peace, op.

Yeah, as an Asian-American, I've adjusted to saying "I'm from the US, but my parents are from..." if I get the vibe that they're really asking for my ethnicity.

In Ljubljana, I just left it at "I'm from the US" and the shopkeeper straight-up said, "but how can you be from the US when you look like that?" which I thought was pretty funny, cause nobody's phrased it like that to me before lol.

I feel you but from a different perspective - I was born in Zimbabwe but I'm half Italian, half Irish, so I try find the fun in telling people where I was born because this is where I'm from vs my genetic makeup hahaha... It's interesting how people will just smile and nod or ask "Wait, how are you white if you come from Africa?"

Latinos want to be white so bad it's kind of sad..be proud of your heritage and share it with these people. That could be a teaching experience if you weren't so thirsty for white privilege lol

Meh. I get asked that in the US often enough, I just understand that it's people's curiosity. Never really bothered me.

I’ve noticed while traveling that a lot of places are not as racially/ethnically diverse as the USA. (At least the coastal parts of the US) Japan, for instance, only has 2.3% of its population made up of foreign residents.

People tend to think other societies are like their own, so if you are somewhere without much racial/ethnic diversity, this may play a role.

Well Im Mexican and always have been told " but you dont look mexican" if I travelled in Europe/ME/Asia..., I mean just laugh it all or just say " well someone needs to travel and open their mind a bit more"

Propaganda bro

Could always explain to them how you're likely more of a "real American" than white Americans

You don’t even have to be traveling! Happens in America.