Digital Nomads

felt this ... "but you don't look American" my bad what am I supposed to look like?? lol

American was a unique people (including genetics), language and culture for the majority of the existence of the country of the united states of america. Its only in the last 50 years there have been noticeable non white, non black populations with a few exceptions like the Japanese on the west coast. Generally, the country has been 85-90% white, 10-15% black and 1% "other", so thats how most people in the world still think about it.

Also the idea of becoming another nationality just doesn't make sense to the majority of the world. You'll never meet a Japanese person who believes they can become Indian, etc

The answer in your case is "Latin america".

I always hear this all the time from non white people in america, but as a minority, I've almost never had this. I think generally speaking the new world of the America's takes in alot more immigrants than anywhere else in the world and its easier to assimilate here compared to most of the old world that already have long standing rigid structures. However I'd say who is "american" is constantly expanding over time and always has been since the inception of the the country. There has always been the in group (whose been there for over a generation) and the out-group (immigrants who are 1st generation). I know you probably don't see this. But even if you were a brown latino person, if you traveled to Europe (say france) and met a white american, that racial divide back home suddenly breaks down cuz suddenly YOU (the brown latino person back home), and the white american have more in common with each other and can communicate with each other than the white french person, who cant communicate with either of you, despite them and the white american both looking more similar. Crazy right? The same is true when I'm in asia, even though I'm physically asian looking, I can't communicate with those asian people in asia due to language divide while I can with an American of a different race.

Lol travel to China, Baltic states, Russia.

But still somehow US is the most racist s/

I lived in Japan for a decade a lot of first conversations began like this.

Japanese person: where are you from?

Me: I’m from the US.

Japanese person: you don’t look American…

Me: I’m Thai American… my parents are from Thailand.

Japanese person: you don’t look Thai…

Me: My grandparents were from China and my parents grew up in Thailand and moved to the US.

Japanese person: and now you’re in japan, speaking japanese with me.

Me: Yes.

….. sometimes if I know I won’t see them again I just lie and say I’m Chinese American.

Outside the US I don't see this as an insult. For Caucasians they want to know which European country my family was from. Even down to the Italians they want to know if I am northern or southern. poc's definitely get it more based on what I hear from other mixed Americans.

Honestly once you are in a foreign country people asking your race, ethnicity, country of origin is kind of a guarantee. I would move on with your day or just say it outright and be done.

I sympathize with your point, but one thing to keep in mind is that the US non immigrant population is mostly white (with latinos and other groups growing fast) so there is this tendency to assume that you are immigrant.

I understand it must be annoying.

I have committed the crime of asking such questions like 2 or 3 times, but I am currently free on parole, rehabilitated to be an useful member of society.

Funny enough I am a latino immigrant to Canada, especially to Montreal, which has a large immigrant population, so when I was new here I assumed subconsciously that somebody that did not look traditionally quebecois was an immigrant as myself.

After a few uncomfortable moments I think I finally know not to ask that.

I never understood what's annoying or offensive about this question.

My ethnicity is different from my citizenship(s) so I just answer straight when people ask me.

You are Asian-American or whatever you are. Nobody is trying to imply superiority over you or something. People are just curious.

I'm sure it gets annoying and happens to you more. I'm white from the US and when nationality history was brought up I mentioned that I have a lot of Irish and other euro mix. Then they were like, wait do you aren't American?

I had to explain basically everyone in the US is "from" somewhere else if you go back multiple generations. So people think this way even if you are white and they find out more info, but just assume "full American" until then.

Side note. I'm from southern California and among other things am craving some legit tacos.

Why don’t you just interpret this as “What is your ethnicity/What is your familial background?” Honestly, your attitude is VERY American. The rest of the world was divided into tribes, that became countries, only after ages and ages. Even within countries today like Iran they still make these distinctions over whether you’re Persian or Arab. It’s really only America, and commonwealth countries like Australia and Canada that anyone can come here and BE an “American”, never mind their children and grandchildren BEING without-a-doubt no-accent Americans. Just tell people “I’m American, my family immigrated from Mexico (or wherever).” I don’t want to offend you but your inability to grasp this is super duper super American, the rest of the world DOES NOT think like this: therefore, you should adapt your thinking TO THEM. Not the typical American “They should adapt their thinking to ME.”

I go with I'm Mexican American

Welcome to traveling. You will constantly be asked where you're from. I've been overseas for almost 5 years now and my answer to this question is Disney World.

Try doing what most americans do, and don't tell them which country you're from. Instead give a local answer. "I'm from California," "I'm from New Orleans," etc.

Then if they ask where that is, say that it's in the US.

I've asked this before, but it's not to be rude or offensive it's just out of curiosity. I'm not American so maybe i don't understand but Ethnicity can just be a conversation starter or something to bond over, it doesn't need to be a hostile accusation or criticism.

And if you were to first tell them your origin (or ethnicity) they'd start lecturing you on how you're actually just American and you should just say that you're American.

Feel this so much. It’s also very tiring how touristy areas are so catered to white westerners. I always assumed traveling internationally I would feel out of place in a different way, but it’s been strange to just still feel like it’s still just white American or English folk everywhere and some times being kind of disrespectful of the cultural spaces we’re visiting 😫

Everyone has been really cool otherwise about my presence (mixed black woman traveling solo). And I don’t mind them asking where I’m from bc I am starkly grappling with being American atp.

Can you just be like, "I'm from America but my family is from Latin America (or wherever)"? That seems like it'd clear up the confusion.

Also I guess it's kind of cool that America is diverse, but a lot of countries aren't like that. Like if you're "Japanese" then you're both ethnically Japanese and living in Japan, 99% of the time. So it's kind of a cool / interesting thing about America I guess? Maybe an opportunity to help people learn about a different part of the world?

Well, asking that question as an American or in America can be really rude. But it is nonsense to get pissed off by expecting people born and rasied in less diverse countries where ethnicity is the same as nationality to be fully aware of how it was founded and have the same level of sensitivity.

It means your ethnicity precedes your nationality. Don’t take it personal.

It’s like you’ll never get rid of your facial features. Embrace them.

Additional, if you already know what they mean when they ask the question, answer accordingly. “I’m American and my parents/grandparents are from (insert their birth place here). You’ll have to live with this your whole life

I’m a middle eastern American. Why are you ashamed of where you come from? You are not just American, your family immigrated to america and you have a heritage and history. You just sound like a whiney loser to me. Be proud of who you are and claim it boldly, Jesus

Aww this makes me think of… oh almost everyday when I meet new people. Memories! /s

It grates on my nerves on bad days and can be kind of a dick about it, and on good days I just think they’re stupid and laugh it off and ignore them.

It can be weary to be ethnically androgynous especially when the answers you have don’t line up with the box they want you in.

Oh man, this is a fun one for me. Asian, but I've lived in the US for over 10 years. I immigrated here from Canada.

Whenever people ask me where I'm from I tell them the US...they always ask where I came from before that or where are my parents from and I tell them Canada...and i can see the gears physically turning in their head.

As a nonwhite Brit I feel your pain.

A lot of foreigners don't know this and they are curious meeting someone who is not from their country. Seems like a good opportunity to educate people about your American experience. If you're the Mexican sort of latino it gets even more interesting in terms of the history surrounding the American southwest/California.

I’m always slightly surprised, irritated, and disappointed when I am in London, with the wealth in British diversity there, and at least once on every trip I endure the same questioning. I’m Latina and look indigenous (think Hawaiian or Alaskan native), and have what some people have told me is a California accent (it’s just the typical Hollywood accent to me). Even with my strong and clear American accent, people either don’t believe I’m American or insist I must have been born in another country. They think I’m playing a joke on them. A lot of comments here come from White Americans that don’t understand covert racism and how it wears POC down. Traveling non-White comes with a whole host of anxieties and aggravations unique to non-White Americans, Brits, Australians, Etc.

Youre not white and openly admit to being American at this point?

Just tell them your race that's what they really want to know 😄

Funny thing seeing an American getting mad at people for not knowing about American things when they themselves don’t, in general, know much about anything outside of the USA.

I only ask that question if the person has an accent. It usually means that they immigrated sometime after their youth. But if there is not an accent, I figure probability is native born.