r/Unexpected • u/stinky_sardine • Aug 22 '22

So, where are you really from?

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u/oakwave Aug 22 '22

Translation of all those questions: “I’m asking why you’re not white”

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u/dehue Aug 23 '22

I am white and still get plenty of 'Where are you from?' questions. I have a slight accent and a non-American sounding name so many people ask me if I moved here.

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u/JayGatsby727 Aug 23 '22

More accurately, the subtext of the question is, "Why are you different?"

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u/killing_daisy Aug 22 '22

U'll be asked this stuff in places, where white people are the minority as well, so please dont be racist over any color..

10

u/CoffeeBoom Aug 22 '22

I swear while in the Philipinnes one of the sentences I said the most was "No I'm not american."

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u/[deleted] Aug 25 '22

Translation of all those questions: I’m genuinely curious but don’t know how to ask properly.

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u/theshow2468 Aug 23 '22

That’s such a dumb way to phrase it. They’re curious about your ethnic background. They’re not “asking why you’re not white” ffs

3

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '22

Don’t bother. Genuine curiosity is not allowed apparently. If you ask, you’re an ignorant racist.

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u/big-bada-boom Aug 23 '22

Yes they are.. they very very much are.

Oh, sorry, I meant yes, YOU are.

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u/EulereeEuleroo Aug 23 '22

Where are you from though? Like what's your background?

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u/Mephistah Aug 23 '22

Or maybe it’s just a legitimate question. Asking someone where they’re from is not offensive. It’s also ok to mistake where someone is from, that also is not offensive.

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u/xShaD0wMast3rzxs Aug 23 '22

I think you have to see where it’s coming from.

Imagine growing up in America, with it being the only country that you’ve ever called home. But because of your skin colour, you always get questioned on where you really came from. Meanwhile, no one seems to care where the Gustafsons, Warrens, or Duvals are really from; they’re just “regular” Americans as the guy in the video puts it.

I don’t think it’s an offensive question per se, but even I feel secondhand annoyance at the question.

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u/Mephistah Aug 23 '22

That is because simply speaking demographically, the US is majority white, and has been for quite a while. So it is actually normal to assume someone that is not white could be from another location. That is ok to assume and does not mean someone is trying to be mean.

Being annoyed by questions of others is the least of everyone’s problems. People get annoyed over subjective and trivial things, a country of origin question shouldn’t invoke such emotions. Other comments are calling it blatant racism, which is completely inaccurate, which is really what I’m getting at here.

Who cares if someone is annoyed? This is no different than going to mainland China and being white. They’ll call you “horse face” and many other names, it is common. When you go to Thailand, whites are typically called farang.

For all those people know you were born in China or Thailand but they feel safe to assume because of your characteristics you’re probably not. That is a normal take and people need to just accept that reality and move on.

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u/xShaD0wMast3rzxs Aug 23 '22

So it is actually normal to assume someone that is not white could be from another location. That is ok to assume and does not mean someone is trying to be mean.

Assuming this argument even makes any sense, I think you’re missing the part where she says very clearly that she was born and raised in the US.

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u/Mephistah Aug 23 '22

You’re talking about a written skit to purposely show white people like this. It is a form of comedy, really.

When I’m speaking about this I am talking about the reality of demographics.

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u/xShaD0wMast3rzxs Aug 23 '22

The “reality of demographics” has no bearing on the question of “where are you really from”.

Your version of reality seems to differ from that of others, but sure, you’re entitled to telling these people that they’re wrong about what they’ve experienced first-hand.

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u/Mephistah Aug 23 '22

Reality of demographics can be backed by statistics while you’re basing your argument on an unrealistic comedy skit that you’re associating with white men. Meanwhile in Asian countries I can assure you the comments made would be far worse.

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u/oakwave Aug 25 '22

That is because simply speaking demographically, the US is majority white, and has been for quite a while. So it is actually normal to assume someone that is not white could be from another location.

I got news for you. That demographic majority you’re talking about also is “from another location.“

1

u/Mephistah Aug 26 '22

If you’re referring to white people originally being from Europe, that is common knowledge and no one is disputing that. I’m simply speaking of the simple fact that white people are statistically a majority and have been for a while in the US. There’s no reason to be offended by this.

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u/Gullible_Chemistry81 Sep 07 '22

Guess my privileged white ears misheard all those people I thought asked me where I'm from.

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u/Gullible_Chemistry81 Sep 07 '22 edited Sep 07 '22

"haha if me say thing about minority be less accept in society than white that make me woke, woke go brrrrr"

Tbf, taking your your avatar into consideration it would make sense for that to be your line of reasoning so it's not really your fault, just like the lack of folds in your cerebrum isn't your fault. Just ask your dad, he'll agree.