How do you politely ask someone where they are from?
How do you politely ask someone where they are from?
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- Ask yourself why you need to know.
- Understand that you have no right to know.
- Do not open a conversation with this question.
- Think about your relationship to the person you’re asking.
- If you need to ask, make it about your own ignorance.
- Be willing to answer every question you ask.
What to say instead of where are you really from?
If you really want to know “where I am from,” why don’t you try asking these more specific questions instead: Where were you born. Where did you grow up. What culture do you identify with.
How often do you ask someone where they’re from?
Soumia Bella grew up in Sydney’s Bondi and says she’s asked where she’s from at least three times a week — and more frequently when she’s socialising with new people. While the radio producer knows that people are curious by nature, she says the question has an impact on the person being asked.
How do you ask about someone’s ethnic background?
Use a compliment. Sports Illustrated model Chrissie Teigen is asked about her Norwegian-Thai ancestry daily and doesn’t mind, but she had this advice for the curious: “I usually go with ‘What’s your background, you are beautiful”. Be direct about what you are asking.
Why is it bad to ask someone their nationality?
While the question may not be born out of malicious intent, it can have a serious consequence or impact on the people it is directed towards. In the context of racism, anti-immigration, and anti-minority sentiments, this “curiosity” about someone’s perceived race, ethnicity, and nationality can be quite damaging.
How do you determine your nationality?
However, nationality often can be determined by place of residence, ethnicity, or national identity. If a person was born in Country A but immigrated to Country B with their family while a toddler, that person might identify more with the Country B nationality, having been raised there.