Is asking people where they are from racism?

[bhavv]

I've always been asked where I'm from / if I'm Indian / Pakistani / Muslim / Hindu by random plebs who I have never had any previous discussion with (both white and other Asian people).

The first thing I always wondered is, would they ever ask a white person the same questions? If not then why are they asking me? Oh ... Right. The R word.

And it ALWAYS ends up going:

Britain

'No where are you originally from'

Born in England

'But no, where are your parents from'

England.

But, but, but, but where, what, how, who, waaaah waaaaaaaah waaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!

 

[Formaldehyde]

If they aren't asking what city you now live in, asking you where you are from is extremely rude. It assumes you must be an immigrant. I would respond by telling them the name of the city.

Asking where your ancestors are from is just common curiosity, at least when done in a non-offensive manner.

 

[bhavv]

I've never been asked 'where are your ancestors are from', and never such questions by people I already know (they usually find out once I'm comfortable enough that it just slips out).

But its 100% of the time 'Where are you from?' Or 'Are you (non British / Western religion).

Lets not forget all the people who cannot possibly believe I can be an atheist because race.

 

[Formaldehyde]

Then I would tell them I am British and walk away. Or just walk away without saying anything.

 

[bhavv]

And then it devolves into the conversation I added to the OP, and I wish that gun ownership was legal so I could shoot them and end up in jail which is much more likely a better place than being surrounded by plebs.

 

[Formaldehyde]

That would be a third alternative. Can you purchase pepper spray or a stun gun?

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

The other day I was asking the guy I was buying my groceries from what part of Vietnam he was from. But it had something to do with the fact that the weather was so hot. Unfortunately lately blind anti immigrant forces are on the rise.

 

[bhavv]

That would be a third alternative. Can you purchase pepper spray or a stun gun?

I want a stun gun! So much.

 

[Formaldehyde]

You should move to the US and become a cop. They can stun people repeatedly for merely being slow to follow their every whim in most jurisdictions.

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

Bhavv where do you hail from? South India?

 

[bhavv]

I .... OMG ... Seriously .... WHAT A GREAT PLAN THAT WOULD BE!!!!

So much satisfaction ... I know, usually I'm against that, BUT IF I AM THE COP, STUN GUNS ON ALL THE SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE!!!

 

[Formaldehyde]

Bhavv where do you hail from? South India?

Ruh roh.

 

[bhavv]

Bhavv where do you hail from? South India?

No.....

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

No.....

What its a secret?

 

[bhavv]

No......

 

[Formaldehyde]

Set phasers to stun...

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

Its a kind a game. Imagine white dude in Afrika feeling offended by the same question.

 

[bhavv]

Yes!!!!

Its like saying to a white south African 'where are you from? Must be some other place because you're white!'

White people cannot be south Africans, right?

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

Yes!!!!

Its like saying to a white south African 'where are you from? Must be some other place because you're white!'

White people cannot be south Africans, right?

Yeah but he would have no trouble saying I am from here without feeling offended and then he would answer the follow up question about his parents roots without much trouble.
O.K. Are you Pakistani?

 

[bhavv]

The issue isn't saying you are from there. The issue is people not believing you are because they think you must be an immigrant.

And no I'm not a pakistani.