Why do white people always ask asians- where are you "really" from and then go on to make an ethnic generalization ?

There's no problem in asking where someone is from. But more often than not, it is because they stick out because of their accents or some other habit. I'm not offended when someone asks me that at all. But I would rather them wait for it to come up naturally in a conversation, or maybe give it a some time and wait for me to bring it up. Even though, I'm not offended by that question, there may be people who are very sensitive about the fact that they are treated differently and have probably faced some form of discrimination during their time in this country. Asking them this question out of nowhere might offend them in some way.

Double standards suck don't they.... I have a very Greek last name, but have Russian heritage - and dad was born in Argentina, grandparents on one side came from France (Russian empire previously) --- I'm a nut who grew up in a very ethnic household - English was my 4th language, and so for me to meet someone who I think is also an immigrant or first gen --- I ask them about their story. Also studied international relations and cross cultural communications in college so I'm naturally drawn to this topic. I think too many people focus on race when it's not really about race, but they end up making it about race --- quit it.

Because your experience (or perception) with one white person always applies to all other white peoples 🙄

It is funny because no nobody ever asks the white guy/girl - "oh, where are you really from, the U.K., France Russia? Do tell." Admittedly, I've been guilty of this with colleagues and other associations of Asian and Hispanic persuasion. My only motive was to break the ice and get to learn more about them.

I literally don't understand where this new trend of being offended about people asking about your ethnicity and background. Isn't that what we want? For people to recognize our backgrounds rather than have to hide them and pretend like they don't exist?

Because most whites are uneducated about Asian nations. Can't speak to the generalization...

I'm technically white but not European white, and I usually ask people where they're from. I don't get the offense in asking where people are from. I'm not from here and I love telling people my background. I've literally never been offended by someone asking me where I'm from based on my name or appearance

It's annoying. I was born here, and still no matter how long my family's lived in the US, we're never considered 'from' here 🙄

Glad so many others here have the same feeling about this - and for those of you who think its being hypersensitive, it isnt as trivial as you make it sound

OP, as an Asian I totally see where you are coming from and how their questions might make you feel like an outsider. But I think most of the time (of course there are exceptions) that isn't their intent - they're probably genuinely curious. Hopefully you can just answer and move on to the next topic?

When people ask where I'm from, I'll say "Virginia born and raised" and in my mind that's the end of it. But when they push and push saying where are you really from as if being Virginian isn't sufficient is bothersome and makes me wonder about their intentions. Unless someone mentions that they've recently moved, I don't ask where they're from bc if they have strong cultural ties it'll come up organically.

Nah sorry that you feel that way but That's not the intent. That's what you get with diversity. Your different backgrounds and cultures being mixed in together. It's worse to act color blind and pretend you don't notice/recognize people's very obvious differences@

'What's your ethnicity' is a much better way to put it. I usually get asked that by Uber or cab drivers. I'm not offended by that at all. It's also funny when they ask me 'How your English so good?'. I'm Indian, and have been born and raised in a household where english was spoken primarily. It's mainly ignorance, and nothing to feel offended about. A lot of Americans don't have access to other cultures, and haven't been out side of the country. May not even own passports. Yes, they may be ignorant (read curious). But not all of them are closed minded, they genuinely just want to know about you, about something they don't normally have access to. Ignorance and closed mindedness are two completely different things. Just answer the question and move on.

Think about it like this: as a minority (East Asian), I am never immediately thought as American first, despite being born and raised in this country simply because of how I look. If I am asked where I am from, and New York does not suffice as an answer, then I assume you see my ethnicity first and as a major factor of my overall identity, DESPITE not being able to speak the language, or having only visited a few times. It is annoying because i feel more American than (East Asian), but it is not an assumption.

It is also increasingly annoying to have someone question you about "where you're from" every few days of the week or so throughout your entire life when you've lived no where else but your home state for your entire life. I highly highly doubt white people without accents or anything get asked AT LEAST 3-4 times a month where they're from for 20+ years. It isn't an immediate instance of offense, but over the years, shit gets tedious. And if I suddenly blow up on one dude asking one day, I might be painted as the bad guy for misinterpreting the "good intentions" but "good intentions" don't fucking cover my side of the story and as they say, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions".

D5 said "because we're in America, so white people are asking. If we were in India or China, it would be Indians or Chinese asking." Perfect example of how only white people are thought of as true Americans. Slalom is right in saying there are undertones of being less American if you're not white.

https://youtu.be/DWynJkN5HbQ

Its different if someone from a work setting wants to know where you are from - but i meet a lot of other people who insist on asking where you "really" are from which makes me feel like saying -so you clearly don't belong here

^i think people are hypersensitive about these things. I sometimes do but at the same time I get what you're saying.

Put a white person in BF China, guarantee they will generalize too. It's only natural, just need to educate.

I get asked where I'm from, I say I'm from my home state, I get asked where are you REALLY from.

This implies and assumes I'm not an American first and Asian second; think if a white person were asked that wouldn't it be weird?

Multiply that by my entire life and the question becomes irksome at the least.

It's annoying. Being Asian is only one of many facets of a person. You don't go around asking someone if (s)he is straight or LGBTQ. I also hate getting called by another Asian's name. That is straight up racist to me.

I had an Uber driver ask me, "you look like you're of Asian descent - is this true?" I answered yes this is true. Then he said, "I have a lot of friends from Asian countries like Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia...." and I was like, cool story bro 🙄. That was literally all he had to say 😂