Is this relevant?

[Bettyonholiday]

I am selling some old clothes of DD through an internet classifieds page. After some to-ing anf fro-ing with a potential purchaser, I was asked the question (and I quote) "sorry to be nosey, but are you an African".

AIBU to not sell my bundle to this person, I mean FFS why is this relevant?

Rational MNs, please tell me your thoughts!. Thanks

I would have thought that if someone was racist they might ask if you were black, rather than african, if you get what I eman.

Ooh good you emailed them, lets hope they reply soon!

Well are you African? We demand to know!

It is a bit odd. My first thought was that the emailer was fearful of being scammed as Gumtree/Preloved etc is reknowned for it but then again if you were, why would you tell her?

Maybe they think that they might know you from your username or the items that you're selling.

Got a reply.... appears that the purchaser is African and felt I sounded
African from the conversation. So, an innocent question, maybe clumsily put. (And still I feel not relevant to the sale!)

Thank you MNers, good to get all your thoughts.

At least now you (and we) know

I'm always asked if I'm Irish (think it's because of my name).

Bet you're more careful with emails in future!

Teach me to not be so cynical! They were just trying ( in an odd way) to be friendly!:

I'd have thought Alberto was more italian!

Glad the op has an answer.

Oops

Meant my RL name.

I had an Asian accented customer say to me the other day (I work in a call centre) that i was clearly Asian, due to my name and therefor would I tell him, as one Asian to another, that our insurance was the best.

Bless him. I did have to say t hat whilst my first name is indeed Asian, it's also Irish and I am neither but yes.... BUY BUY BUY lol