not to tell strangers where I'm from?

[FishCanFly]

I speak with a pretty unfortunate accent and this always prompts random people to ask where i'm from. Thing is - I don't want to say. I don't mind a friendly conversation, but i don't like giving out personal info to people i don't know. AIBU?

Unfortunate accent? What?

And asking where you hail from isn’t a personal question. It’s polite white noise.

Just say Leeds. Or Portsmouth. Whatever. Make something up, change the subject.

Yab abit u

Why do you want to keep it a secret?

Your accent must give most people a pretty big clue.

They dont care where you are from in reality, it's a conversation starter, you culd say Timbuktoo and it wouldnt make one iota of difference.

We need to know the accent now.

Does it really matter?

Sounds a bit strange and unfriendly, I’m sure most people just mean general sort of area and aren’t looking for a detailed set of directions and an idea of when you’re likely to be out.

You're not from Dudley, are you?!!

Well now we all want to know They are just making polite conversation they don't want your street just general area.

Eastern European. And NOT Poland. Not a secret just the questions are irritating.

Your definition of personal information is stricter than most people's! Am wondering how you manage to have a friendly conversation

They are asking proximity (curiosity), not your full address (personal) chill out

I was thinking Birmingham .

I don't think it's an unreasonable question to ask or answer TBH.

The country that you come from isn’t really personal information, it’s not your bra size

@dexterslockedintheshedagain I am 😩

I think you need to get over yourself OP. Do you honestly think people are really that interested ?!

Make somewhere up.

Well that's not odd at all. Nope. No siree.

Cross-posted. Are you worried about xenophobic come-backs?

I think just go by the tone of how they've asked. If they've asked in a friendly way, surely a friendly answer is the way to go? I would ask, because I'm nosy and interested.

Wtf? Why is where your from a matter of national security or something? People are just curious - why are you so secretive? Maybe it’s just making conversation? You’re way too invested in this.

What does a "pretty unfortunate accent" sound like?

So keep it vague- would it be too personal to reply with the name of the country, or even 'Eastern Europe'?

I rarely tell people exactly where I'm from first time I meet them and I'm unlikely to see them again. Often say 'near London' although I'm 30 miles away!

*Cross-posted. Are you worried about xenophobic come-backs?

I think just go by the tone of how they've asked. If they've asked in a friendly way, surely a friendly answer is the way to go? I would ask, because I'm nosy and interested.*

^^ This exactly. I don't mind if its within context, let's say travelling, but yeah, sometimes people ask in not an exactly friendly tone.

It really is just chit chat I don't think you need to let it offend you.