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?

So being "mistaken" for a Russian is pretty offensive.

Oh no!! And there's me thinking I was all glamorous like Villanelle

I don't see what is offensive about being Russian or mistaken for Russian, I certainly haven't felt people were saying it to me in an offensive way but maybe I am naive?

It's probably like calling an Irish person English.

@cuppycakey some countries have a really bad and bloody past with Russia. Being invaded, regimes overthrown, communism put in place, land being taken away from people,losing jobs,arrests,beatings, abortion being banned,religion being banned, territories taken etc.

Depending on age, political or local sentiment, yes some people might be offended for being mistaken for a Russian.

Your posts are the epitome of white fragility

You think describing behaviour using the colour of someone's skin is ok? Right

Posters have talked about how bad it makes them feel when they’re asked ‘where are you really from?’ and you’ve accused them of fringe bigoted and hostile!

No. I have said failure to believe, or try to understand, that that other cultural norms exist within the UK is bigoted.

The poster I called hostile was called that as.....they were hostile.

Being upset at being asked "where are you from" isn't bigoted or hostile. I haven't said that.

However, when someone is explaining their culture, referring to their offence at being called a liar as "white fragility" is both bigoted and racist.

Please don't address me again. I won't engage with those who think using skin colour as a derogatory term is ok. It disgusts me.

That post was to @Havaina

@YourSarcasmIsDripping - using your logic - the British have done some terrible deeds so I can't imagine why anyone would want to be mistaken for British.

@Charley50 I was just explaining why some people might be offended. I don't particularly give a shit about it anyways. Too many invaders in my little country to worry about them all.

But you don't see why someone living in Britain, possibly British as well, just with an accent might want to be accepted as British?

British have done some terrible deeds so I can't imagine why anyone would want to be mistaken for British.companies
Certainly the Irish, the Welsh or the Scottish do not appreciate being called English.

YourSarcasm - yes of course I see why people want to be accepted as British, but you said that people might be offended at being 'mis-identified' as Russian, because of Russia's terrible behaviours, so I was using your argument back at you. And actually I'm Greek Cypriot, but I don't faint, or feel the slightest bit offended if I am mistakenly named as Turkish.

Actually you are right though. Most UK people of former British colonies heritage do feel British, and are British, but they also feel a strong connection to their 'mother country,' as ultimately they are reluctantly British, due to a history of colonialism.

Certainly the Irish, the Welsh or the Scottish do not appreciate being called English.

That is a whole different and cultural issue. Such as supporting the opposing Engand sports team. Etc, etc, etc....

@Charley50 we've been invaded by the Turks too. And Romans,and mongols ,and germans and fuck knows who else.

That's why I (personally )don't care, too many to keep track of.

Hah, that confirms that me and Sarcasm are from the same country.

And honestly, people don't really care that the British Empire has done some terrible things, it only matters that it's a wealthy, first world country.

So, can we all agree that:

a) anyone who chooses to make their home here, is a Brit if they feel they are and want to be, irrespective of country of origin and how long they have lived here.

b) British people are no less British if they don't have white skin.

C) British people are no less British if they have a non-British accent

d) Anyone who says "but where are you from originally" is a twat

e) we should always accept the first answer given to any question asked in the heat of the nosiness moment. Otherwise, we are rude bastards.

f) nosiness and curiosity can be a British and/or Irish cultural thing (other nosy cultures are available, contact relevant culture for details)

g) racists might ask the same question as those displaying the aforementioned nosiness and curiosity, but with a horrible insinuation in mind. They are insufferable, racist arseholes.

F) anyone who is a racist is a thick twat of epic proportions who should be condemned to a future where their every shit is a hedgehog.

G) Yorkshire is God's Own County

h) @YourSarcasmIsDripping is a much more interesting person than Doris up the road from me and has cool hair.

Is that about the size of it?

FFS

*"where are you from REALLY" NOT "where are you from originally"

The latter may or may not be racist twattery depending on context and the flow of conversation. The former is also racist twattery.

FFFS

*Always racist twattery, not also!

Oh and one more:

I) people are not cultural exhibits who want to give you holiday advice whilst trying to wrestle a teething baby in ASDA.

Unless someone has a tourist information sign on their head, they should not be arsed viewed as a convenient font of all flaming knowledge for a country, particularly when trying not to have their arm gnawed off by the aforementioned toddler. And especially if you piss off straight afterwards without so much as a backward glance, having had your curiosity satisfied.

All points can be summarised thus:

Don't be a racist twat.

I was with you at first but changed my mind now.
You are def being to fragile about the whole thing

I hate being asked.
I always answer truthfully.
Then people seem to think I’m lying!

It's one of those things I suppose, it'll never change and we have to grow a thicker skin.
Actually, when I first came here, I was very open and happy to tell, also wore flag-themed clothing and accessories. I was a student- and yes, community was international, very few people i knew who were truly local.
However, years have past, my home is here, my DC were born here, and my birthplace, apart from a holiday destination with free accommodation, is less and less relevant. Also, with all the Brexit mess, I can no longer assume that people are being friendly and genuinely interested. I am more likely someone who stole "their" job, and now making "them" pay for my kids. So no, my birthplace isn't a piece of information i want to share with just anyone.

@FishCanFly are you from Transylvania? Do people regularly ask if you say 'blah blah blah' etc.

I have to say that I'd ask, or I'd try and guess, I love EE accents, all except one which I think is very harsh but I can't remember now which, I love that each country has a very distinctive accent, but I just love languages in general. I think if the question makes you feel uncomfortable then don't answer it, it's personal preference, when people ask where I'm from, because I'm bordering two counties both with different accents and I'm a mixture so they can't place me, I usually say a town that's 25 miles away! Even though I'm three miles from two!

I am more likely someone who stole "their" job, and now making "them" pay for my kids. So no, my birthplace isn't a piece of information i want to share with just anyone
I can understand why you feel like that with Brexit, people aren't angry on a personal level, they've been let down by the government, rents have soared as the population increased massively, if they are pissed with anyone it is the government for not protecting wages and rents
I am sorry you feel it on a personal level, EE workers have brought so much and increased the economy in great ways, I've lots of EE neighbours and a few friends, they are great parents, hard workers, strong values.

YABU. It's a bit of a conversation starter in this country just like the weather. If I hear a different accent even one relating to this country I often ask and if I have visited the area it is something to talk about. You need to lighten up. Or, is there something you want to hide. The mind is racing now on what it could be!

Or, is there something you want to hide. The mind is racing now on what it could be!
Yep, maybe i do and that's why i don't want to tell

Or, is there something you want to hide.

Yes, you got it. I'm an ex KGB agent( worked both sides and fucked them over) and now I'm hiding in an English suburbia pretending to be a mumsy mum while sleeping with a gun under my pillow.

On a serious note, just in case you know somebody in your community being from the same country as somebody you just met. Those people JUST MIGHT actually know one another, maybe in not a good way - somebody wronged someone in the past, there has been a relationship fallout, etc. You maybe DON'T WANT to say "Oh, do you know Laura? She is from your place, has 3 kids and works in the flower shop?"