The question Asian American hates: 'Where are you from?"

[Prometheus]

www.yahoo.com/news/op-ed-every-asian-american-235448855.html

They should try being a white guy in China. I get asked that question multiple times daily whenever I step out of my apartment. All of us expats have that experience here... and in Korea, Japan, and any other place where we look different from the rest of the indigenous population.

Are they being racist* or simply curious?**

I know. I know. It's different because the chances of being white and having Chinese citizenship are remote, but the chances of being of Asian heritage and being a US citizen aren't. Would the question, "What's your ethnic heritage?" be better?

What's wrong with a little curiosity? What's wrong if the intent is to learn about a faraway place and its culture? Maybe they want a chance to practice some language skills?

"But maybe their family has lived in the US for decades or over a century."

To me that sounds like their might be some interesting stories related to their immigration. My curiosity is even more piqued.

Seriously, though, I'd probably never ask the question of an Asian American without explaining the context for it first anyway, as in, "Did you say your family name is 'Wang'? I've just returned after spending over decade living in China. Where is your family from?"

*There is actually a good chance - depending on political climate - that the question is racially charged. In the wake of recent violent attacks against Asians in the US, as well as the conference in Alaska, I might just be answering , "Spain" the next time a taxi driver asks me where I'm from.

**It should also be noted that we expats ask each other that question all the time upon first meeting... even if we recognize the accent. We're just trying to get a better sense of the person we're talking to; looking for something to talk about; or maybe (if they're new) help them find fellow countrymen... persons... whatever.