I’m white and my (now deceased) mom used to do this and it was cringe.

However at the same time, my mom was kind, an internationalist traveler and was genuinely interested in a persons heritage because she had a complete shit life with abusive parents until she met my dad. She was very kind and would invite you over for a meal or give you a place to stay if you needed it.

Some people come off ignorant but they just don’t know any better.