I’m curious to hear what you all think of this. I’m white with an unrecognizable accent that came out of years of not being able to talk right (so not a pleasant memory to relive with strangers). I get asked this question a lot. I really want to say “Hope you don’t ask this to someone you think LOOKS different!” But most of the time it happens at work and I have to avoid any confrontation. I really have no idea how to respond to this other than to literally answer the question and then they get confused or throw in the “but where are you REALLY from??”

It’s annoying as hell, but I started using it as a filter. The people who I end up becoming friends with don’t ask me that question and I will share my story later on. They know better.

As long as it’s not one of the first questions you ask, that’s when it may be seen as invasive.