Do you think it is rude?

dulcemariamar1

Do you think it is rude to ask somebody where they are from? For example, if I was in the States I would never ask where somebody was from if I heard that they had an accent or if it was obvious that they werent from the area.

 I think it is strange when I go shopping or I have a very short interaction with someone and they just ask me where I from. Do you think it is rude?

meggers5

I don't mind at all, and it happens quite a bit.I prefer that people ask me instead of assume that I'm American because, well, I'm not American.

I've also been known to ask people where they're from quite frequently. I'm just curious.

MouseInLux

I dont' think it's rude. just inquisitive. 

Brit's Luna154

I don't think it is rude at all. I ask people all the time and I also get asked all the time, even in the US. I have a unique hybrid accent, so even in the town I grew up in people who don't know me ask where I'm from.

azure_azure

I get asked quite often, never thought it to be rude. People are curious. I'll sometimes ask where people are from too, it makes conversation.

Emily523

I don't think it's rude at all.  I obviously am not from here so people are curious.  They usually guess I'm from Canada or the US.  I'd rather them not think Canada.. grosssss.  j/k!!! 

I like having conversations with people though.  I usually try to guess what part of England they're from.  I'm pretty good picking up the different accents now.   

MintChocoChip

I don't think it's rude.  Even in the US I will ask people where they're from if they have an obvious accent (southern, midwestern, European/ESL)

elisagoulart

I don't think it is rude at all. Most people will ask me because of my American accent, which I cannot hear myself. When back in the states, I don't know that I would ask someone unless it was obvious they were not local - but it is a good convo starter.

ebartzen

I love the question. Like other PPs said, it's a good convo starter. But now that I think about it, maybe some people who have immigrated to a country are trying their best to fit in and might not want to be reminded that their language/accent is obviously different. If I were living in Italy and trying my best with my Italian, I might get annoyed at being asked all the time.

However, since all of us would ask out of sincere curiosity and interest, rather than some ignorant person just pointing out what's strange, it could be taken as a positive question. Don't know about the people asking you though.

Shekels831

I got asked that all the time and didn't find it rude.  I did find Israelis singing "Sweet Home Alabama" in my face or asking if I were racist quite rude though (this happened on several occasions).  One guy gave me a full 5 minute history lesson of the civil rights era in the South as he knew it when he found out I was from Alabama.  Thanks dude... 

MrsBini10

Not rude at all. Just a way to make conversation. Now if someone asked me that here (I grew up less than an hour from where I live now) I'd think they were weird and/or wonder what made them think I wasn't local. But when I'm in, say, Ethiopia, it's obvious I'm not from there, so it's only natural that people would ask. Or Europe too, once they heard me talk

frlcb

I don't think it is rude at all

GibbyLod

I don't think it's rude. I think it's worse when they assume all blonds or foreigners are American though. It's like assuming all hispanics are Mexicans or all asians and Chinese.

It also frustrates me in restaurants or stores when the employees assume I don't speak the native language and that they have to speak to me in English. I usually give them the evil eye after that and respond in Spanish

bluegirl2006

I'm glad so many of you don't find this rude! I've only just realized I do this all the time if I hear someone with an American/Canadian accent.

I just did it to the ER doc when my DH was admitted to the hospital last week. Eeeek! 

For the record he was originally from Texas but had lived in New Zealand for 6 years and only recently moved here and oddly he had no Texas twang left, but his accent was still quite American, with a hint of New Zealand in there too.

AmericanInOz

I don't think it's rude - I have an accent that stands out - so people are curious & I can understand why they ask