Where are you from??

spankmemunkey · 06-05-2022 7:18pm #1

Where are you from???

Apparently this is a racially loaded question that we are not allowed ask which i think is a really sad state of affairs if you ask me.

I'm not originally from Waterford so when people hear my accent they say oh your not from Waterford i laugh and say no im from....

When I'm in work and someone new starts i ask them their name and as i get to know them i ask them where are they from especially if they aren't originally from Ireland because its how we get to know people, I even asked one guy who worked with us if i offended him when i asked him that and he said no no, I just wanted to get to know the guy and say oh yeah i have a neighbour from there or try bring up a bit of info i know about that country.

Apparently this can be perceived as racism,

sam t smith · 06-05-2022 7:20pm

The big smoke.

spankmemunkey · 06-05-2022 7:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119025053#Comment_119025053

I didnt actually want to know ha ha ha, I just thought it was mad that we cant ask that anymore!!

sam t smith · 06-05-2022 7:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119025057#Comment_119025057

I know. 😂

JohnC. · 06-05-2022 7:53pm

I think you've completely misunderstood the situation where it can be a problem.

friendlyfun · 07-05-2022 7:59am

Honestly the only time I can see it being a problem if you ask a question like: "Where are you REALLY from?".

spankmemunkey · 07-05-2022 9:57am

no not really, i underdstand the difference between ah come on your not irish and hi how are you, where are you from, actually saw a guy on tommy tiernan saying irish people are racist cos they always ask where are you from, i was more angry with tommy that he didnt say hold on lad thats just a typical irish conversation

JourneyMan8 · 07-05-2022 2:14pm

probably best to think of it from their situation. if the start of every conversation is hi where are you from, not gonna make you feel great is it ha

spankmemunkey · 08-05-2022 5:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119027937#Comment_119027937

I ask everyone that starts working with me where are they from, how are you? that's not an Irish accent where are you from?

I'm from Italy, oh where in Italy? oh we have a lad working in the kitchen from there,

This is a snow flake issue i think, i think our society is way to sensitive to these things.

You meet someone new, you ask their name and so on and so on, its a part of introduction in my opinion, I don't think its unique to foreigners, every time i meet someone in Waterford they comment on my accent and where I'm from but i don't point my finger at them and call them racist, i think its just a case of cop on!

Squidvicious · 09-05-2022 12:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119032619#Comment_119032619

Good answer. It all depends on the angle the question comes from. Most of us ask that question in exactly the spirit you mention. At the end of the day, it's mostly just intended as a conversation starter. Or out of a genuine interest in the area where the other person is from.