Is it good manners to tell/ask a stranger or person you just met the ethnicity/race you would label them.?

Yeah, some people act like they're trying to win a prize on the "Guess My Ethnicity" game show. I treat the topic carefully myself. I had a friend who I'd known for months and who had become a good friend, and yet I approached the topic gingerly when I asked her.

People today ask loads of inappropriate questions, some don't seem to understand the concept of personal space at all. If you refuse a drink, they ask if you're an alcoholic. (I've never been a drinker, and I was shocked how often a complete stranger would ask this, or just "why aren't you drinking?" which is almost the same thing. Do they really think that's there business?) People will often ask your age, which I still consider a big no no. They ask your religion. Not only that, but they will invade your privacy in many other ways and think nothing of it. I've heard pregnant woman complain that complete strangers were always asking to touch their tummy, or even touch it without asking, and then after they have kids, strangers would touch their kids!

There is no way to stop all this inappropriate behavior, all you can do is try to find a strategy to deal with it. One strategy is to take control of the direction of the conversation, rather than just avoiding their question. Respond with something like "Oh, I don't like to talk about myself" or "I like to be mysterious" or "Mom always said the stork brought me"--and then immediately ask a question about the person you are meeting. If you are with a friend who knows you don't like the question, they could help turn the conversation another way. You could just launch into a conversation about the great movie you saw last night, or whatever. I find humor is a big help dealing with people, it distracts them and cuts the tension. If you're not good at off the cuff remarks, you could do some online searches for jokes that would be safe in any company. If they still won't give it up, you could be straightforward, say something like, "I like to wait until I know someone better before talking about my family. I'm sure you understand."

Sometimes people are just curious. There are far more white people around most of us than people of other ethnicities. I once asked a waitress if she was from Russia. She got really mad and wanted to know why Americans were always asking that. It's because we were told in news stories, etc., to be friendlier to the immigrant and visitors and more open in talking with people of different races. Sometimes you can't win.

Of course it is rude to ask that as your first question or to guess. I guess you'll have to find an answer that will stop them but not make them feel terrible, either.

all i have to say is "WOW". I get asked that question all the time. does it bother me. no. i think it's a way to strick up a conversation. I have been asked if I was italian, greek, phillipino, portuguese and even egyptian. Do i get offended or angry, NO. I don't think it has anything to do with racism or being ignorant. I think it's curiousity that's all. Are there that many sensitive people out there??? Why are you sweating something so small?? why is it so wrong to ask? I think the person is just trying to get to know me. What is the big deal.

needless to say, it extremely is totally undesirable manners, thoughtless, and in basic terms downright rude. regrettably, you will nonetheless particularly situations run into people who do not even comprehend this simply by fact they stay their lives of their very own little bubble, and are completely oblivious to the incontrovertible fact that their inquiries even have the possiblity of being offensive. I undergo in ideas working at an place of work in a suburb of l. a., the place between the administrative assistants asked, "What are you?" on the commencing up, i did not even comprehend the question. whilst she found out i grew to become into Jewish, she advised me, "i've got in no way met a Jew." i found this to be fairly astonishing, actual. whilst she found out I spoke Spanish, she reported, "yet i presumed you have been Jewish", this potential that she found it extremely impossible for there to be one in each and every of those subject as a Spanish-speaking Jew. besides, any ignorant inquiry you get from human beings like this extremely in basic terms reflects the extreme limits of their very own historic past - they're many times not attempting to be offensive. do not take it too heavily - it extremely is not properly well worth the grief.

When they say 'Are you Japanese?' or Turkish, Greek, whatever, ask them 'Why, do I look Japanese?' When they reply something to the effect of 'Well most Asians look the same' or something similar call them a racist for not realizing that there are differences among people. It's a harsh reaction, but maybe it will teach them not to ask such a question.

I must say, I do this, but I dont mean it to be rude. I suppose in the situations you put them in they could be considered rude, but I just do it because I'm curious. I am Native American and my friend's sister's friend was Native American and I could tell by his nose so I asked him and we ended up talking about it and it was pretty cool. Also if I recognize an accent, like say a Russian accent or something, I will ask just to talk about Russia with them. Like do they miss it or just friendly questions you know. So I suppose it could be rude, but I'm sure most people dont mean it to be.

It is VERY rude when people ask this question.

I either respond with, "Why do you need to know?" or just act like I did not hear them and continue the conversation. On occasion, I have informed people that their question is rude and makes them appear ignorant.

I really like the "Are you an anthropologist?" line...I am going to use that one.

Unless they ask you to guess, no, I would find it a little rude.

However, I don't believe there is anything wrong with asking what group they belong to, after all that is the only way you learn.

I think it's intrusive. I'd reply with, "Excuse me"? or I'd say "I'm a bit tired of that question, how about I tell you my social security number first?" (Sarcasm, of course).

You could even throw in, "How much do you weigh?"

If you are American, just say so. Your heritage is none of their business. If they insist, just say no (if that is the correct answer), then ask that person if THEY are that. In other words, "Are you Japanese?" "No, are you?"