How to politely ask 'Where are you from?'

I'm not American, but I can undersand that it is annoying when people keep saying 'where are you from?'. Sometimes it's fun just to make it up!

I knew a guy who was embarrassed to say where he was from...



Where are you from?

Moscow

A, tak chto vy govorite po-russki, da?

Uh, Moscow, Idaho...

"One reason some Americans might not like the question is because there is no real answer. I despise it because I've lived in a dozen cities in many states, and over 10 years overseas. I could make a case for at least 5 places as a hometown. So, I just pick a random place when asked or don't answer at all. It's pointless.

One way to be polite is not to ask; let them volunteer the information."

I don't think it's rude to ask, but yes, I agree with you. I don't even know how many times I've moved.

"Accident and Emergency care in the US is not really free. My friend broke her leg skiing and landed herself with a few extra expenses by going to the 'wrong' hospital. She had insurance, but whoever pulled her off the mountain didn't take her to the hospital her insurance company recommended, so she had to pay the lot." George

You are correct, it is not free. I didn't mean that it was, only that sometimes it becomes "gratis" because the patient is unable to pay. There are ways to get the bill reduced, etc., but once I write a book about it (lol), perhaps it won't be possible.

I don't think seventy dollars is too much to pay a specialist, but yes, it can add up. Have you ever asked specialists in France what they think about how they are paid? They are not happy.

Schooling and specialized training is worth something.

I don't think Frenchpeople are happy about anything.

>> Where are you from?
Moscow
A, tak chto vy govorite po-russki, da?
Uh, Moscow, Idaho... <<

Where are you from?

Vancouver

So what do you think about the Prime Minister?

Uh, Vancouver, Washington

<<I don't even know how many times I've moved.>>

You must be pretty dim-witted.

"You must be pretty dim-witted."

No, I don't keep track like the Count on Sesame Street. If you've only lived in a couple of places, then of course, you know right away. That's not my case.

<<You must be pretty dim-witted.>>

And you must be pretty bold.

<<One reason some Americans might not like the question is because there is no real answer. I despise it because I've lived in a dozen cities in many states, and over 10 years overseas. I could make a case for at least 5 places as a hometown. So, I just pick a random place when asked or don't answer at all. It's pointless.

One way to be polite is not to ask; let them volunteer the information. >>


I was an army brat and had lived on 3 continents by the time I was 15. But that doesn't mean I can't come up with an answer to the question: just be honest. "I was an army brat, I lived all over." I can rattle off the places if they like. Where I'm "from" is always my current place of residence, if I've been there awhile, or the one previous, If I've only just moved. Volunteering that kind of information makes for an interesting conversation most of the time, I find.

I'm from Venice. That's an old famous city, in California.
I'm Paris Hilton and I approve this massage, I'm mean: message.