Nicole van der HoevenFeb 27, 2023

It makes me instantly panic when people ask me where I'm from, especially if they just want a quick answer. I don't have one.

It's frustrating not knowing what they're asking for, and yet not wanting to take up more of their time by asking for clarification. Birthplace? Ethnicity? Nationality? Residence? Languages? Culture? Those are different, nuanced answers.

But mostly, being asked to choose just ONE part of me is really suffocating.

Show threadKevin MurrayFeb 28, 2023
@nicole I think you can just choose that one country to start the conversation. In most cases, it comes from curiosity rather than an attempt to box someone in.
Show threadNicole van der HoevenFeb 28, 2023

@kmaustral Which one country, though?

I understand most people don't intend it that way, but it doesn't change the fact that that is the effect on me.

Show threadKevin Murray
@nicole I guess it's a common presumption that the country we grew up in had the greatest influence - in our genes, accent, habitus, etc.
Mar 1, 2023 at 3:17amWeb