this post was submitted on 28 Oct 2023
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Why do people ask "Where does your name come from"? (discuss.tchncs.de)
submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I got this question multiple times while introducing myself. It sounds a bit odd and I don't think they are really interested in the origin of my name. Is this a politically correct way of asking my ethnic origin? I guess "Where are you from" wouldn't work for everyone since there are many born-and-raised British people with foreign names and ethnic origin.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

That's exactly it. They're trying to ask your ethnic background in a roundabout way.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

It sounds a bit odd and I don’t think they are really interested in the origin of my name.

It’s taken them by surprise, it’s offered a conversational opening that expresses interest in you. The alternatives

  • nice weather we are having
  • so how do you know $mutual-acquaintance?
  • What do you do?

I understand you might find it a bit wearing , but I honestly don’t think it’s problematic