@busdriver11 of course most people mean well and are just curious about peoples’ accents, hometowns, etc. I often ask people where they’re from because many people in Oregon weren’t born here. I think it’s usually clear that people are just friendly. But like in the video, when people follow up the question with, “No, really. Where are you from?” and keep at it, keep at it-- it’s still often well-meaning, and I don’t mind it, but it can be frustrating, and like mentioned above, when your ‘uniqueness’ is ‘written in the color of your skin or the shape of your eyes’, it can make some of us wary and watchful.
Like @inthegarden’s daughter, I also became a ‘super-assimilator’ growing up in the midwest. I denounced my Asian heritage by telling people I hated Chinese food, hated hearing my parents speaking Chinese at home, etc etc. I made sure people heard my lack of accent as soon as possible when in public. I didn’t embrace my heritage til very late, and I’m sure I hurt my parents because of that 