Q: "Where are you from?" A: Is your answer usually general or specific?
Nov 9, 2005 | 3:50 pm
#1
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Q: "Where are you from?" A: Is your answer usually general or specific?
When you meet new people while traveling -- whether you're in the U.S., Italy or Australia -- it's one of the first conversational questions that come up:
How do you answer it? Do you mention the state you live in? The place you are originally from? Or the town you live in (which people may or may not recognize). Somtimes I say "L.A.", because most people are familiar with it, but I'm not really from L.A. -- I live 'in the vicinity' per se. I could just as easily say I'm 'from' San Diego (being geographically between L.A. & S.D.) but figure most people know L.A.
Of course, some people are probably just making conversation and 'don't care' where you're from
and "California" would be more than enough information volunteered.
I also think about how U.S. travelers might mention they are from L.A., Dallas, NYC, Boston, etc. and think most people know where those places are. Whereas if someone from a town in Germany or Japan tells me where they are from ~~~ I would probably (unfortunately) be clueless
So -- when someone asks you "WHERE ARE YOU FROM?" is your first instinct to be specific (town) or general (state or country)?
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
How do you answer it? Do you mention the state you live in? The place you are originally from? Or the town you live in (which people may or may not recognize). Somtimes I say "L.A.", because most people are familiar with it, but I'm not really from L.A. -- I live 'in the vicinity' per se. I could just as easily say I'm 'from' San Diego (being geographically between L.A. & S.D.) but figure most people know L.A.
Of course, some people are probably just making conversation and 'don't care' where you're from
and "California" would be more than enough information volunteered.I also think about how U.S. travelers might mention they are from L.A., Dallas, NYC, Boston, etc. and think most people know where those places are. Whereas if someone from a town in Germany or Japan tells me where they are from ~~~ I would probably (unfortunately) be clueless
So -- when someone asks you "WHERE ARE YOU FROM?" is your first instinct to be specific (town) or general (state or country)?
Nov 9, 2005 | 4:43 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BNA
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i say Tennessee. Everyone, everywhere, with few exceptions, will respond by saying 'Jack Daniels.' So even if they don't know exactly where I'm from, they have an idea.
i think it would be insulting to say 'america' or the US, as it's typically obvious if your in europe or other similarly mainstream places. Somewhere out of the way I would still say TN, and then be ready to explain further.
i think it would be insulting to say 'america' or the US, as it's typically obvious if your in europe or other similarly mainstream places. Somewhere out of the way I would still say TN, and then be ready to explain further.
Nov 9, 2005 | 4:45 pm
#3
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I just say Seattle. It's where I am and where I'm from and I haven't met a person yet that doesn't have some sort of an idea where that is. I don't like to say Washington since they'll usually think DC
Nov 9, 2005 | 4:59 pm
#4
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I say "New York". Invariably they describe The City and how much they love (or at least are in awe of) it... And then I have to explain where Albany is and how it's not at all like The City.
Some people just don't get it.
"But, see, it's much quieter... it's like a small town... sort of..." "I love Times Square!" "Uhm........ yeah. It's nice."
(This was all so much easier when I lived in Chicago...)
Some people just don't get it.
"But, see, it's much quieter... it's like a small town... sort of..." "I love Times Square!" "Uhm........ yeah. It's nice."
(This was all so much easier when I lived in Chicago...)
Nov 9, 2005 | 5:25 pm
#6
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To someone from outside North America, I say "San Francisco"--almost everyone knows where that is or has some idea. To North Americans, I say either "San Jose" or "Silicon Valley". To people from San Jose, I say "Willow Glen" (a neighborhood in San Jose).
Nov 9, 2005 | 5:57 pm
#8
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Originally Posted by MDtR-Chicago
I say "New York". Invariably they describe The City and how much they love (or at least are in awe of) it... And then I have to explain where Albany is and how it's not at all like The City.
Some people just don't get it.
"But, see, it's much quieter... it's like a small town... sort of..." "I love Times Square!" "Uhm........ yeah. It's nice."
(This was all so much easier when I lived in Chicago...)
Some people just don't get it.
"But, see, it's much quieter... it's like a small town... sort of..." "I love Times Square!" "Uhm........ yeah. It's nice."
(This was all so much easier when I lived in Chicago...)
Nov 9, 2005 | 6:36 pm
#9
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The farther away from home I am, the more general the answer. Elsewhere in the Valley, it's my small home town. Elsewhere in California it becomes Fresno. Elsewhere in the US, it is Central California. Overseas it is either California or San Francisco - almost everyone has some idea where SF is. Although it is equidistant, I NEVER say LA. 
JR
JR
Nov 9, 2005 | 6:50 pm
#10
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Well I'm in Northern Wisconsin, and people in other countries don't know Wisconsin from Wyoming or Canada for that matter (why should they LOL). So if they want to know where in the US I am from, I tell them 4 hours north of Chicago, and it usually helps.
I think some people can not fathom how large the US truly is. I have a friend in Ireland, who I've shown on a MAP where I live, ask if I'm OK after hurricanes struck more than once Finally I told her "Imagine Wisconsin is Ireland, and Italy is where the hurricanes are", and I think she finally got it.@:-)
I think some people can not fathom how large the US truly is. I have a friend in Ireland, who I've shown on a MAP where I live, ask if I'm OK after hurricanes struck more than once
Finally I told her "Imagine Wisconsin is Ireland, and Italy is where the hurricanes are", and I think she finally got it.@:-)
Last edited by IrishRed; Nov 9, 2005 at 6:52 pm
Nov 9, 2005 | 6:56 pm
#11
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If I'm still in North America, I just say "Pittsburgh" - the nearest big city. I'f I'm overseas, it's usually "America, Pittsburgh".
Nov 9, 2005 | 7:37 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Usually I say "none of your business" and say this or the equivalent in several languages. However, if it's a decent looking lady and there's some potential there, then I'll tell her I am from some place I am not. Usually I won't talk to strange men. Why the hell would some guy want to know where I am from?
M8
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Nov 9, 2005 | 7:48 pm
#13
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Like some other posters, it depends on how far from home I am. If it's at the supermarket, it's "on the north side of Winnecunnet Pond." In the local area, "Norton." In the northeast U.S., "a small town south of Boston." Elsewhere, usually "the Boston area," unless it's in another country and the person is probably not familiar with different accents in English. In that case, it's "the United States."
Sometimes these answers lead to requests for more information. If the person is pleasant enough and I'm in the mood for conversation, fine.
Sometimes these answers lead to requests for more information. If the person is pleasant enough and I'm in the mood for conversation, fine.
Nov 9, 2005 | 8:57 pm
#14
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Originally Posted by venice4504
I just say Seattle. It's where I am and where I'm from and I haven't met a person yet that doesn't have some sort of an idea where that is. I don't like to say Washington since they'll usually think DC
