A Case of Mistaken (National) Identity

[Zoaric]

Although at the same time I've noticed out in public most mature adults that I've encountered in the US (30+) have a very rigid demeanor; as though people are afraid to interact with each other.

May I ask where you have experienced this?

[Arcanimus]

I always get mistaken for all kinds of latino, hispanic, and/or Cape Verdean.

I'm none of them.

[Annoying]

White guy with no accent. No one mistakes anything about where I'm from, short of the fact that some chunk of people don't even know that NM is a state.

[Elegiac]

White guy with no accent. No one mistakes anything about where I'm from, short of the fact that some chunk of people don't even know that NM is a state.

NM? Is that like North Michigan or something?

[Gheld]

May I ask where you have experienced this?

Well so far I've been to Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Colorado and I get the same sense. I know that people are naturally less sociable outside their comfort zones but it just seems magnified in the US. It's as though people's comfort zones are very small there. I'm not trying to rag on you guys for it. It's just an observation of mine; interpret it how you will.

[Zoaric]

Well so far I've been to Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Colorado and I get the same sense. I know that people are naturally less sociable outside their comfort zones but it just seems magnified in the US. It's as though people's comfort zones are very small there. I'm not trying to rag on you guys for it. It's just an observation of mine; interpret it how you will.

I take no offence to it even if you were. I was just asking because it seems to vary
by city and state as to the degree. me being from super small town USA means that
everyone's happy to talk, help, etc. Also, I think that in general, the US is in a hurry;
to what, who knows.

[Deleted]

an Indian fella at work is convinced i am Polish and when for some reason when i was in Portugal they thought i was American.

[Zoaric]

While Americans are known for having large amounts of personal space, I'm pretty sure it's further increased by living in areas with low population densities. Essentially, having the room available means they'll try to take advantage of it.

This too, kinda like the elevator principle: People in an elevator will nearly automatically
divide the space evenly among the riders. Should this action not take place, riders tend
to feel uneasy and uncomfortable.

[Kalis]

an Indian fella at work is convinced i am Polish...

Perhaps you are.

Is your name Peggleftwarski?

[mikeakanice]

I'm not joking when I write this. But I swear I read somewhere that Americans were actually considered to be the best tourists. Coming accross as too polite or trying to be too nice at times. Gotta find the piece

[Reeve]

This too, kinda like the elevator principle: People in an elevator will nearly automatically
divide the space evenly among the riders. Should this action not take place, riders tend
to feel uneasy and uncomfortable.

One day I was the first of 3 people to walk into the lobby of my building. There were 3 elevators. I entered one, since I was the first there. The other two went to the other two elevators. It's wasteful of electricity, and it means that the next person who comes will have to wait. I hate that kind of BS. Sharing an elevator isn't exactly a major hardship, especially when there's only 3 people and each elevator car can comfortably hold 8 people.

[Puupi]

I've been mistakenly thought being Swedish. Finnish/Swedish, never heard anyone think anything else.

[Maximus Testiculos]

Since i have a fair skin and bright blue eyes,light brown hair, many foreigners did not think that i would be turkish.

They have mistaken me for being german or east european.

In Turkey no one cared so because all kind of turkish people live here.

[Hinansho]

I've been mistaken for Benicio Del Toro. Alot.

[Yami]

Since i have a fair skin and bright blue eyes,light brown hair, many foreigners did not think that i would be turkish.

They have mistaken me for being german or east european.

In Turkey no one cared so because all kind of turkish people live here.

Ya I have a Turkish cousin who's both parents are Turkish but she has blonde hair and blue eyes. Most people think she is German till I tell them she is Turkish.

[Zvinny]

Coming back from a 9 month deployment, I got to take a port visit in Palma de Majorca, which is apparently an insane party city. While there I got mistaken at least a dozen times for a South African. I'm not sure how, since I've never met someone from there.

I'm from Michigan.

[caninepawprints]

I've never traveled outside the USA, but I have traveled all over the states. Every time I go somewhere, people correctly guess that I'm from Wisconsin. On occasion, some people will ask me if I'm from Canada. I figure it's close enough. I only live a couple of hours south of the border.

[Annoying]

NM? Is that like North Michigan or something?

See, see what I mean? Most people are like "do you have a green-card/passport?", or like "man, you speak English very well for a Mexican".

[Mercadi]

From time to time people think my accent is French (I only know a few words from it), one guy was convinced I'm German. But more often than not I get asked where the hell did I get my accent from.

[Iphie]

Been asked if I was local in England, I'm not. An american once confused me for an African-American...in the Netherlands, I wasn't amused. In Finland they ask where I'm from and take it in stride when I say I'm dutch.