what should I do ?

[Aupmanyav]

I will probably say Namaste but I don't want to ask "where they are from" i don't want to appear presumptuous. They may have been born here and I prefer not to appear pedantic.

That is not the way Hindus go about it. In villages, perfect strangers will not hesitate even a moment to ask as to what is your monthly income (Kitna kama lete ho? - How much do you make per month?). It is one of the standard questions.

 

[Kalidas]

That is not the way Hindus go about it. In villages, perfect strangers will not hesitate even a moment to ask as to what is your monthly income (Kitna kama lete ho? - How much do you make per month?). It is one of the standard questions.

What I meant was this. In America White people seem to have this issue of seeing someone who is of hispanic or asian descent and just walking up to them and saying "Hello, where are you from?", "Um hi I'm from Michigan." "No where is your family from?", "uuuhh Michigan also?" "no where did your grandparents come from, you know BEFORE America." It's so annoying, and I can only imagine how annoying that must be. I have never had someone come up to me and say "What part of Europe are you from?"

 

[Poeticus]

... This concern of how to approach the Other is quite the oddity. We're human as well. Just say hi.

 

[Kalidas]

... This concern of how to approach the Other is quite the oddity. We're human as well. Just say hi.

I'm not so sure about you lol

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

That is not the way Hindus go about it. In villages, perfect strangers will not hesitate even a moment to ask as to what is your monthly income (Kitna kama lete ho? - How much do you make per month?). It is one of the standard questions.

Ahahah oh my god I remember in India when complete random strangers at the market or temple asked me this question ! Culture shock right in the face, since in France it's almost a taboo to speak about money like that, especially how much you earn. Here, anyone will answer "that's none of your buisness" while in India, that's absolutely a normal thing to ask or to say how much money you earn or have.

Good memories

 

[Kalidas]

Ahahah oh my god I remember in India when complete random strangers at the market or temple asked me this question ! Culture shock right in the face, since in France it's almost a taboo to speak about money like that, especially how much you earn. Here, anyone will answer "that's none of your buisness" while in India, that's absolutely a normal thing to ask or to say how much money you earn or have.

Good memories

Same with the states, don't ever ask anyone that

 

[Vinayaka]

That is not the way Hindus go about it. In villages, perfect strangers will not hesitate even a moment to ask as to what is your monthly income (Kitna kama lete ho? - How much do you make per month?). It is one of the standard questions.

Yes indeed. As pilgrims we got that. I told them, even in rupees, and they were astonished. Then I'd tell them how it cost R15000 a month to heat the home, and then a few things on food prices. They were astonished again. To bad we can't earn here and live there. The economic comparisons are slowly evening out though.

 

[Maya3]

What I meant was this. In America White people seem to have this issue of seeing someone who is of hispanic or asian descent and just walking up to them and saying "Hello, where are you from?", "Um hi I'm from Michigan." "No where is your family from?", "uuuhh Michigan also?" "no where did your grandparents come from, you know BEFORE America." It's so annoying, and I can only imagine how annoying that must be. I have never had someone come up to me and say "What part of Europe are you from?"

I absolutely agree with this. Unless people have a clear accent it's not polite to ask.

Maya

 

[JField]

This is actually amusing, I was asked if I was Indian, I'm half Hispanic and though I doubt I look Indian, I am not quite "white" XD

 

[Vinayaka]

This is actually amusing, I was asked if I was Indian, I'm half Hispanic and though I doubt I look Indian, I am not quite "white" XD

It's really embarrassing to make a guess and be completely off base.

'Indian' is a really wide gamut of clothing, skin colour, and more.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

This is actually amusing, I was asked if I was Indian, I'm half Hispanic and though I doubt I look Indian, I am not quite "white" XD

My Hindi teacher lives in Jaipur (We skype lessons) and he told me a story of how a student of his brought a friend who was visiting to one of the in person classes. He started speaking Hindi to her, because he thought she was Indian. She was from Mexico.

So it's not just a white person thing where we can't tell anyone apart. It a people thing.

:camp:

 

[StarryNightshade]

This is actually amusing, I was asked if I was Indian, I'm half Hispanic and though I doubt I look Indian, I am not quite "white" XD

I wasn't mistaken for Indian, but while I was at a Turkish restaurant a few weeks ago, the owner thought that I was Turkish.

I'm boderline whiter-than-marshmellow-paste.

 

[ShivaFan]

... there was a person I knew, though I admit he was special both in personality and mindset and ability than "the average bear", who literally lived in India for many years and was considered Indian born. In fact, he was called a brahmin and he was treated as a favorite and well respected member of the community.

... he spoke perfect Hindi. And other languages as well. Though he initially arrived as an outsider, he knew more about Hinduism, local traditions, edict, and so on then most locals. He was even offered a marriage proposal even though no one knew or ever saw his parents who obviously were not involved in the negotiations, such had he become accepted. Yes, he was considered an Indian. He remained a bachelor however, he would never go that far.

... but he was a Cuban.

... they assumed, they never asked, and he never said.

Om Namah Sivaya

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

I had someone approach me once and ask me if I was Romanian. Then when I replied no, he went down the list of Eastern European countries.

I guess Eastern Europeans have a "look" and I have it.

I have also been asked, due to my art style, what Native American Tribe I'm a member of.(Answer:none that I know of)
:camp:

 

[Jainarayan]

This is actually amusing, I was asked if I was Indian, I'm half Hispanic and though I doubt I look Indian, I am not quite "white" XD

That's an interesting observation, well to me anyway...

On two occasions there was a very handsome young guy who came to temple, one time in business casual (slacks, open collar shirt), and another time he looked like... like he just came in from playing basketball... oh well

The point is that he struck me, and still does, as more Hispanic than Indian. He seemed to know what to do in temple. Of course it's possible that his family, or ancestors were a Spanish-Indian or Portuguese-Indian mix.

 

[Jainarayan]

I'm boderline whiter-than-marshmellow-paste.

Same here... and I've been asked if I'm Indian when people saw my tattoo or my pendant. When they ask if I've been to India (you know, the white person sporting Hindu or Indian accoutrements) and I say "no, not in this lifetime; maybe in a past life", the looks on their faces are priceless.

 

[Jainarayan]

And then we have the comment from the lady who does seva at temple, when I said I was unsure how I would be received because I am *ahem* "different". She said "pfft! no one is different, we're all the same".

 

[Poeticus]

... This concern of how to approach the Other is quite the oddity. We're human as well. Just say hi.

I'm not so sure about you lol

It shouldn't be something one should worry too much about. Then it comes across as forced, or trying too hard. Just be cool with it. Fluent. Smooth. I love Korean food, movies, socio-cultural facets, and history. Doesn't mean I ponder endlessly about how to approach Koreans in [downtown] Annandale, Virginia (Koreatown) when I take a visit there. A simple "hi" is often a wonderful conversation starter. As a Desi, the last thing I'd want is someone who I don't even know to randomly come up to me at an Indian or Desi grocery store and ask about Hinduism, India, and which Indian state I'm from - especially if the questions seem rehearsed.

 

[JField]

It shouldn't be something one should worry too much about. Then it comes across as forced, or trying too hard. Just be cool with it. Fluent. Smooth. I love Korean food, movies, socio-cultural facets, and history. Doesn't mean I ponder endlessly about how to approach Koreans in [downtown] Annandale, Virginia (Koreatown) when I take a visit there. A simple "hi" is often a wonderful conversation starter. As a Desi, the last thing I'd want is someone who I don't even know to randomly come up to me at an Indian or Desi grocery store and ask about Hinduism, India, and which Indian state I'm from - especially if the questions seem rehearsed.

Do you live in Virginia ?

 

[Poeticus]

Do you live in Virginia ?

... Howdy neighbor ! I'm a Marylander.