You're from where?

• Author: Galanes, Philip
• Position: What Would You Do? - Brief article

I'm American-born and raised, but of overseas descent. I'm often asked, "Where are you from?" or even more insulting, "What are you?" I usually reply, "I'm American," but most people keep pressing. I believe that the questioner wants to make some assumptions based on the answer. Is there an appropriate way to answer these questions?

--S.D., California

THERE ARE, OF COURSE, a host of replies you can make, from "Why do you ask?" (which puts people on the defensive) to "What about you?" (which may lead to some sharing). The problem with any answer, however, is that it fails to prevent the question in the first...