Do European immigrants to Anglo nations still get often asked "where they come from" or get seen as "foreign" often?

[IloveYOU2]

Sometimes when they see my 12 letter Last name.

[WildColonialGirl]

Toll collectors ask where I'm from. That says it all, really.

[Richard1098]

Originally Posted by burgler09

I don't understand why it's a problem to ask someone where they come from? I always ask people where they are from when I talk to someone with an accent.

Anytime I'm abroad, I'm asked where I'm from the second I open my mouth. I am glad to tell them where I'm from and about our streets of gold.

Hell, when I'm in the United States I get asked where I am from due to my accent.. and I'm American. I go back to my original thought, everybody just wants a reason to cry, whine or be offended. Now we can't even ask someone where they're from because it could hurt their feelings? Give me a break.

Yep, I'm Australian born and bred but in different parts of the country I've been asked "where are you from?". It's invariably my south east urban mindset and attitudes that stand out in places like the Northern Territory or deeply conservative rural Queensland. People aren't trying to be difficult or offend, they're simply trying to understand a little better someone who stands out from the local norm.

Its strange how some migrants seem to be extremely proud and extroverted about their origins, yet others are so defensive..

[Miserere]

Originally Posted by markovian process

So the impression I get is, in Anglo countries (besides the US): it is mainly non-European ancestry people that get asked this.

In the US, non-European, non-African ancestry (neither white or black) get this.

Am I right?

In the UK (correct me if I'm wrong) such a question is considered rude unless you know the person.