NationStates Jolt Archive

Something rather interesting happened to me today: Someone asked me if I was Middle Eastern. I explained that no, I was a Canadian. The guy asked if my ethnic background was Middle Eastern, then. Again, though, the answer is no. Given that Middle Eastern folks typically are better looking than Canadians, I was flattered by the query, but there really is no M-E blood in me. In actual fact I am a seventh-generation Scottish/Irish Canadian. There are family rumours about a Spanish girl marrying into the family a few hundred years ago, but that is it for genetic diversity so far (Although with luck my kids will be able to answer yes to a similar question).

I was wondering if anyone else out there ever gets mistaken as having someone else's ethnicity/nationality.

I was wondering if anyone else out there ever gets mistaken as having someone else's ethnicity/nationality.

Some guy thought I was English.


He's dead now.

Something rather interesting happened to me today: Someone asked me if I was Middle Eastern. I explained that no, I was a Canadian. The guy asked if my ethnic background was Middle Eastern, then. Again, though, the answer is no. Given that Middle Eastern folks typically are better looking than Canadians, I was flattered by the query, but there really is no M-E blood in me. In actual fact I am a seventh-generation Scottish/Irish Canadian. There are family rumours about a Spanish girl marrying into the family a few hundred years ago, but that is it for genetic diversity so far (Although with luck my kids will be able to answer yes to a similar question).

I was wondering if anyone else out there ever gets mistaken as having someone else's ethnicity/nationality.
well, some people asked if I was Chinese. while most correctly guess that I'm Japanese, a few actually get it right by gussing that I am Okinawian.

A sweaty, naked gentleman swore I was Norweigan.

The most I ever get is "You're not American, are you?"...I haven't even moved out of the state of Georgia my entire LIFE,lol. Apparently my geekiness has overpowered the potential redneck influences..

Some guy thought I was English.


He's dead now.


you mean you're not english?????

People mistake my nationality all the time. Often people ask me if I am English or German because I have an accent. (Actually it's a speach impediment that has become much less severe after taking many speech classes when I was younger.) Anyway, my accent doesn't sound anything like an English or German accent.

Indians have asked me if I'm Pakistani, Pakistanis have asked me if I'm Indian and Palestinians have asked me if I'm Syrian. Strange.

My parents were immigrants to the UK from different Middle Eastern countries. I'm English.

you mean you're not english?????

*eye twitch*

*eye twitch*

Judging by that twitch, eyed say you were a lizard.

*eye twitch*


:p

People frequently mistake me for a cat... Should I be worried?

Judging by that twitch, eyed say you were a lizard.


an english lizard? now that is strange

People frequently mistake me for a cat... Should I be worried?

You need to exploit this to its maximum usefullness. Attach a buttered piece of toast to your back and jump off of a very tall building, thus enabling us to scientifically answer an age-old conundrum.

You need to exploit this to its maximum usefullness. Attach a buttered piece of toast to your back and jump off of a very tall building, thus enabling us to scientifically answer an age-old conundrum.
That is a very good idea. Unfortunately, as I'm busy, would you mind substituting for me?

/Ties piece of buttered toast to your back and pushes you off building before you can answer/

A sweaty, naked gentleman swore I was Norweigan.
Now that I think of it, a teller told me I was French last week.

/Ties piece of buttered toast to your back and pushes you off building before you can answer/

How can you push something which only barely exists off a building? In fact, how did you manage to attach the toast? Czardas, you present a molecular enigma.

People always assume I'm English. This could be because I am.

My girlfriend is variously accused of being Indian, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan. She's Sri Lankan.

I could've sworn a guy on her course at uni was Spanish-American, but apparently he's Malaysian-English.

How can you push something which only barely exists off a building?
Like this: /pushes something that barely exists off a building/
In fact, how did you manage to attach the toast? Czardas, you present a molecular enigma.
Covalent bonding, duh!

I've been asked if I'm Jewish, Russian, Ukranian or one of those other Eastern European ethnicities.... I didn't think the blood from my mother's side of the family was so strong.

I'm Irish/Polish, people say I look Italian..

A couple of my friends once suggested I should dress up as Saddam Hussein for Halloween. They thought I look a little like him. I guess that means I look Iraqi.

I'm Californian but people sometimes mistake me for American.

A couple of my friends once suggested I should dress up as Saddam Hussein for Halloween. They thought I look a little like him.
Like he does now, or like he looked before the war?

Like he does now, or like he looked before the war?
Before. However after a serious drinking binge, after.

I was once accused of looking like Alan Rickman, but I guess that doesn't constitute ethnicity.

(The person who accused me became subject to a nasty accident):sniper:

Now that I think of it, a teller told me I was French last week.
A Russian mistook me for a Finn in January...

Something rather interesting happened to me today: Someone asked me if I was Middle Eastern. I explained that no, I was a Canadian. The guy asked if my ethnic background was Middle Eastern, then. Again, though, the answer is no. Given that Middle Eastern folks typically are better looking than Canadians, I was flattered by the query, but there really is no M-E blood in me. In actual fact I am a seventh-generation Scottish/Irish Canadian. There are family rumours about a Spanish girl marrying into the family a few hundred years ago, but that is it for genetic diversity so far (Although with luck my kids will be able to answer yes to a similar question).

I was wondering if anyone else out there ever gets mistaken as having someone else's ethnicity/nationality.

HAHAHAHHAH :D

Anyway, people typically think I'm Swedish or Norwegian....its probably my hair and height, I guess.

For the record by background is German/Austrian/Russian...no Scandanavian.

I'm Californian but people sometimes mistake me for American.
I'm Michiganian but people sometimes mistake me for Canadian, Norweigan, Finnish, French, Ålänning and American.
If only license plates determined nationality...

I've been asked if I'm Jewish, Russian, Ukranian or one of those other Eastern European ethnicities.... I didn't think the blood from my mother's side of the family was so strong.

Jewish isnt an eastern European ethnicity.

I'm Californian but people sometimes mistake me for American.

An easy mistake to make.

For the record by background is German/Austrian/Russian...no Scandanavian.
That depends. There were a lot of Swedes in what became Russia in the 17th and 18th century. The Vikings from nowadays Sweden did a lot in nowadays Russia. So, its not all that impossible. *nods*

Jewish isnt an eastern European ethnicity.
I'm well aware of that. I just happen to be listing it along with others.

I'm sooooo sorry if I made it seem like that... :rolleyes: What? Can't take a little sarcasm?

I've had people think I was:

- half Chinese
- Italian
- half Korean
- part "brown"
- Belgian

Not all at once, of course. I'm actually half white (Irish on my grandmother's side, German and Norwegian on my grandfather's side) and half Filipino.

I'm well aware of that. I just happen to be listing it along with others.

I'm sooooo sorry if I made it seem like that... :rolleyes: What? Can't take a little sarcasm?

Lol..no, its fine...I wasnt offended or anything.

I was just saying incase you didnt know, thats all.:)

Relax.

That depends. There were a lot of Swedes in what became Russia in the 17th and 18th century. The Vikings from nowadays Sweden did a lot in nowadays Russia. So, its not all that impossible. *nods*

Then maybe there is Viking blood in me? I dunno, people always said I lookd the part, but I always told them I'm not because of what I know my background to be.

It was funny, one time...during the year when we were reading Beowulf (sp), my teacher had me come up to the front of the class to portray, more or less, "what vikings looked like".

Also, I suppose Northern Germans (my family is from Berlin) could have some mixed Viking blood too, huh?

A sweaty, naked gentleman swore I was Norweigan.

Since you are from Åland, was that a surprise?

Also, I suppose Northern Germans (my family is from Berlin) could have some mixed Viking blood too, huh?
I dunno, its not like Germans just hung out in Germany and Vikings hung out in what is today the Nordic countries. People got around.

By national blood, I am supposed to be Polish, Saxon, and Native American ( a tribe that died out in the 1920's ). In the Polish, I could be Russian, more German, Mongolian and so forth. With the Saxon blood - the family story goes we were Scandinavian mercenaries - but I could very well be more Polish, actually Scandinavian or something else. On the Native American thing, the US government offered to give us money for it, so I'll just assume its true. Too bad pops turned them down and now none of his offspring ( including me ) are not eligible for free cash.

Nevertheless, ethnicity doesn't equal nationality. *nods*
Since you are from Åland, was that a surprise?
Presently I'm from Åland, but if you've read this post it is quite clear that I'm not originally from Åland.

Then maybe there is Viking blood in me? I dunno, people always said I lookd the part, but I always told them I'm not because of what I know my background to be.

It was funny, one time...during the year when we were reading Beowulf (sp), my teacher had me come up to the front of the class to portray, more or less, "what vikings looked like".

Also, I suppose Northern Germans (my family is from Berlin) could have some mixed Viking blood too, huh?

Vikings themselves got North Germanic origin.

Vikings themselves got North Germanic origin.
That's funny, 'cause I just read an article that said Germans got a Scandinavian origin. >.<

That's funny, 'cause I just read an article that said Germans got a Scandinavian origin. >.<

That might be true but the term viking is later...So north germans cant be of viking origin...

I dunno, its not like Germans just hung out in Germany and Vikings hung out in what is today the Nordic countries. People got around.

By national blood, I am supposed to be Polish, Saxon, and Native American ( a tribe that died out in the 1920's ). In the Polish, I could be Russian, more German, Mongolian and so forth. With the Saxon blood - the family story goes we were Scandinavian mercenaries - but I could very well be more Polish, actually Scandinavian or something else. On the Native American thing, the US government offered to give us money for it, so I'll just assume its true. Too bad pops turned them down and now none of his offspring ( including me ) are not eligible for free cash.

Nevertheless, ethnicity doesn't equal nationality. *nods*

Presently I'm from Åland, but if you've read this post it is quite clear that I'm not originally from Åland.

Agreed, my nationality is American, nothing else.

All this crap is just my background, which I enjoy knowing and talking about, but doesnt really matter today.

That might be true but the term viking is later...So north germans cant be of viking origin...
Are you talking about the history of the word or the people?

Anyhows, North Germany can kinda sorta be considered Denmark. Germans liked to proclaim the folks that lived in present day Norway, Sweden and Denmark spoke "low-German" during trading excursions in the Medieval era. Which makes sense, considering how they, linguistically speaking, should have the same origins and could kinda understand eachother and share a common, however more or less unknown, ancestry / place of origin.

Then again, we're entering an area I like to call "fuzzy science".

When I was stationed in Germany I was often mistaken for a local. I would be waiting for the light to change at a crosswalk and people would approach me and ask me something in German. I would ask if they spoke English and then they would give me this very puzzled look and apologize (sometimes in English) and then walk away. Rather creepy at times.

The funny thing is that my family is from the state I was stationed in (Hessen) but we came to North America just prior to the Revolution. My ancestor was one of the Hessian troops who was jumped by Washington on Christmas.

Another time, again in Germany, we were being given German classes by the Army. The instructor looked at my shirt and said "Herr Mockerman, you are German, why do you not speak German?" I said "I'm not German, I'm from Michigan." However, she was rather insistent that I was German and that I should speak German. She almost had a heart attack when I told her I spoke French. It was all in good fun, of course, but odd nonetheless.

I dunno, its not like Germans just hung out in Germany and Vikings hung out in what is today the Nordic countries. People got around.

By national blood, I am supposed to be Polish, Saxon, and Native American ( a tribe that died out in the 1920's ). In the Polish, I could be Russian, more German, Mongolian and so forth. With the Saxon blood - the family story goes we were Scandinavian mercenaries - but I could very well be more Polish, actually Scandinavian or something else. On the Native American thing, the US government offered to give us money for it, so I'll just assume its true. Too bad pops turned them down and now none of his offspring ( including me ) are not eligible for free cash.

Nevertheless, ethnicity doesn't equal nationality. *nods*

Presently I'm from Åland, but if you've read this post it is quite clear that I'm not originally from Åland.

Native American sounds odd there? Is your parents one of those american swedes who somehow ended up in finland?

The instructor looked at my shirt and said, "Herr Mockerman, you are German, why do you not speak German?"
That'd be nice, but my family came over before the American Revolution as well. We skipped out on the whole Napoleonic Wars-thing. I usually answer, "I'm from Michigan," when asked about my origins, too. Goes over more smoothly than, "I'm American!" and I know more about what I'm talking about than trying to explain what goes on in California and the rest of the country to someone. After all, since I've never been to California, its rather hard.
Native American sounds odd there? Is your parents one of those american swedes who somehow ended up in finland?
Nä, I came here on my own. :D

Another time, again in Germany, we were being given German classes by the Army. The instructor looked at my shirt and said "Herr Mockerman, you are German, why do you not speak German?" I said "I'm not German, I'm from Michigan." However, she was rather insistent that I was German and that I should speak German. She almost had a heart attack when I told her I spoke French. It was all in good fun, of course, but odd nonetheless.

Haha, thats funny. :p

What does Herr Mockerman mean?

Given that Middle Eastern folks typically are better looking than Canadians, I was flattered by the query, but there really is no M-E blood in me.

What?

What does a "Canadian" look like?

That's the gayest shit I ever heard.


I was wondering if anyone else out there ever gets mistaken as having someone else's ethnicity/nationality.

This one time I thought I was turning Japanese, I really thought so.

It turned out I was just whacking it.

Haha, thats funny. :p

What does Herr Mockerman mean?

Herr in this instance is German for "Mr." and Mockerman is my last name, which was on my shirt.

I usually answer, "I'm from Michigan," when asked about my origins, too.

Yeah, it does tend to go over better. Also, I think it's a bit more true, since I don't really identify with the rest of America.

That'd be nice, but my family came over before the American Revolution as well. We skipped out on the whole Napoleonic Wars-thing. I usually answer, "I'm from Michigan," when asked about my origins, too. Goes over more smoothly than, "I'm American!" and I know more about what I'm talking about than trying to explain what goes on in California and the rest of the country to someone. After all, since I've never been to California, its rather hard.

Nä, I came here on my own. :D

You are an american? and immigrated to Åland??

You are an american? and immigrated to Åland??
Not exactly. I'm on a stipendium and studying here, practicing Swedish and so forth.

I don't really identify with the rest of America.

Why not?

I have a niece whose ethnic background is entirely teutonic. German, Norwegian, and Swedish.

And yet she's constantly mistaken for Japanese or Inuit. It's amazing.

I was mistaken for English once. But since I'm Irish and the people in question hadn't heard me speaking I let them away with it. I think they were English themselves.

I've been asked if i'm Jewish, and so has my mom, but that's the only thing. Most people know i'm Italian by looking at me, they just don't know that i'm also English and Scottish until i tell them.

Not exactly. I'm on a stipendium and studying here, practicing Swedish and so forth.

LOL. I just thought why would anyone immigrate to a small island in the middle of nowhere. will you return to USA when your studies are done?

I have a niece whose ethnic background is entirely teutonic. German, Norwegian, and Swedish.

And yet she's constantly mistaken for Japanese or Inuit. It's amazing.
The lesson here: people are stupid or asians, inuits and teutons are more similar than one would guess

will you return to USA when your studies are done?
I get marched out of the country at 00.00 hours Finnish time on the sixth of August if I don't leave the country before then. I really don't have a choice. :p I'll be back in the States, yes. Planning my next excursion...

Why not?

Because, to be honest, I think that the American identity is rather contrived and artificial. Most of the outward displays of American patriotism were created for WWII or the Cold War.

When I lived in Colorado it only felt marginally more like home than Germany did, and that's mainly because of the English language and some familiar stores. The whole desert and Spanish thing made it feel rather foreign. I've spent quite a bit of time in Ontario and it feels vastly more like home than Colorado. Why should I identify with Colorado more than Ontario? So instead I identify solely as a Michigander. To me the term American is far too ambiguous, vague, and broad to have any attachment to.

I was wondering if anyone else out there ever gets mistaken as having someone else's ethnicity/nationality.
loads of people think i'm irish cuz i'm ginger. i've got a tiny bit if irish heritage but i've got more of loads of other things.

I have a niece whose ethnic background is entirely teutonic. German, Norwegian, and Swedish.

And yet she's constantly mistaken for Japanese or Inuit. It's amazing.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiighhhhht! :rolleyes:

The funny thing is that my family is from the state I was stationed in (Hessen) but we came to North America just prior to the Revolution...
Yay Hessen! I did an exchange in Kassel, it was great fun.

I've had people think I was:

- half Chinese
- Italian
- half Korean
- part "brown"
- Belgian

Not all at once, of course. I'm actually half white (Irish on my grandmother's side, German and Norwegian on my grandfather's side) and half Filipino.
you never get mistaken for american indian?

neal mccoy (famous country singer) half white/half filipino has said that he has had indians ask him what tribe he's from.

when my sister first visited new mexico she would consistently mistake indians for some kind of asians. she would comment on it and i would have to point out "no cissy, thats a navajo" (or whatever)

I always find it a hoot when a Jamaican is mistaken for an African. On the other hand, one of my more pale colleagues has recently become a citizen of the United States. He emigrated from South Africa, so he is proud to claim the title of African-American.

He emigrated from South Africa, so he is proud to claim the title of African-American.
Strange. All of the Africans I've met that immigrated to the States have refused to call themselves "African-American". Then again, they weren't all that pale, and preferred to call themselves just "African".

Strange. All of the Africans I've met that immigrated to the States have refused to call themselves "African-American". Then again, they weren't all that pale, and preferred to call themselves just "African".
It's a lot tongue-in-cheek. There aren't many Caucasians that qualify as African-Americans.

It's a lot tongue-in-cheek. There aren't many Caucasians that qualify as African-Americans.
I realize its supposed to be humorous, but... why do we say "tongue-in-cheek"?
Makes me looks like I just shoved a lemon in my mouth when I do it.

I realize its supposed to be humorous, but... why do we say "tongue-in-cheek"?
Makes me looks like I just shoved a lemon in my mouth when I do it.
A quick Google search turned up several etymology sites that said they didn't know either.

Well I am a white South African and I get asked if I am Russian. Not surprising- we can be equally fair skinned.

This Irishman has on several occasions been mistaken for a Scotsman...but that is an easy error to make. Especially if you live in the US and have neither of the accents.

My stepmom is Scottish, and we once went to a Scottish Festival. I was asked by several people what Clan I belonged to. I told them I was Irish...then came the wierd looks.

It's a lot tongue-in-cheek. There aren't many Caucasians that qualify as African-Americans.

I love it when white South Africans describe themselves as African American.

Charlize Theron is my favourite African-American actress.

I love it when white South Africans describe themselves as African American.

Charlize Theron is my favourite African-American actress.
I just go by repatriated European now.

I've been asked if I was British by a French cashier at an ice-cream shop in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, but I was speaking French at the time, so I guess she couldn't figure out whether or not I usually speak with a British accent because I do a pretty pure French accent when I speak.

I don't usually get ethnicity questions because I'm very blatantly European, all Scottish and German, with pale skin, green eyes and brown hair. Oddly, however, last year, I had a woman ask me if I was from Japan because I speak Japanese. I mean... what? I laughed pretty hard about it afterwards :X.

I love it when white South Africans describe themselves as African American.

Charlize Theron is my favourite African-American actress.
There was an interview on one of those awful talk shows like the "View". The girls were interviewing an actress that had just come back from Africa and was describing the awful living conditions for some of the tribes that she had visited. Somehow the conversation turned toward race or color and the interviewee had to describe a Negro. Or a black African. It was simple. But she couldn't use either of those words. Instead, she described the person of color as an "African-American" African. I laughed so hard that my wife thought I was sick.

There was an interview on one of those awful talk shows like the "View". The girls were interviewing an actress that had just come back from Africa and was describing the awful living conditions for some of the tribes that she had visited. Somehow the conversation turned toward race or color and the interviewee had to describe a Negro. Or a black African. It was simple. But she couldn't use either of those words. Instead, she described the person of color as an "African-American" African. I laughed so hard that my wife thought I was sick.
How utterly ridiculous. Black African (or even just African) would suffice. It has no negative connotations to it.

How utterly ridiculous. Black African (or even just African) would suffice. It has no negative connotations to it.
People with common sense know that, but those that are overwhelmed by the fear of offending others don't seem to be able to sort it out that fast.

People with common sense know that, but those that are overwhelmed by the fear of offending others don't seem to be able to sort it out that fast.
Yep. Usually, by the way, beyond calling white South Africans Afrikaaners, white Africans may get called Euro-Africans. Not usual though. But it's becoming more and more common. So I guess now that I am back in Europe I am a Euro-African European? :rolleyes:

Yep. Usually, by the way, beyond calling white South Africans Afrikaaners, white Africans may get called Euro-Africans. Not usual though. But it's becoming more and more common. So I guess now that I am back in Europe I am a Euro-African European? :rolleyes:
I'm so damned tired of hyphenated nationalities.

I'm so damned tired of hyphenated nationalities.
It's ridiculous. If I am in Africa, I am a white African. Now that I am in Europe, I am a South African born white European. Plain and simple. I don't understand this American trend of hyphenating that way. When it comes to continents, I don't think more than one descriptor is needed.

My ancestors were not that fussy about keeping close track of the family tree nor about keeping any bloodlines pure. I have no real clear idea about my complete ethnicity. If I were a dog Id be 50% mutt and half fence jumper.

Something rather interesting happened to me today: Someone asked me if I was Middle Eastern. I explained that no, I was a Canadian. The guy asked if my ethnic background was Middle Eastern, then. Again, though, the answer is no. Given that Middle Eastern folks typically are better looking than Canadians, I was flattered by the query, but there really is no M-E blood in me. In actual fact I am a seventh-generation Scottish/Irish Canadian. There are family rumours about a Spanish girl marrying into the family a few hundred years ago, but that is it for genetic diversity so far (Although with luck my kids will be able to answer yes to a similar question).

I was wondering if anyone else out there ever gets mistaken as having someone else's ethnicity/nationality.

I was confused with a giant bat once.

This Polish guy once asked me where I was from, as he couldn't place my accent. When I told him that I was English he insisted that I wasn't, telling me he wasn't sure exactly where I was from but it definetly wasn't England.

Hmmmm...Maybe my life is just a big practical joke which everyone I know is in on. I'm probably not even from England, I could be in France right now and I'm not speaking English, it's french. That would be weird...

(Although with luck my kids will be able to answer yes to a similar question).


have a middle eastern girl/boy friend(sorry i dont know your gender)?

or just really into trying to get diversity into your family?

I was pointed at and shouted at "Paki" (from Pakistani) once in london, by a drunken chap (I'm southern European). I love the fact that this guy is so ignorant he actually believes that being Pakistani is a bad thing. He's on my list...

People mistake me for mexican all the time. Ive also been called english, italian, spanish, portuges, russian and jewish. Im actually french/scot/german. *looks REALLY confused*

Noone's confused me with any other nationalities, but that's because I don't talk with many people outside my friends and family.

I'm a New Zealander. So far, I know that I'm also part-Welsh, part-English and part-Australian (:headbang: ). BAH! :mad:

i have often been confused as being a human

i have often been confused as being a human
Me too!! Wierd how these things happen.

Yeah, dumb humans! ;)

Yeah, dumb humans! ;)
They have funny accents!

Irish people ask if I'm German, Germans ask if I'm Irish, Italians ask if I'm English and Brits ask if I'm Italian.

I'm actually Sicilian.....as well as all the others (Yes, there's a difference between Sicilian and Italian).

The most I ever get is "You're not American, are you?"...I haven't even moved out of the state of Georgia my entire LIFE,lol. Apparently my geekiness has overpowered the potential redneck influences..hell yeah, long live goergia, am i right? im over here in lawrenceville.

you never get mistaken for american indian?

neal mccoy (famous country singer) half white/half filipino has said that he has had indians ask him what tribe he's from.

when my sister first visited new mexico she would consistently mistake indians for some kind of asians. she would comment on it and i would have to point out "no cissy, thats a navajo" (or whatever)
That has happened once or twice, now that I think about it. The others happen with a lot more frequency, though.

Canadian isn't an ethnicity. That spanish girl's genes may have showed up in you...or something else. Anything can happen with 6.5 billion people. A few months ago, a man and woman who were half-white or Hispanic and half-African had twins: one was light skinned, the other dark.

I've heard so many guesses about my nationality.


Ok, I've gotten first nations (none at all in my background), middle eastern (nope), italian (nope), spanish (nope), armenian (nope) I've been told that I look indian and pakistani in pictures.


But then I'm a european mutt, part scottish, irish, welsh, english, swedish, norwegian, french german (my mom's side), irish and eastern european (my dad's side) apparantly I've got some roma heritage somewhere on my dad's side too. It's kinda neat that people have all these weird ideas about where I'm from, and that I could probably go a lot of places and blend in alright.

I've heard so many guesses about my nationality.


Ok, I've gotten first nations (none at all in my background), middle eastern (nope), italian (nope), spanish (nope), armenian (nope) I've been told that I look indian and pakistani in pictures.


But then I'm a european mutt, part scottish, irish, welsh, english, swedish, norwegian, french german (my mom's side), irish and eastern european (my dad's side) apparantly I've got some roma heritage somewhere on my dad's side too. It's kinda neat that people have all these weird ideas about where I'm from, and that I could probably go a lot of places and blend in alright.

Theres only a few blances in the world I can "blend" in.

America, Canada, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Scandanavia...anywhere else I can think of I would basically stick out like a sore thumb.

I am American Indian. I get confused with in order of frequency

Mexican
Asian
Hawaiian

and lately
Middle Eastern

:headbang:

A Russian mistook me for a Finn in January...

so you shot him and 199 of his friends?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_War

I've been confused for a Mexican and an Italian before. That's about it.

:headbang: In one weak I've been asked if I was English,Australian aboriginia,had Native Americans argue about what tribe I'm from,and had one guy ask if I was born in this country(he thought I might be a terrorist) And occasionally get asked if I'm Hiwian(since I didn't spell it right you can guess)but that's only when I wear a :headbang: shirt.

Something rather interesting happened to me today: Someone asked me if I was Middle Eastern. I explained that no, I was a Canadian. The guy asked if my ethnic background was Middle Eastern, then. Again, though, the answer is no. Given that Middle Eastern folks typically are better looking than Canadians, I was flattered by the query, but there really is no M-E blood in me. In actual fact I am a seventh-generation Scottish/Irish Canadian. There are family rumours about a Spanish girl marrying into the family a few hundred years ago, but that is it for genetic diversity so far (Although with luck my kids will be able to answer yes to a similar question).

I was wondering if anyone else out there ever gets mistaken as having someone else's ethnicity/nationality.

Yep. It's kinda funny to get mistaken ( most of the time ) for ethnicities that AFAIK have owt to do with me.

I've heard so many guesses about my nationality.


Ok, I've gotten first nations (none at all in my background), middle eastern (nope), italian (nope), spanish (nope), armenian (nope) I've been told that I look indian and pakistani in pictures.


But then I'm a european mutt, part scottish, irish, welsh, english, swedish, norwegian, french german (my mom's side), irish and eastern european (my dad's side) apparantly I've got some roma heritage somewhere on my dad's side too. It's kinda neat that people have all these weird ideas about where I'm from, and that I could probably go a lot of places and blend in alright.

You arent a european mutt, completely, you got roma blood. I think you look south european.

Theres only a few blances in the world I can "blend" in.

America, Canada, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Scandanavia...anywhere else I can think of I would basically stick out like a sore thumb.

Why not France? Finland? Iceland? Netherlands? Belgium? etc etc. I think you'd blend in most european countries just well...

Something rather interesting happened to me today: Someone asked me if I was Middle Eastern. I explained that no, I was a Canadian. The guy asked if my ethnic background was Middle Eastern, then. Again, though, the answer is no. Given that Middle Eastern folks typically are better looking than Canadians, I was flattered by the query, but there really is no M-E blood in me. In actual fact I am a seventh-generation Scottish/Irish Canadian. There are family rumours about a Spanish girl marrying into the family a few hundred years ago, but that is it for genetic diversity so far (Although with luck my kids will be able to answer yes to a similar question).*snip*
Uh...you wanna explain that statement? How is that a "given"? Your sweeping generalization borders on racism/prejudice, and while I don't begrudge people's personal idiosyncrasies, I'd like to know how you arrived at it. Have you seen every Canadian? Have you seen everyone of Middle Eastern descent? Do you know that Canada, while not to the same extent as the US, is also a nation of immigrants?

It's just an incredibly arrogant and dismissive statement, and one that you're certainly entitled to, but where did your assumption come from?

A Russian mistook me for a Finn in January...
Dorsal, ventral or Huck?












...sorry, bad pun. :D

Why not France? Finland? Iceland? Netherlands? Belgium? etc etc. I think you'd blend in most european countries just well...

France, I'm not sure...I'm probably wrong but the French that I have seen dont look like me.

Finland and Iceland would be included in my Scandanavia...and I guess your right about Netherlands and Belgium. :)

I have had it questioned whether my surname came from Italian stock, when in fact it comes from the Scottish Borders sort of area, countless paternal generations ago.

I'm British/English/Yorkshire born-and-bread and I can't think of any time anyone thought that I personally was anything other than I am. Except for the guy asking if I had a lighter in Berlin and the reporter/camera-crew pouncing on West Berlin locals regarding some local issue or other who also mistook me for someone who was fluent enough to comprehend and respond in kind, and all parties so mentioned realised their erroroneous assumption as soon as the stumbling Deutsche started tumbling out of my mouth. ;)

[Nearly forgot. I got mistaken for a jouster once. I was at a place where jousting was happening and there were pictures of the competitors, together with their identifying colours and patterns, and while trying to point out the typical heraldic humour vis-a-vis the guy with surname "Mallet" having... well... a mallet... on his coat of arms, the people I was conversing with notice a commonality between his facial hair and my own and got the wrong end of the stick, momentarily, about what I was bringing to their attention. He won, by the way. While I was just in the stands, watching.]

France, I'm not sure...I'm probably wrong but the French that I have seen dont look like me.

Finland and Iceland would be included in my Scandanavia...and I guess your right about Netherlands and Belgium. :)

Finnish and Icelanders arent counted as Scandinavian. ;) They are nordic though. Actually even Denmark isnt in Scandinavia, geographically, but they are scandinavian due to cultural, historical, political, etc... reasons.
Edit: Oh about the french, especially northern french, are pretty blond. South parts are more latin I guess. Normandy were once settled by vikings.

I got told that I have "Russian eyebrows", once. Does that count?

I've been asked what part of Britain I'm from after pulling off Monty Python skits in Summer Camp.

A lot of people think I'm a Skip because my surname doesn't really sound Ukrainian (it is, though >_>).

I look mexican/palestinian due to my dark skin and European Jewish and American Indian heritage.

But I just call myself American and be done with it.

This thread is worthless without pics

so you shot him and 199 of his friends?
The individual in question is female. Get the facts straight.
...sorry, bad pun.
I doubt you are sorry but I will admit that the pun is terrible. You should be ashamed.
This thread is worthless without pics
I disagree. I look like an average pasty which means I will pretty much blend in anywhere where there are snowflakes.

Canadian isn't an ethnicity. That spanish girl's genes may have showed up in you...or something else. Anything can happen with 6.5 billion people. A few months ago, a man and woman who were half-white or Hispanic and half-African had twins: one was light skinned, the other dark.

The fact that an individual is "Hispanic" has no bearing on his or her fit in a given society's socio-phenotypic conceptions of any race.

The fact that an individual is "Hispanic" has no bearing on his or her fit in a given society's socio-phenotypic conceptions of any race.

Sure it does. Hispanic is a new race/ethnic group/group/whatever is P.C. right now.

It consits of people who are a mix between (Spain) Spanish/Afrikan/Indian...or some combination of the 3.

People think I'm hardcore scottish when they here my name. I'm actually only a bit Scottish. Nobody has ever mistaken me for a non-white person, though, due to the fact that my skin is about as colourful as a glass of skim milk.

People think I'm hardcore scottish when they here my name. I'm actually only a bit Scottish. Nobody has ever mistaken me for a non-white person, though, due to the fact that my skin is about as colourful as a glass of skim milk.
Yah for paleness!

Some people think I am German. There is only a very samll bit of German in me. I am mostly Scottish and English.

My swim team coach started speaking to me in Russian for a few minutes back when I joined my team. He thought I was Russian (like many of my other teammates). It was great because I sort of led him along, laughing and nodding like I understood.

People think I'm hardcore scottish when they here my name. I'm actually only a bit Scottish. Nobody has ever mistaken me for a non-white person, though, due to the fact that my skin is about as colourful as a glass of skim milk.

Whats your name then? Dont keep us in suspense. :p

I've never been mistaken for a non white either, for obvious reasons.

Whats your name then? Dont keep us in suspense. :p

I've never been mistaken for a non white either, for obvious reasons.

First name is Heather, last name is a secret...but if you lived in BC, you'd hear it every day.

First name is Heather, last name is a secret...but if you lived in BC, you'd hear it every day.

Ohhh, I thought by name you meant first name, not last.:p

Dont worry, I wouldnt give my last name out over the internet either.:)

You never know what kinda crazy freaks are out there...lurking.

*shifts a glance in Fass's general direction*

Ohhh, I thought by name you meant first name, not last.:p

Dont worry, I wouldnt give my last name out over the internet either.:)

You never know what kinda crazy freaks are out there...lurking.

*shifts a glance in Fass's general direction*

I'm not really scared about a gay guy hunting me down and raping me...

I'm not really scared about a gay guy hunting me down and raping me...


*Does double take*

What the hell is scarier then that!?

Maybe liquid fear perhaps, but nothing else I can think of.

First name is Heather, last name is a secret...but if you lived in BC, you'd hear it every day.
Heather Got Weed? Quite the unusual name.

Is there a name that I hear every day. Cambell comes to mind, usually following the word fuck, and Bush is pretty comon too.

Heather Got Weed? Quite the unusual name.

Is there a name that I hear every day. Cambell comes to mind, usually following the word fuck, and Bush is pretty comon too.

Cambell?

Heather Got Weed? Quite the unusual name.

Is there a name that I hear every day. Cambell comes to mind, usually following the word fuck, and Bush is pretty comon too.

No, sorry, none of those. But I think I'll change it to the first.

*Does double take*

What the hell is scarier then that!?

Maybe liquid fear perhaps, but nothing else I can think of.

What I meant is, why would a gay man rape me?

*Does double take*

What the hell is scarier then that!?

Maybe liquid fear perhaps, but nothing else I can think of.
Well, being a girl and all, I doubt she has to worry about being attacked by gays. Lesbians, on the other hand, could be a problem for her.

What I meant is, why would a gay man rape me?

*hangs head in shame*

Heather....Heather :headbang:

*hangs head in shame*

Heather....Heather :headbang:

Ha! Fool!

Cambell?
Sorry, I meant Campbell, as in Gordon.

Sorry, I meant Campbell, as in Gordon.

It's not that either. But I do know a girl named that...

Sorry, I meant Campbell, as in Gordon.

Your governor, why?

He seems to be an alright guy.

Ha! Fool!

I hope this doesnt come off as weird, but I love your name.

I hope this doesnt come off as weird, but I love your name.

Umm...thank you? What comes off as weird is that you think Canada has Governors.

Your governor, why?

He seems to be an alright guy.
Premier.

Anyways. Everyone hates him. He is a typical BC premier and that is never a good thing.

Umm...thank you? What comes off as weird is that you think Canada has Governors.

Eh..thats just American thinking. I think of BC as a state and your Premier as a Governor...thats all.

And I meant Terrorist Cakes, not Heather.

Premier.

Anyways. Everyone hates him. He is a typical BC premier and that is never a good thing.

Why?

Premier.

Anyways. Everyone hates him. He is a typical BC premier and that is never a good thing.

Is it bad if I agree with what it says in your sig?:confused:

Why?
They tend to do stupid things.

Capbell for example, banned "essential service" (basically the professions nessesary to the function of the province: doctors, teachers, and other government-paid workers) from striking. He spent his entire first term bitching about how the previous BC premier (Glen Clark) "bought votes" by sustantially increasing goverment spending before the election, which he ended up doing. He massively underfunded the public service. Most northern towns no longer have their own school, the kids have to ride poorly heated buses for up to an hour each way to attend school. He sold BCRail, even though one of his key election promises was to not sell BC rail.

Is it bad if I agree with what it says in your sig?:confused:
IMO, yes. But it could just be you have meet some fucked up feminists.

Sure it does. Hispanic is a new race/ethnic group/group/whatever is P.C. right now.

It consits of people who are a mix between (Spain) Spanish/Afrikan/Indian...or some combination of the 3.

In your view, are Louisiana Creoles Hispanic? Would the child of a Navaho and a Gambian who had a Spanish grandfather be Hispanic?

In common parlance, practically all Latin Americans - including many of relatively unmixed Spanish, African, or Indian descent (many standing well within the phenotypic bracket of one of their ancestral populations) - are Hispanics. Correspondingly, there is no singularly "Hispanic" physical aspect, and - as per my original point - it should not be presumed impossible for a Hispanic to be (in terms of phenotype or self-identification) "white", "African", or "Indian".

Moreover...

Additionally, a percentage of "Hispanics" (US definition) may trace their ancestries from non-Spanish European countries, the Middle East, or East Asia. Examples of these would include Argentinian and Uruguayan-born Italians (around one third of their countries' populations); Colombian, Ecuadorian, and Mexican-born Lebanese; Cuban, Puerto Rican and Panamanian-born Chinese; Chilean and Paraguayan-born Germans; or Peruvian-born Japanese.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispanic)

...are they not Hispanic?

Hispanic can also refer to REALLY white people. Whiter than this German/French/Scot! (people that happen to be born in latin american countries, but are full European decent [I sometimes make the mistake of calling them white, resulting in a verbal whipping]).

First name is Heather, last name is a secret...but if you lived in BC, you'd hear it every day.

Aha! A challenge...Hmmm...First, I need a friend in BC. I wonder where Leah lives...

Oh yeah...ummm...*shrug* I dunno, I seem to be pretty clear. Mom from Louisiana, dad from Alabama. Never been hard to figure out I suppose.

Aha! A challenge...Hmmm...First, I need a friend in BC. I wonder where Leah lives...

Oh yeah...ummm...*shrug* I dunno, I seem to be pretty clear. Mom from Louisiana, dad from Alabama. Never been hard to figure out I suppose.

Good luck!

Good luck!

Yay! ^_^.

Hmmm...How far is Nanaimo?

Given that Middle Eastern folks typically are better looking than Canadians,

Are you serious?

You like women with a strange odor who dont shave their facial hair and wear clothing that covers up their entire bodies??

Ill take a beautiful english/french canadian girl over that anyday.

Yay! ^_^.

Hmmm...How far is Nanaimo?

How far is it from where?

Are you serious?

You like women with a strange odor who dont shave their facial hair and wear clothing that covers up their entire bodies??

Ill take a beautiful english/french canadian girl over that anyday.

Isn't racism wonderful?

How far is it from where?

Uhh...I dunno. Would it be in an area where someone living there would hear your last name all the time?

Uhh...I dunno. Would it be in an area where someone living there would hear your last name all the time?

It's about two hours away from the place where my name is plastered on every street sign and building.

It's about two hours away from the place where my name is plastered on every street sign and building.

Kay...Are you related to someone famous or something? Maybe Wiki knows...

Kay...Are you related to someone famous or something? Maybe Wiki knows...

I don't think I'm actually related to him. There's a whole clan of us.

I don't think I'm actually related to him. There's a whole clan of us.

Ah...So...I'm looking for a famous name in some city in BC...Google, or Wiki?

P.S. Only the last name, right?

Ah...So...I'm looking for a famous name in some city in BC...Google, or Wiki?

P.S. Only the last name, right?

Only last. You know my first.

Isn't racism wonderful?

What he said is true.

Why does it have to be racism...why cant it just be that thats how it is?

Also, who in their right mind thinks arabs look better than Canadians?

Only last. You know my first.

Hmm....Alrighty then...Famous in BC...

Any of these?

Famous British Columbians

* Bryan Adams, musician
* Pamela Anderson, actress
* Gil Bellows, actor
* Earle Birney, poet
* Michael Bublé, singer
* Raymond Burr, actor
* Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister
* Yvonne de Carlo, actress
* Kim Cattrall, actress
* Hayden Christensen, actor
* James Doohan, actor
* Peter Dyakowski, athlete
* Edward Dmytryk, film director
* Atom Egoyan, screenwriter/director
* Arthur Erickson, architect
* Judith Forst, opera singer (contralto)
* David Foster, musician
* Dan George, native leader and actor
* Matthew Good, musician
* Michael J. Fox, actor and Parkinson's activist
* Terry Fox, athlete
* Don Francks, actor
* Nelly Furtado, singer/songwriter
* Nancy Greene-Raine, Olympic medalist (skiing)
* Rick Hansen, former Paralympian and disability activist
* Doug Hepburn, Empire Games medalist and founder of the sport of powerlifting
* Ben Heppner, opera singer (tenor)
* Joshua Jackson, actor
* Paul Kariya, hockey player
* Joe Keithley, punk singer/songwriter
* Gene Kiniski, professional wrestler
* Diana Krall, musician
* Kristin Kreuk, actress
* Evelyn Lau, author
* Silken Laumann, Olympic medalist (rower)
* Malcolm Lowry, novelist
* Sarah McLachlan, musician
* Leon Mandrake, magician ("Mandrake the Magician")
* Greg Moore, race car driver
* Carrie-Anne Moss, actress
* Steve Nash, NBA MVP
* Cam Neely, hockey player
* Scott Niedermayer, hockey player
* Rob Niedermayer, Scott's brother
* Jim Pattison, businessperson and Fortune 500 member
* Tony Pep, boxer/boxing coach-promoter
* Al Purdy, poet
* Jason Priestley, actor
* Ryan Reynolds, actor
* Joe Sakic, hockey player
* Jack Shadbolt, painter/sculptor
* Michael Shanks, actor
* Dorothy Stratten, actress/model
* David Suzuki, environmental advocate
* Margaret Trudeau, ex-wife of Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau
* Larry Walker, baseball player
* Steve Yzerman, hockey player

What he said is true.

Why does it have to be racism...why cant it just be that thats how it is?

Also, who in their right mind thinks arabs look better than Canadians?

Not every middle easterner is hairy and smelly. And, to use a cliche, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Some people might think white girls are more beautiful, but there are others who don't agree.

Any of these?

Nope. You're going to have to step back a few years.

Nope. You're going to have to step back a few years.

Hmm...What's he famous for?

Not every middle easterner is hairy and smelly. And, to use a cliche, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Some people might think white girls are more beautiful, but there are others who don't agree.

Have you been to the middle east?

The arabs I have seen and smelled are pretty hairy and smelly, lol.

Anyway, whats wrong with him saying that? I dont think thats racism...in fact, I think its sorta stupid when people jump the gun and accuse people of racism of every little thing there is.

People say Jews are rich, money hungry and smart all the time...and no one makes a federal case out of it.

I just think racism is sorta blown out of proportion now a days.

Hmm...What's he famous for?

That's too revealing. I can't tell you yet.

That's too revealing. I can't tell you yet.

Darn...Is it a kind of art?

Darn...Is it a kind of art?

Not that I'm aware...

Have you been to the middle east?

The arabs I have seen and smelled are pretty hairy and smelly, lol.

Anyway, whats wrong with him saying that? I dont think thats racism...in fact, I think its sorta stupid when people jump the gun and accuse people of racism of every little thing there is.

People say Jews are rich, money hungry and smart all the time...and no one makes a federal case out of it.

I just think racism is sorta blown out of proportion now a days.

No, I haven't been to the Middle East. But I have met plenty of people from the area. Incidently, they're not all "arabs" either.
Racism is when you group all people of a race together and make a rude or cruel judgement about them. Isn't that what you just did?
People may say those things about Jews. In fact, I'm sure they do. But does that permit people to be racist towards other groups, as well? It's like saying, "I can beat up this homeless guy 'cause lot's of people rob banks."

Not that I'm aware...

Athlete?

Athlete?

He's not known for that.

He's not known for that.

Feh...Fashion?

Feh...Fashion?

Nope. Think outside the Canoe...er, box.

I often get mistaken for german or something of that sort.

Im 100% Ashkenazim Jew, going as far back as anyone in my family can remember, but my various relatives lived all over eastern europe (Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Russia), but both my parents are from Moscow, Russia.

Btw, to the person on the second or third page, while "Jewish" isnt an eastern european ethnicity, "Ashkenazi" may as well be, since they lived there for ~2000 years and have over time grown to look a bit like their neighbors (though we are still genetically tracable back to the original middle eastern ancestors, same as arabs and sephardic/mizrahi/whatever Jews).

Nope. Think outside the Canoe...er, box.

...Canoe? Feeeh...Who get's on billboards in Canada anyways? Real estate agents?

...Canoe? Feeeh...Who get's on billboards in Canada anyways? Real estate agents?

He's not on billboards. But his name is everywhere...

He's not on billboards. But his name is everywhere...

Hmmm..."Jim Pattison, businessman and Fortune 500 member"?

Hmmm..."Jim Pattison, businessman and Fortune 500 member"?

No. You're still too contemporary.

No. You're still too contemporary.

Feh...Show business?

Feh...Show business?

No.

No.

John Bowron?

John Bowron?

No.

I often get mistaken for german or something of that sort.

Im 100% Ashkenazim Jew, going as far back as anyone in my family can remember, but my various relatives lived all over eastern europe (Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Russia), but both my parents are from Moscow, Russia.

Btw, to the person on the second or third page, while "Jewish" isnt an eastern european ethnicity, "Ashkenazi" may as well be, since they lived there for ~2000 years and have over time grown to look a bit like their neighbors (though we are still genetically tracable back to the original middle eastern ancestors, same as arabs and sephardic/mizrahi/whatever Jews).

That would be me back on the 2nd or 3rd page, I'm Ashkenazi also. Ashkenazi doesnt have to be eastern Euro, it could be central/western/northern...it doesnt matter. It actually means Germany which isnt exactly eastern Europe.

As to the second part, while it sounds good to say that all European Jewry traces back to the Hebrews, in reality, it doesnt. For one thing, there are conversion, usually small and rare, but sometimes huge, like that Caucasion civilization, I forget its name. So, while Jews may be able to trace some blood back to the cradle of life, its not worth much more than saying, "well, everyone is really African cuz we can trace their blood back to Africa."

Anyway, you are mistaken for German? What do you look like?

No.

Darn...a writer?

Darn...a writer?

No...La, what fun!

No, I haven't been to the Middle East. But I have met plenty of people from the area. Incidently, they're not all "arabs" either.
Racism is when you group all people of a race together and make a rude or cruel judgement about them. Isn't that what you just did?
People may say those things about Jews. In fact, I'm sure they do. But does that permit people to be racist towards other groups, as well? It's like saying, "I can beat up this homeless guy 'cause lot's of people rob banks."

Ok, but my point is. What does it matter. If you are really on a crusade to stop "racism" why not start with the OP. Claiming that arabs are so much better looking than Canadians is blatant "racism"....or does "racism" only work one way?

No...La, what fun!

:p John Rogers Anderson?

Can I get like, a letter or something?

:p John Rogers Anderson?

Can I get like, a letter or something?

No, it's not Anderson. But it has an A in it.

Ok, but my point is. What does it matter. If you are really on a crusade to stop "racism" why not start with the OP. Claiming that arabs are so much better looking than Canadians is blatant "racism"....or does "racism" only work one way?

Of course it goes both ways. The OP, however, never said anything like "Canadian girls are all pale, fat, and big-nosed," so it was much harder to find something to argue with. Like I said, we're all allowed to make our own choices when it comes to who is attractive. It's not, however, okay to make sweeping generalisations about a diverse group of people.

No, it's not Anderson. But it has an A in it.

Garry Ayre?

Awww...that's a vowel...

Garry Ayre?

I didn't say it had to begin with an A...

I didn't say it had to begin with an A...

Which I later realised, along wit the fact that lot's of names have vowels like a and e in 'em. :(

He a Vancouverite?

Which I later realised, along wit the fact that lot's of names have vowels like a and e in 'em. :(

He a Vancouverite?

He's dead.

He's dead.

...A dead Vancouverite?

Bob Alexander?

That would be me back on the 2nd or 3rd page, I'm Ashkenazi also. Ashkenazi doesnt have to be eastern Euro, it could be central/western/northern...it doesnt matter. It actually means Germany which isnt exactly eastern Europe.

As to the second part, while it sounds good to say that all European Jewry traces back to the Hebrews, in reality, it doesnt. For one thing, there are conversion, usually small and rare, but sometimes huge, like that Caucasion civilization, I forget its name. So, while Jews may be able to trace some blood back to the cradle of life, its not worth much more than saying, "well, everyone is really African cuz we can trace their blood back to Africa."

Anyway, you are mistaken for German? What do you look like?

I'm relatively pale and was sporting a mustache for a while there. I dont think I look German, but other people do. (The funny part is most of them only think I'm German after hearing me speak Russian to my parents or on the phone or something. I can understand them not recognizing the language, but they sound nothing alike >.<). I've also been mistaken for Syrian by this guy that works with me...

And you are correct in saying that Ashkenazim are not only Eastern European, but the largest populations were in German and migrated East with time. Research has been done into Ashkenazi genetics too, and has found we have matching mutations in our Ys as various other Semitic peoples, Here for source. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkenazi#DNA_clues)

The Jewish communities in Europe were relatively insular and didnt breed with the local populace that much, rather marrying other Jews even if they were first cousins (Which in turn, eventually led to diseases such as Tay-Sachs and all the other fun stuff thats specific to Ashkenazim). Conversions were also relatively rare.

...A dead Vancouverite?

Bob Alexander?

A don't think he lived in Vancouver.

A don't think he lived in Vancouver.

...A dead Victorian?

Gerald Smedley Andrews?

...A dead Victorian?

Gerald Smedley Andrews?

It doesn't start with A.

It doesn't start with A.

I know, but the list is alphabetical. Bill Cameron?

I know, but the list is alphabetical. Bill Cameron?

No. It's much more widely said than that. Not always as a name, but as a place, a geographic feature...And it's Scottish.

No. It's much more widely said than that. Not always as a name, but as a place, a geographic feature...And it's Scottish.

Hmmm...Andrew Carnegie? :p

That would be me back on the 2nd or 3rd page, I'm Ashkenazi also. Ashkenazi doesnt have to be eastern Euro, it could be central/western/northern...it doesnt matter. It actually means Germany which isnt exactly eastern Europe.

As to the second part, while it sounds good to say that all European Jewry traces back to the Hebrews, in reality, it doesnt. For one thing, there are conversion, usually small and rare, but sometimes huge, like that Caucasion civilization, I forget its name. So, while Jews may be able to trace some blood back to the cradle of life, its not worth much more than saying, "well, everyone is really African cuz we can trace their blood back to Africa."

Anyway, you are mistaken for German? What do you look like?
Khazars are what they were called. I'm often mistaken for english, which isn't that surprising as I'm a quarter english and the irish look like them anyway.
Although a lot of this is kinda silly eg. My surname is Norman. Which means that I'm part french and part viking, if a really long time back and my mother's maiden name is an old english name so throw in saxon. Both my other grandparents have traditional celtic names. But the celts came from Austria so guess what!
Get my drift?

Hmmm...Andrew Carnegie? :p

Not quite. :rolleyes:

Not quite. :rolleyes:

:eek:

Sir Robert McAlpine...

:eek:

Sir Robert McAlpine...

Still not there.

Still not there.

Mungo Park.

Mungo Park.

You wish!

You wish!

Maayybe...:p

He a musician?

John Abercrombie

Maayybe...:p

He a musician?

John Abercrombie

Not a musician. I've already essentially revealed his profession.

Not a musician. I've already essentially revealed his profession.

The canoe thing?

___ Macdonald?

The canoe thing?

___ Macdonald?

Not Macdonald!

Not Macdonald!

Well, they do consider it a place...:p

Douglas Haig?

Dina, you've already exceeded your 20 questions limit. :p

Everyone requires an e-mail to enter the forum. With a bit of hackery, you can extract TC's e-mail, plug it into certain online services, and get back full name, address, telephone number, criminal record, and lots of other useful information.

Paranoid yet Heather? :p

Of course it goes both ways. The OP, however, never said anything like "Canadian girls are all pale, fat, and big-nosed," so it was much harder to find something to argue with. Like I said, we're all allowed to make our own choices when it comes to who is attractive. It's not, however, okay to make sweeping generalisations about a diverse group of people.

You need to have better self confidence. Theres nothing wrong with being pale. Being fat is easily reversable...just work out or eat right. And as for big-nosed, who the hell cares...my nose is messed up too having been broken tons of times from water polo and basketball. Anyway, if you really care about it that much, get a nose job, or just think of it this way. The Euro monarchs had big noses too, which was considered elegant and a mark of high class, lol.

Anyway, I still think the whole "racism" thing is stupid. I mean, whatever happend to the time when people could say what they want, and if people didnt like it, they either ignored it or countered it. Applied racism...like discriminating in the workplace and such is much different than....racist jokes, generalizations...ect. It just seems like a big fuss over nothing to me.

Well, they do consider it a place...:p

Douglas Haig?

Very funny...no, think of geographic land forms. I won't tell you if you got it right on the forums, though.

Dina, you've already exceeded your 20 questions limit. :p

Everyone requires an e-mail to enter the forum. With a bit of hackery, you can extract TC's e-mail, plug it into certain online services, and get back full name, address, telephone number, criminal record, and lots of other useful information.

Paranoid yet Heather? :p

The questions don't count if I delete the previous posts, ha! Sides, the last time I did something hacker-ish, I got yelled at...

Very funny...no, think of geographic land forms. I won't tell you if you got it right on the forums, though.


Was he in the Olympics?

Alas?

You need to have better self confidence. Theres nothing wrong with being pale. Being fat is easily reversable...just work out or eat right. And as for big-nosed, who the hell cares...my nose is messed up too having been broken tons of times from water polo and basketball. Anyway, if you really care about it that much, get a nose job, or just think of it this way. The Euro monarchs had big noses too, which was considered elegant and a mark of high class, lol.

Anyway, I still think the whole "racism" thing is stupid. I mean, whatever happend to the time when people could say what they want, and if people didnt like it, they either ignored it or countered it. Applied racism...like discriminating in the workplace and such is much different than....racist jokes, generalizations...ect. It just seems like a big fuss over nothing to me.

I'm not calling myself pale, fat, and big nosed. I'm fair, and my nose is long, but I'm definately not fat. It was just a random string of traits that could belong to canadians.
You might think that racist jokes don't hurt people, but they can. What's funny to one person might be very serious to another. Just because jewish jokes don't irritate you doesn't mean that arab jokes don't irrate arabs. In my opinion, it's better to play it safe than to risk hurting someone.

The questions don't count if I delete the previous posts, ha! Sides, the last time I did something hacker-ish, I got yelled at...
Since I made that post though, everyone will be able to tell. I don't plan to delete it. :P

TC -- I have a sneaking suspicion...

Was he in the Olympics?

Alas?

No...the Olympics were'nt revived when he was around...

Since I made that post though, everyone will be able to tell. I don't plan to delete it. :P

TC -- I have a sneaking suspicion...

Uh-oh....

Dina, you've already exceeded your 20 questions limit. :p

Everyone requires an e-mail to enter the forum. With a bit of hackery, you can extract TC's e-mail, plug it into certain online services, and get back full name, address, telephone number, criminal record, and lots of other useful information.

Paranoid yet Heather? :p

I don't think I gave my real name to my e-mail provider. Does that change things...?

Since I made that post though, everyone will be able to tell. I don't plan to delete it. :P

TC -- I have a sneaking suspicion...

And, as the omniscient ruler of the omniverse, you suspect that?...

I don't think I gave my real name to my e-mail provider. Does that change things...?
Only slightly. Not to mention that it could still return the IP address, and there are ways to extract information from that as well.

I have a special e-mail address for NationStates and other online forums alone, which I created on another computer and always log into it from there, and I'm paranoid about even posting pictures of myself or releasing my first name to the internet. :)

No...the Olympics were'nt revived when he was around...

Hmmm...before 1896 then?

...Cliff? :p

I'm relatively pale and was sporting a mustache for a while there. I dont think I look German, but other people do. (The funny part is most of them only think I'm German after hearing me speak Russian to my parents or on the phone or something. I can understand them not recognizing the language, but they sound nothing alike >.<). I've also been mistaken for Syrian by this guy that works with me...

And you are correct in saying that Ashkenazim are not only Eastern European, but the largest populations were in German and migrated East with time. Research has been done into Ashkenazi genetics too, and has found we have matching mutations in our Ys as various other Semitic peoples, Here for source. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkenazi#DNA_clues)

The Jewish communities in Europe were relatively insular and didnt breed with the local populace that much, rather marrying other Jews even if they were first cousins (Which in turn, eventually led to diseases such as Tay-Sachs and all the other fun stuff thats specific to Ashkenazim). Conversions were also relatively rare.

What color hair and eyes do you have? Are you tall? Also, how the hell can you be mixed up for German AND Syrian!?!?:p

The Article you gave me states that this whole thing isnt really clear, and also the Jewish men made communities with the native women. Also, this study says it accounts for 40% of Ashkenazi, what about the other 60%, the majority? Also, it says that the people used for samples in this artcle, was a tiny group and not randomly chosen. And at the end of the article, it says that in the future, with better technology, we can hope for a better answer and better results...Basically...this test has alot of flaws. Read the whole thing.

Its true that lots of the population didnt convert, but remember, it doesnt take that many converts to affect the Jewish population, as its a very very small percantage out of the population as a whole. Also, theres no way we can all trace back to the Hebrews, because until the Dispora, the Hebrews were warriors who forced conversion onto people...thereby makeing non ethnic Hebrews Jews.

Plus...this aricle is probably the most impotant on Ashkenazi. Its about how tons of us come from a caucasion group called the Khazars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khazars#Conversion_to_Judaism_and_relations_with_world_Jewry). Read up. :)

Hmmm...before 1896 then?

...Cliff? :p

Not Cliff, but yes, a long time before 1896.

Not Cliff, but yes, a long time before 1896.

Samuel Dale.

And, as the omniscient ruler of the omniverse, you suspect that?...
Naturally, while I know all, I will continue to play with you the way I play with mice or a ball of yarn. :)

Does it involve, in part or in full, some form of the word 'Alpine'?

Something rather interesting happened to me today: Someone asked me if I was Middle Eastern. I explained that no, I was a Canadian. The guy asked if my ethnic background was Middle Eastern, then. Again, though, the answer is no. Given that Middle Eastern folks typically are better looking than Canadians, I was flattered by the query, but there really is no M-E blood in me. In actual fact I am a seventh-generation Scottish/Irish Canadian. There are family rumours about a Spanish girl marrying into the family a few hundred years ago, but that is it for genetic diversity so far (Although with luck my kids will be able to answer yes to a similar question).

I was wondering if anyone else out there ever gets mistaken as having someone else's ethnicity/nationality.
Perhaps you are Eskimo?

Samuel Dale.

No.

No.

William Glen?

Naturally, while I know all, I will continue to play with you the way I play with mice or a ball of yarn. :)

Does it involve, in part or in full, some form of the word 'Alpine'?

No!

William Glen?

Dude, it has to do with a canoe and something scottish and some geological formation.

OPEN YOUR EYES!

William Glen?

Nope. You guys are being too general with the land-form thing. I meant a very specific place.

Dude, it has to do with a canoe and something scottish and some geological formation.

OPEN YOUR EYES!

I suppose you know, then?

I suppose you know, then?

Isnt it obvious.

However, I will respect your privacy. After all, I wouldnt want someone posting my last name over the internet.

No!
Good. Just making Dina's job easier.

/Sits back with a tub of popcorn, watches guessing game, waits to see when someone pulls out the BC atlas/

Dude, it has to do with a canoe and something scottish and some geological formation.

OPEN YOUR EYES!

Oh yeah? Why don't ya start guessing then? We can make a topic, "Guess Terroist Cakes' last name". Compile all our hints.

Isnt it obvious.

However, I will respect your privacy. After all, I wouldnt want someone posting my last name over the internet.

It's not Mackenzie, for clarification. Otherwise, I guess you do know it.

What color hair and eyes do you have? Are you tall? Also, how the hell can you be mixed up for German AND Syrian!?!?:p

The Article you gave me states that this whole thing isnt really clear, and also the Jewish men made communities with the native women. Also, this study says it accounts for 40% of Ashkenazi, what about the other 60%, the majority? Also, it says that the people used for samples in this artcle, was a tiny group and not randomly chosen. And at the end of the article, it says that in the future, with better technology, we can hope for a better answer and better results...Basically...this test has alot of flaws. Read the whole thing.

Its true that lots of the population didnt convert, but remember, it doesnt take that many converts to affect the Jewish population, as its a very very small percantage out of the population as a whole. Also, theres no way we can all trace back to the Hebrews, because until the Dispora, the Hebrews were warriors who forced conversion onto people...thereby makeing non ethnic Hebrews Jews.

Plus...this aricle is probably the most impotant on Ashkenazi. Its about how tons of us come from a caucasion group called the Khazars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khazars#Conversion_to_Judaism_and_relations_with_world_Jewry). Read up. :)

Picture (http://www.geocities.com/lvydro/DSC00972.jpg) Thats my high school graduation a year ago. I've since shaved the mustache but other than that look fairly similar.

I dont think I look very german, but hey, people can think what they want.

As for Ashkenazi genetics, you are right in that the various results are conflicting. I've never heard of the Khazars before, so I'm gonna do some reading up on that. :) Interesting stuff

Oh yeah? Why don't ya start guessing then? We can make a topic, "Guess Terroist Cakes' last name". Compile all our hints.

I think two people already know.

Good. Just making Dina's job easier.

/Sits back with a tub of popcorn, watches guessing game, waits to see when someone pulls out the BC atlas/


Hmm...well, I don't have an actual atlas, but google maps would work right?

Is this place in BC, Scotland, or somewhere else?

Picture (http://www.geocities.com/lvydro/DSC00972.jpg) Thats my high school graduation a year ago. I've since shaved the mustache but other than that look fairly similar.

I dont think I look very german, but hey, people can think what they want.

As for Ashkenazi genetics, you are right in that the various results are conflicting. I've never heard of the Khazars before, so I'm gonna do some reading up on that. :) Interesting stuff

You look almost exactly like a Russian kid at my school!

Anyway, yeah...read up on the Khazars if you want to know about European Jewry.

Once I get my pictures uploaded into the comp, Ill show you mine if you want.

Hmm...well, I don't have an actual atlas, but google maps would work right?

Is this place in BC, Scotland, or somewhere else?

Well, I told you that you would likely hear the word alot in BC...

It's not Mackenzie, for clarification. Otherwise, I guess you do know it.
;)

I think two people already know.
At least two.

I think two people already know.

Well darn, I've never been good at guessing...always did hate that guess-and-check method...Maybe they could TG me the answer...:D

Also...Umm...Canyon? :p

Well darn, I've never been good at guessing...always did hate that guess-and-check method...Maybe they could TG me the answer...:D

Also...Umm...Canyon? :p

Heather Canyon? Does that sound Scottish...?

At least two.

:(


(hey, the smilies moved again...GASP! :p is missing)

Well darn, I've never been good at guessing...always did hate that guess-and-check method...Maybe they could TG me the answer...:D
Come now, that would spoil our fun... :D

Heather Canyon? Does that sound Scottish...?

I had to say something...Kootenay (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kootenay_National_Park)?