Then again, some of my U.S. friends have trouble answering "what state are you from?" because they grew up in a few different ones. It's all relative : )
As a kid, I'd say "Technically, I'm from (passport country)." If asked why "technically" I'd say we moved around a lot. Sometimes I'd say "I'm from my parents" and leave it at that.
i am actually writing an essay in English about how military brats answer that question, i personally might say any # of things but anybody wants to give me some help plz do
i am actually writing an essay in English about how military brats answer that question, i personally might say any # of things but anybody wants to give me some help plz do
i am actually writing an essay in English about how military brats answer that question, i personally might say any # of things but anybody wants to give me some help plz do
It depends on who I'm talking to. That question, along with "What do you call home", is dreaded. I try to avoid having to explain my situation because it just makes me look like an even bigger freak than I am to most people, and prompts way too many questions. I usually just say "I live in...." (fill in the blank.) It works for some people, but others catch the switch and ask more questions.
Thanks for getting the discussion going with this video. I am a TCK, and very proud of it too. Grew up in a couple of different countries.
I usually just tell people "its a long story" or that "I am from a lot of places" . These answers usually just get people wanting to know even more and asking more questions. But really I don't mind.
I say France if I don't feel like expanding. France originally, if I want to possibly encourage further discussion. or if im in a really talkative mood--france originally, then moved to X, now im in Y. heck, sometimes even when i just say france, half the time people either: 1) assume I have some kind of french heritage but im american, or 2) ask why I dont have a french accent.
then again my story isn't as crazy as that of a lot of TCKs. just 2 countries.
I give my answer depending on the cultural IQ of the other person. Most of the time, I just say what I think the other person expects to hear me say...in order not to surprise him/her...or bothersome further queries. For example: if the person is mature culturally, I might explain in detail about my whole story. But if the person is just a passing acquaintance, I would just tell him what he probably expect me to say where I'm from.
You say I'm half and half cause thats the blood you carry. Half your father and half your mother... You could be born in space that doesnt make you a space person and its only a paper work that says you are born in such and such a place....
@FlyNavy87 Saying, " I'm kinda from all over the place" doesn't work, because it just prompts more questions...they just follow up by saying, "No, what I mean is where were you born originally?", and somehow trying to link your birth place with their expectations of your behavior. And then a flood of other questions, " ...but how come you don't speak..." etc. etc....
Me, I read people fairly quickly. If in the first few moments they strike me as a person I'd like to converse with (open-minded, interested, they have time to listen, I like them) then I say, "I have dual citizenship, but I was born in ___, I grew up in ___ 'till I was 10, then we moved to ___ which was my home base for 18 years, and then I moved to the US in 2003. I speak three languages. Home is where I am right now".
If they don't pass those qualifications, I say, "I'm from Michigan". Haha!
@ChiyokoMcNair You can do that ...saying "I'm from Michigan." if you fit the profile...but if you don't, then they query you further, or doubts what you say, or etc, etc...
I usually say, "That depends, what's your definition of 'from'"? Of course, then I tend to go into the whole rattle of everywhere I've lived. I have to say, it does get tiring. I think I need to just print it up & carry it with me. It'd be easier.
I have a few different answers. Usually I say "Everywhere" and then add that I've moved so much that I don't know anymore. Sometimes I try to be vague if I'm in a bad mood and don't want to explain AGAIN, and I'll say "My parents are in ___ at the moment". Those that are smart enough to catch that I didn't actually say where I'm from and ASK, I'll reward with a full (complicated) answer.
i give a similar answer as you usually, or if im in a particular mood I might say I'm from planet earth and then try to start a philosophical discussion about how you can't see any lines dividing countries on earth from space.
My answer to the people is born in Detroit Michigan but my parents are from Bangladesh.i am a tck and there are people sometimes that will ask me where I'm from and when i tell them where i 'm from, they also have many other question to ask like how did u come to America of how did ur parents get here
It usualy depends on the context! I often find myself advocating for the underdog or the underrepresented place - if someone says something uneducated about Nigeria, I can speak up as a Nigerian, same for Latin America, other parts of Africa, the US.
But a friend of mine recently asked me: "what are you?" This question is not as simple as the first one. I recently came to the conclusion that -I think as an Asian, act as an American, and feel as a Mexican- I told my friend just that; this is who I am, and my friend told me "well, that's complicated." I can't say that one of the three cultures I grew up in is more prominent than the other because those three meshed together harmoniously make up who I am.
Yeah, it's the typical question in a conversation; people ask that by default, usually. I try to keep it simple, I am a missionary kid who's Asian parents currently live in Mexico, studying in the U.S.; so I simply say "I am from Mexico" b/c that's where my parents live.
Whenever I tell people where I come from, always followed with more questions.
Don't know why many Americans are poor in geography-
"Where is that place?" " OK, when I look at the map- how to find it?"
Most Americans do not know that Asians speak two or more languages-
"You speak good english, you learn it in US?" I guessed they compared me with some Asians they met in Asian stores or in the Chinese restaurants here in US.
I agree with a lot of what I saw here. I have to read the person asking me before I answer this question. Many times if the person is an acquaintance and is just being polite I keep is simple and either say where I am currently living or simply say, "I grew up overseas". I let them lead me in how much they really want to know. If they ask further questions, of course I answer, other wise I don't go into it. I think some people find it too intimidating or maybe even perceive it as bragging.
I say "I was born in Washington DC, raised in Ohio, lived in 6 US states for more than a year, lived outside the US since 1984 in Japan (Asia), Chad (Africa), Ireland and France (Europe). I have the American and French passports."
I can add my 3 kids are born in France, have both the US and French passports - even though my youngest has never been to the US.
I have vacationed in 46 US states, worked in 74 countries and have had a US, Japanese, Chadian, Irish and French driving permit.
I have my own stuttering response to that question, but I prefer this story. I recently reconnected with a friend from my time in the Philippines. All my life I'd thought she was "from" Bangladesh. When another friend posed the same question to her at a party a few weeks ago, I stood back smiling, waiting to see how she'd respond. Imagine my surprise when she said New Jersey!
I usually say, "I live in Japan." If people ask me if I'm Japanese, I answer that the US issued my passport. If they seem to want to know more, then I'll explain more.
Over the years (50+),I've learned to read my questioner. If it's just polite conversation, stopping at the city of my current residence is usually sufficient. I used to answer, "That's the leading question of my life!" and go into a brief summary, but learned that watching eyes glaze over wasn't a pretty sight. But if there's real interest, or if I'm wanting the conversational advantage (heh!), I answer with details like "born and raised in Japan in a missionary family", "bilingual", etc.
"Where are you from" is a question that poses me to ask back "Do you have 15 hours?" If they are willing, I give them my long version (of my parents and countries I've grown up in) and if not, I give them a short version.
I learned that Ruth Hill Useem coined the term third culture kid. I am thankful to have discovered the book Third Culture Kid: The Experience of Growing up Among Worlds.
Whats really funny is that when you meet new people, they usually ask you "Hey, so where are you from?", as a conversation question or out of courtesy/politeness and...
I end up having to tell them a lonnng story, to answer a simple conversation opener question.
I'm relatively new in the ATCK self-identification. 2 years ago when s.o. told me about this concept I thought that sounds like me. For the first time I felt there was a term to describe me. The more I learn about it the more I am glad s.o. came up w/ this term. This video is awesomely describing how I've been feeling since I was about 3 years old. I was born in England to Turkish and Algerian parents and I grew up mostly in Istanbul and lived in the US for the last 3-6 years.
Then again, some of my U.S. friends have trouble answering "what state are you from?" because they grew up in a few different ones. It's all relative : )
Nilaratna 1 week ago
As a kid, I'd say "Technically, I'm from (passport country)." If asked why "technically" I'd say we moved around a lot. Sometimes I'd say "I'm from my parents" and leave it at that.
Nilaratna 1 week ago
I thought that I would say "from deymos" (it's a moon of Mars) but somehow I never dare.
I have a friend who enjoys puzzeling people by telling them where he just was in the previons hour. like " I finished work one hour ago"
yamcachol 1 month ago
I say I'm from all over but I consider Virginia home.
vaporosoez 1 month ago
I just say I'm from all around the world...
irisoftop 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
i am actually writing an essay in English about how military brats answer that question, i personally might say any # of things but anybody wants to give me some help plz do
15Crusoe91 5 months ago in playlist TCK
This has been flagged as spam show
i am actually writing an essay in English about how military brats answer that question, i personally might say any # of things but anybody wants to give me some help plz do
15Crusoe91 5 months ago in playlist TCK
i am actually writing an essay in English about how military brats answer that question, i personally might say any # of things but anybody wants to give me some help plz do
15Crusoe91 5 months ago in playlist TCK
"OH GOD, NO!!!" (one possible answer)
TyrannySue 5 months ago
It depends on who I'm talking to. That question, along with "What do you call home", is dreaded. I try to avoid having to explain my situation because it just makes me look like an even bigger freak than I am to most people, and prompts way too many questions. I usually just say "I live in...." (fill in the blank.) It works for some people, but others catch the switch and ask more questions.
auntafrica 8 months ago
"How long do you have?", oh and I used to sometimes say "Saturn"
TyrannySue 9 months ago
"How long do you have?"
TyrannySue 9 months ago
Hello,
Thanks for getting the discussion going with this video. I am a TCK, and very proud of it too. Grew up in a couple of different countries.
I usually just tell people "its a long story" or that "I am from a lot of places" . These answers usually just get people wanting to know even more and asking more questions. But really I don't mind.
MrBrandnewpc 1 year ago
I say France if I don't feel like expanding. France originally, if I want to possibly encourage further discussion. or if im in a really talkative mood--france originally, then moved to X, now im in Y. heck, sometimes even when i just say france, half the time people either: 1) assume I have some kind of french heritage but im american, or 2) ask why I dont have a french accent.
then again my story isn't as crazy as that of a lot of TCKs. just 2 countries.
maiawela 1 year ago
Sometimes, I'm really jealous of people who can just say, "I'm from XXXX." without all the qualifiers.
stargen5 1 year ago 3
I give my answer depending on the cultural IQ of the other person. Most of the time, I just say what I think the other person expects to hear me say...in order not to surprise him/her...or bothersome further queries. For example: if the person is mature culturally, I might explain in detail about my whole story. But if the person is just a passing acquaintance, I would just tell him what he probably expect me to say where I'm from.
stargen5 1 year ago
@stargen5 sounds sensable, I think I will try
yamcachol 1 month ago
You say I'm half and half cause thats the blood you carry. Half your father and half your mother... You could be born in space that doesnt make you a space person and its only a paper work that says you are born in such and such a place....
ysiblini 1 year ago
I usually just say, "I'm kinda from all over the place." Sometimes I just say where ever I lived last to avoid having to explain :)
FlyNavy87 1 year ago
@FlyNavy87 Saying, " I'm kinda from all over the place" doesn't work, because it just prompts more questions...they just follow up by saying, "No, what I mean is where were you born originally?", and somehow trying to link your birth place with their expectations of your behavior. And then a flood of other questions, " ...but how come you don't speak..." etc. etc....
stargen5 1 year ago 2
Me, I read people fairly quickly. If in the first few moments they strike me as a person I'd like to converse with (open-minded, interested, they have time to listen, I like them) then I say, "I have dual citizenship, but I was born in ___, I grew up in ___ 'till I was 10, then we moved to ___ which was my home base for 18 years, and then I moved to the US in 2003. I speak three languages. Home is where I am right now".
If they don't pass those qualifications, I say, "I'm from Michigan". Haha!
ChiyokoMcNair 1 year ago
@ChiyokoMcNair You can do that ...saying "I'm from Michigan." if you fit the profile...but if you don't, then they query you further, or doubts what you say, or etc, etc...
stargen5 1 year ago
I usually say, "That depends, what's your definition of 'from'"? Of course, then I tend to go into the whole rattle of everywhere I've lived. I have to say, it does get tiring. I think I need to just print it up & carry it with me. It'd be easier.
dfelice3 1 year ago 2
I usually say, I'm Canadian (or born in Hong Kong depending on the audience), but I grew up travelling around a lot.
ch33zdewdle 1 year ago
I say I am from AUSTRALIA. It's the place that I've spent the most time in, and it's where most of my friends are...
dancingyrl 1 year ago
I say ,"I am from Kenya, but that is a LONG story."
Sarahnk1241 2 years ago
I have a few different answers. Usually I say "Everywhere" and then add that I've moved so much that I don't know anymore. Sometimes I try to be vague if I'm in a bad mood and don't want to explain AGAIN, and I'll say "My parents are in ___ at the moment". Those that are smart enough to catch that I didn't actually say where I'm from and ASK, I'll reward with a full (complicated) answer.
Izzybelle92 2 years ago
i'd b like 'my parents are from srilanka'..and they go..wat about u..den i go 'i was born here in canada'
diwalica 2 years ago
We're terrans brother. We're from Earth.
culturalmut 2 years ago
i tell people who ask that i am from nowhere and everywhere when they ask more about that i tell them they don't have the time to here the full story
babydoll1891 2 years ago
@babydoll1891 unluckily they look at me like a freak when I do that!
yamcachol 1 month ago
I say I'm not from anywhere in particular. I moved around a lot when I was growing up.
oswegobees 2 years ago
"ITS A LONG STORY"
geekaleek 2 years ago
I say I'm from a "bit of everywhere".
englanddg 2 years ago
I just say I'm from New Zealand. It's too difficult to explain!
diosa232 2 years ago
"its a long story..."
applepie4ever 2 years ago
i give a similar answer as you usually, or if im in a particular mood I might say I'm from planet earth and then try to start a philosophical discussion about how you can't see any lines dividing countries on earth from space.
soulofbass 2 years ago
@soulofbass does it piss-off people? lol
yamcachol 1 month ago
Comment removed
mkgurl90 3 years ago
My answer to the people is born in Detroit Michigan but my parents are from Bangladesh.i am a tck and there are people sometimes that will ask me where I'm from and when i tell them where i 'm from, they also have many other question to ask like how did u come to America of how did ur parents get here
fahima619 3 years ago
It usualy depends on the context! I often find myself advocating for the underdog or the underrepresented place - if someone says something uneducated about Nigeria, I can speak up as a Nigerian, same for Latin America, other parts of Africa, the US.
claritarejoice 3 years ago
But a friend of mine recently asked me: "what are you?" This question is not as simple as the first one. I recently came to the conclusion that -I think as an Asian, act as an American, and feel as a Mexican- I told my friend just that; this is who I am, and my friend told me "well, that's complicated." I can't say that one of the three cultures I grew up in is more prominent than the other because those three meshed together harmoniously make up who I am.
mikieight 3 years ago 3
Yeah, it's the typical question in a conversation; people ask that by default, usually. I try to keep it simple, I am a missionary kid who's Asian parents currently live in Mexico, studying in the U.S.; so I simply say "I am from Mexico" b/c that's where my parents live.
mikieight 3 years ago
Whenever I tell people where I come from, always followed with more questions.
Don't know why many Americans are poor in geography-
"Where is that place?" " OK, when I look at the map- how to find it?"
Most Americans do not know that Asians speak two or more languages-
"You speak good english, you learn it in US?" I guessed they compared me with some Asians they met in Asian stores or in the Chinese restaurants here in US.
cmycat 3 years ago
I agree with a lot of what I saw here. I have to read the person asking me before I answer this question. Many times if the person is an acquaintance and is just being polite I keep is simple and either say where I am currently living or simply say, "I grew up overseas". I let them lead me in how much they really want to know. If they ask further questions, of course I answer, other wise I don't go into it. I think some people find it too intimidating or maybe even perceive it as bragging.
baddriverdave 3 years ago
I just tell them "Earth" or "I'm an Air Force Brat"
bobthekillertomato 3 years ago
I say "I was born in Washington DC, raised in Ohio, lived in 6 US states for more than a year, lived outside the US since 1984 in Japan (Asia), Chad (Africa), Ireland and France (Europe). I have the American and French passports."
I can add my 3 kids are born in France, have both the US and French passports - even though my youngest has never been to the US.
I have vacationed in 46 US states, worked in 74 countries and have had a US, Japanese, Chadian, Irish and French driving permit.
richmcl 3 years ago
While it tends to make the conversation somewhat volitile at times...I finally chose to borrow a line from Highlander :-p
"Lots of different places"
P.S: The more languages you've known, the worse your spelling/gramar in all of them gets :-D
pyromethious 3 years ago 2
I have my own stuttering response to that question, but I prefer this story. I recently reconnected with a friend from my time in the Philippines. All my life I'd thought she was "from" Bangladesh. When another friend posed the same question to her at a party a few weeks ago, I stood back smiling, waiting to see how she'd respond. Imagine my surprise when she said New Jersey!
drawmorenow 3 years ago 2
Oh yay! I just noticed we have a TCK tube here lol...i've already talked about this too many time on TCKid so im not writing it up again lol.
MisMysMisty 3 years ago
I usually say, "I live in Japan." If people ask me if I'm Japanese, I answer that the US issued my passport. If they seem to want to know more, then I'll explain more.
kanzanagain 3 years ago
Over the years (50+),I've learned to read my questioner. If it's just polite conversation, stopping at the city of my current residence is usually sufficient. I used to answer, "That's the leading question of my life!" and go into a brief summary, but learned that watching eyes glaze over wasn't a pretty sight. But if there's real interest, or if I'm wanting the conversational advantage (heh!), I answer with details like "born and raised in Japan in a missionary family", "bilingual", etc.
igaijin 3 years ago
I usually say, "What's your definition of 'from'?"
dfelice3 3 years ago
"Where are you from" is a question that poses me to ask back "Do you have 15 hours?" If they are willing, I give them my long version (of my parents and countries I've grown up in) and if not, I give them a short version.
I learned that Ruth Hill Useem coined the term third culture kid. I am thankful to have discovered the book Third Culture Kid: The Experience of Growing up Among Worlds.
babymiyon 3 years ago
well right now i live in hawaii, but i just came from germany and im american although i was born in the philippines lol
hailedtaxicab 3 years ago 2
Whats really funny is that when you meet new people, they usually ask you "Hey, so where are you from?", as a conversation question or out of courtesy/politeness and...
I end up having to tell them a lonnng story, to answer a simple conversation opener question.
littlevivi 3 years ago 7
I'm relatively new in the ATCK self-identification. 2 years ago when s.o. told me about this concept I thought that sounds like me. For the first time I felt there was a term to describe me. The more I learn about it the more I am glad s.o. came up w/ this term. This video is awesomely describing how I've been feeling since I was about 3 years old. I was born in England to Turkish and Algerian parents and I grew up mostly in Istanbul and lived in the US for the last 3-6 years.
asmermer 3 years ago 4