When someone asks what's your background?

[naturally]

What do they want to know? Is it where your parents were born / come from or your ethnicity (where your oldest ancestor comes from) E.g. Over several generations my family had "begun" in Italy, migrated to south America and now to Australia. My parents were born in South America but we descend from our ancestors in Italy. So what do I say when someone asks me: what is my background?

Updates

+1 y

Thanks everybody.


Most people are in agreement that they're asking for my ethnicity, My ancestor originating from Italy means my ethnicity is Latin European so I say that?

[BurningHammer]

Mine is Greek end of discussion. The fact that I was born in Australia ultimately means very little to me and in no way, shape or form has bearing upon my genetic make much less my loyalties. That is to say, I have accomplished everything I have through my own devices and not due to the benevolence of the Australian country or its people- I am still treated very much as a "won" and would sooner do my all for my ancestral home (part of which has been taken forcibly by the Ottoman but I digress). That said, my ancestry has been Greek since time immemorial and I intend to preserve that with my own progeny.

[BurningHammer]

*"wog"; stupid correction

[THE_Godfather]

I see that you're from Australia. Tell them your Australian.

I tell people I'm an American. My parents were born here. When I go through customs I declare myself as an American.

I don't feel it's any ones business about my heritage. I may tell someone close to me.

Why do you feel that you have to tell them your familys history?

[naturally]

yea totally agree, I generally do that (just say Australian) but my bf's parents might ask me, and I do feel comfortable telling them but I'm just not sure what to tell them.

[THE_Godfather]

that is a different situation.

Tell them what you wrote here.

E.g. Over several generations my family had ...

That makes for interesting conversation.

[naturally]

True, thanks a lot mate.

[THE_Godfather]

Glad I could help.

I hope all goes well.

Thanks for B/A

[naturally]

Thanks :)

[goflipaburger]

Initially, I thought you were talking about studies :O hahaha

I guess you tell them just that. I get asked this all the time and my family "background" is really long since we're constantly migrating and being exiled :P

[thephilosopher]

they wanna know your ethnicity so what your parents are

if they wanna know more or say you don't seem like it you can tell

them your grandparents and so on ethnicity

[sephora]

When people ask me what my background is, they are wanting to know my ethnicity, and then act surprised when I tell them. lol

[menina]

I think it's your ethnicity. It's what I tell when someone asks me that.

[beer3]

Italien/white Europe descent

[Alpha_1]

your descent, you would say "Italian"