Is there ever a polite way to ask someone their religion or heritage? How would you respond if you were asked out of the blue?

[HannaD]

[bethshepherd]

I met a woman - years ago - who was thinking we might become friends. She was very opinionated and bossy and clearly had aspergers syndrome, so not my type anyway. She asked me my political beliefs and my religion in a very snappy demanding way saying that if we did not gel with politics and religion we could not be friends. It would not have happened anyway, her manner was too demanding and forceful and it was all about her. My political and religious beliefs are private to me, and I have friends who do not share them and feel totally different about those things, it does not matter, I like them for them, not their beliefs. One of my friends is a vicar's wife, she is extremely christian, she knows that I am very much into spirituality and a psychic, yet it does not matter because we like each other anyway. www.accuratepsychicreadingsonline.com/real-psychic-readings

[desidoll]

I get asked quite often about my heritage and I don't mind it. In fact, I prefer people ask me rather than making a wrong guess about it. A lot of people think they are smart enough when they are not.

[HannaD]

Can I ask then?

[desidoll]

Yes you can. I don't think they will take it personally. It is not a rude question especially if you know them.

[HannaD]

No, I was asking you.

[desidoll]

Ah sorry didn't get you. I am Indian, born in Malaysia so I am Malaysian by nationality.

[HannaD]

Very cool.

[desidoll]

Thanks. What about you?

[HannaD]

I'm Jewish and Welsh.

[desidoll]

Interesting. What language do you speak?

[HannaD]

English. A little Hebrew. A little Welsh. Not much.

[desidoll]

I was about to ask you about Hebrew haha.

[shineserena]

I ask people all the time. It’s not a bad question, just something I want to know when I meet someone

[wankiam]

being asked in a conversation with someone you know and when heading for the subject of culture its fine but i think a random just coming straight out with it either has no conversation skills or is somehow looking to catoragise you according to your response. the most polite way would be to wait until they told you

[HannaD]

That is my feeling too but we seem to be in a minority here.

[wankiam]

i was brought up to respect everyone regardless of culture, race, social status or religion so maybe thats why i dont ask... because it makes no difference to me. i saw a piece on the only trusted news program on English tv just a couple of days ago talking about this with two people of jamacan origin saying they dont mind people knowing but hate being asked in a way that they know will lead to judgement

[HannaD]

Yeah. It's not that I mind sharing the information. It's just, "Why are they so interested?" It's like they're looking for a way to categorize and sometimes worse.

[wankiam]

exactly... its the sort of thing you prefer to share on your own terms. im veggie with very left wing political beliefs but people never randomly com up to me and say so what do you eat and who do you vote for so why would they feel the need to ask you such a question just because you are not pasty white like me?

[ladsin]

Most likely I’d say I’m an atheist unless I thought it’d get back to my mom. To randomly ask may be considered rude, but if it comes up organically in a conversation it would seem fine to me.

[TheFunkyThumb]

Considering offense is taken and not given I'd ask however you like. I've always considered myself an open book, so i have never had an issue sharing information with someone if they are interested

[Geronimogmd]

It's a normal question, just ask: "what's your religion if you don't mind me asking?". It's not something bad to ask, if they don't want to tell you for some reason then they just won't.

[Brand-O]

Heritage: What part of the world are your ancestors from?
Religion: Which mythological being would you pray to if you were attacked by a bear?

[boggboss]

Many people ask it it's a normal question just shows they are intrested that's all

[HannaD]

It seems sort of personal and intrusive and it can single people out for minority status.

[boggboss]

Lol this like that makes me laugh so much you can't be singled out as a minority u are one or u are not and it being invasive is the same as asking someone there name I'm a mixed blood dad's Jamaican mum's half Turkish half native American and that's just there lines my grand parents are mix race too so I'm crazy mixed but I got no problem telling people that I take pride in it although filling out forms can be annoying

[HannaD]

People probably would guess mine from my full name anyway if they knew it.

[boggboss]

Fair enough but things like this are not issues people just make problems out of nothing

[HaveNoName]

I don't think there is anything impolite about that question in general and unless you are asking it as a loaded question or a rhetorical question, it should be pretty straightforward to ask.

[jshm2]

Of course. But you should mind your own business.

[JC103]

This is one of those questions you just have to be polite about. If you sounds off and rude than you’re wrong

[name_is_eric]

"What do you believe in?"
"What's your ethnicity?"
Simple. I'd love for people to ask about my heritage!

[HannaD]

What's your heritage?

[Iron_Man]

I've been asked that a tons of times. I'm proud of being a white Swede living in a all latin town pretty much

[LegateLanius]

I'd just tell them. I have no qualms with suvh question and i dont understand why it would be offensive unless they are rude about it.

[KhoryESM]

I don't know I mean if you want to ask id be like “may I ask what your religion is? “

[Futurelooker]

I would respond directly.

[PillowThief]

In what way is asking impolite?

[Gabriel-Chicanito]

'M Mexican-Chicano/Catholic.

[the_sinner]

I'd respond politely for sure

[Wizard-of-bras]

You just ask

[Yesnomaybe85]

No...

[Desuyonee]

it is very easy