Sir, – Further to Róisín Ingle’s article “I’ve stopped asking people where they’re from” (Life, December 7th), we are, by nature, curious beings and thank goodness for that.
I have lost count of the times I have been asked, after 50 years of speaking French, “And where does that accent come from?”
I reply, “European, but not English!” That sets the geographical neurons flying, and when they have been to Sweden and Germany, I announce that I am Irish.
Curiosity is not intrusion; it is interest. – Yours, etc,
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AUDREY KASSELIS,
Lourdes,
France.
Sir, – After reading Róisín Ingle’s article, I believe I may have suffered years of “tiresome” and " tactless” microagression!
I’ve lived in Ireland for most of my life, am Irish but have a Scottish accent. I am asked on a daily basis “Where are you from?”, often predicated by “Oh, I like your accent”.
I explain that I’m from Sutton. I’m then asked where are you “really from”; at this point I explain I spent my first 25 years in Glasgow.
Usually this is followed by a few seconds of awkward silence after the inquisitor states they’ve never been to Glasgow, but Edinburgh is lovely.
As yet, I’ve never found this offensive. – Yours, etc,
MALCOLM R KELL,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.
Sir, – Róisín Ingle’s experience with the London waitress was a learning curve and, unfortunately, a reminder of where we are at. I can almost count on one hand the number of strangers that I’ve had conversations without asking, “Where are you from?” Come to think of it I’m seldom asked the question now. It’s years since I was asked in Dublin on a Saturday, in what used to be a weekly occurrence, “Are you up for the match?” – Yours, etc,
MATTIE LENNON,
Blessington,
Co Wicklow.
