I was surprised to read that In Germany, just 25 per cent of people said they felt ‘only German’ and not European, and 36 per cent of people in France feel ‘only French’.
Foot note:
Yes that Union Flag in the photograph is upside down.
That is not ignorant at all. I would be more than happy to furnish anyone with the details (especially because my family background is quite interesting).
However, if you asked me where I am from, and I told you that I was from London, and you persisted in asking me, "No - where are you from originally?" I would be tempted to say, "From my mum's womb, and before that, my dad's balls".
Yes, it's not so much the words, used to frame the question but the tone of voice and the intent with which it is asked. People only get interested in your family background after getting to like you, which takes a while. If it's within a few minutes of meeting you, it is clearly confrontational. Or they're really struggling to keep the conversation going.
Anyway your self-control and ability to not smack them in the chops is admirable.
By the way, the South London/American accent confusion was an intriguing observation. I used to think that "yoofs", who were more noticeable and vocal than average fellow travellers, all spoke and acted like they were in The Bronx. Clearly these people who said that are focussing just on the style of speech. If they cannot tell Sarflarndun from Strine from American then they're either tone deaf or just not listening closely enough.
Broad white uppermost top left. I just zoomed in on AOG's avatar and now understand Baldric's comment on page 5. But I can't work out whose post he is quoting from and draft this at the same time.
Maybe the important word is "feel" as logically I am both. I'm also an Earthling. General rule seems to be the smaller the area being considered the more I relate to it. But for normal day-to-day references I'd refer to my national identity; usually British, occasionally English, rarely if ever European unless there is a specific reason to do so.