The Siberian American: Real Talk: Answering “Where Are You From?”

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Real Talk: Answering “Where Are You From?”

I hate answering the question “where are you from?” Do they want to know where I was born? Where I grew up? Where I am living now? As a self-proclaimed nomad who has moved 18 times in 25 years, it’s a hard question for me to answer.

With a name like Olya, just saying I am from Texas doesn’t usually cut it. Then again, I know that as soon as I tell someone I was born in Siberia, I need to have time to explain my entire life story to them.

I identify with both cultures. My parents raised me Russian. We had many Russian traditions, spoke Russian at home, celebrated Russian holidays, had many Russian parties with a large group of Russian friends, and even went to a Russian church. I am proud of my heritage and hope to pass on some Russian traditions to my future children.

I am also a proud US citizen. Most people who meet me for the first time tell me they wouldn’t have known I was Russian if I hadn’t told them my name. (Strangely, I get Swedish a lot). When I am away from my family, I definitely act more American than Russian. I have no accent, and I’ll even flash a big “American” smile at you in photos or if I pass you on the street (which happens to drive my mom crazy).

I named my blog The Siberian American because both of my identities are equally important to me. Now if only I could figure out how to condense this post into a one-sentence answer, I would be set.

What about you? Do you have a hard time answering “where are you from?”

16 comments:

  1. I do have a hard time with that question, although maybe not to the extent that you do. I was born in upstate NY, but moved around quite a bit during my childhood. Most of the time I say Houston is my hometown, but since I haven't lived there in 10+ years, it's hard to claim it!

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    1. I agree, it's so hard to claim a place you haven't live in a while because people start asking questions about it, and it's hard to answer!

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  2. I lived in Russia for four years and every Russian thought I was Irish (the red hair I guess). Now I'm back in the States with my Russian husband and everyone thinks he's Nordic. I think having an interesting back story is great, but I can see how it would be annoying to tell people a novel!

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    1. I definitely think it's fun to have an interesting back story, but I don't want to seem like I am talking about myself for 10 minutes straight! Haha. How neat that you lived in Russia for four years! :)

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  3. Girl I totally feel you on this post!! I always have a hard time answering this question and with a name like Biana i have the same questions as you. Usually it's I'm from Florida but I was born in the Ukraine...and moved to America when I was almost 2...but then that's sort of long winded lol! xo, Biana - BlovedBoston

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  4. Love this post Olya! I was curious, and it was super interesting to read. While we are on the topic kinda, how do you pronounce your name? I think I know, but I don't want to butcher it.
    I don't have a hard time per say, but I feel like it's a silly question only because my answer is normally 'Australia'. Now, just like America and every other country, all the places and states and whatnot are so different, it really doesn't help the person asking unless they are basically assuming I am their stereotypical idea of Australian - Like they think I rode kangaroos to school and say G'day and put shrimp on the barbie. Heck, I don't even say shrimp. Anyway. So for me, I'm like.. I never thought of myself as 'from' Australia because I was born there, I wouldn't say Australia if I was in Australia, now would I? I was born in Melbourne, lived in Sydney all my life. But, I actually was born outside of Melbourne and lived outside of Sydney, but I can't say Kew or Parramatta because people won't know wtf. haha. Anyway. Rambling! Love this post girl!

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  5. So glad you shared - I had been wondering but didn't want to ask. And tell me...what's wrong with smiling for photos?!

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  6. OOH god I hate this question. I get it all the time because I look latina (which I'm not) so when I answer "I'm originally from Canada," everyone proceeds to ask "But where are you FROM??" expecting a different answer. If you want to know my ethnicity, please go ahead and ask it. All though I've gotten that question now so many times I kind of like to play with people and see what their reactions are (evil laugh) Gotta have some fun sometimes.

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  7. Hi Olya! Love this post, I can definitely identify :) I'm 26 years old and I was born in Canada, grew up there for 10 years, spent 5 years in the USA in 3 different states, spent one year in Brazil and now have been in Switzerland for almost 12 years. And both my parents are Polish haha....So ya, whenever someone asks me where I'm from, I tend to say "the world" haha or "umm, next!".... But it's always an interesting story to tell and people love to hear about it so I say we should be proud that we DON'T have a one-line-answer to this question :) xx Michelle

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    1. Hi Michelle, thanks for stopping by! :) I didn't get into it, but I have also lived in two places in Europe and two states, so sometimes I tell them "the world" too. I agree, I love have an interesting story to tell...It's just hard when you know they are expecting one sentence!

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  8. It might be difficult to answer in one sentence but what a cool story you have! I'm sure people love hearing it.

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  9. I just tell people I'm from California. That usually ends the conversation. Except when they want to know what celebrities I've met.

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  10. Love this post and let me tell you that is some story. A travel blogger did a post on this just recently (Land of Marvels - she spoke about having a third culture meaning you are from more than one place) you should look it up :). Love your story!

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  11. I totally hear you on this! I grew up all over the US, and I actually identify more with the places I lived for the least amount of time...but I feel like I don't have the "right" to call them home. Be proud of your more-than-one-sentence answer -- it shows your richness and depth!

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  12. My husband lived all over the place and never knows how to answer that question, either. He's started just saying "Minnesota" because that's where I'm from and where he lived when we met!

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  13. Such a seemingly simple question to answer is definitely a lot more loaded when you've had the nomadic background that you do :) I often think people really mean to ask about ethnicity/race in this way because it seems more polite. My husband was born in Hong Kong, but raised in Houston so this question is often followed by more clarification questions from him like "Do you mean...?" Also, my mother is Korean and my father is Caucasian so in the off-chance that someone asks me that question, I usually say "Atlanta" which is often met with confused looks. So then I have to clarify their own question and ask, "You mean, what's my ethnicity?"

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