Let's say that you just became a Canadian citizen recently. If you travel overseas and people there ask you where you're from, will you say Canada or the name of your old country. I am going to be applying soon but I am already having a bit of an identity crisis lol.
Dear new citizens: when someone overseas ask you where you're from, do you say Canada or your old country?
- Thread starter dreamingmigrant
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Yeah but it feels like it's kinda weird to say that I am from Canada when I wasn't born and raised here. Not to mention, many Canadians are bigoted themselves and do not consider non-Europeans to be "real" Canadians.
It's not weird. Say what you like.
As for the bigoted Canadians - screw 'em. Don't give them any power over you.
Truth is, many will respond to he question based on context and their own opinion - that is, a bit differently sometimes. Nothing wrong with having a more nuanced answer, or revealing only as much as you like.
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My particular case - citizen all my life. My family - spouse and kids - not yet citizens but will be soon, mostly when travelling they just say from Toronto, or Canada. I expect they'll all say Canada, unless they have a reason to discuss where they were born (e.g. meeting others from 'back home.')
Which brings up a small side note/discussion I had with someone recently: 'back home' is possibly a good distinction in English between the place that is current home and where you came from, without being negative about that place, and vague about extent of links (although implied not many eg maybe parents and relatives are there). YMMV. My family was 'originally' from [such and such] is a similar feel.
But again: not at all required to get into this with people you don't know. Share as much or as little as you like.
From my own perspective, and I know not everyone shares it - I lived abroad a long time; everywhere I lived and most places I travelled, people asked (in various ways) where my family was originally from or 'background' or however it might be called (they fled from lots of different places, and if it matters, 'white').
Canada's famous as a place of immigrants. I don't think that question necessarily means some are not 'real' Canadians. I recognize of course that some do have bigoted views on the matter, of course. But sometimes people are just interested. We're social beings, people ask questions.
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If you feel weird, then don't say you are from Canada.
I don't feel weird. I naturally would answer that I am from Canada.
BTW I used to work in US decades ago and I always said I am from Canada.
I also haven't met anyone who do not consider non-Europeans to be "real" Canadians.
Canada is known as an immigrants country.
Well, the US is a melting pot so they won't dig in even if you said you're from Canada. I was thinking about more exotic places. Like Latin America or Eastern Europe. I dream about traveling to such places once I get my Canadian passport (god willing!)
Imagine from now on you will be feeding on this land and this land will provide you and your kids opportunities for future. I am thankful for the both the land providing me opportunities. When I get sick I go the hospitals here; When you read Discover Canada, you could see how this land was built upon by older generation. We are thankful to them . I have stopped thinking and attachment with religion and biases and people opinions. I believe we should be loyal to the land which is providing us shelter, food and living. HUH ! lecture but just sharing my opinion
To me, the entire process was so hard, like going thorugh all stages, having to deal with anxiety and so on, that today I make sure to say I am Canadian even to Canadians who ask my background, and there is nothing wrong with that! Like mentioned before you can share as much or as little as you like, you are not obligated to disclose anything but I stick to I am Canadian!! and that is not wrong after all.. bear in mind, even if you aren't born here you will be legally and officially Canadian for the rest of your life, unless you decide to renounce your citizenship.. applying for citizenship was the best decision ever for me
Ideally these boundaries are created by human beings. Religion, Attachment to culture, place thing and years of grown up our brains are conditioned to look for attachment and feel validated, and protected.
This is just attachment.
Having said Canada is beautiful country to live in and I am sure your home country as well.
I’ve been asked the good old “Where are you from?” question several times, because it’s obvious I was not born in Canada due to my accent. And this is something that will never change. I think the best answer is to say that you’re a dual citizen (if applicable) or that you’re Canadian but were born in xy country (or continent if you prefer not to disclose the specific country).
Not only in US. I said the same when I travelled to Europe (Italy and UK) and South/Central America.
I did that when I was in Japan and reconnected with a few Canadian tourists and even got invited to their dinner.
(Had to decline since that was my last day of staying with my relatives in Japan and needed to have the goodbye dinner with them)