Submitted 3 weeks ago by GarcondeVersailles@sh.itjust.works to nostupidquestions@lemmy.world
If someone was born and raised in Poland, for example, then went to the United States and lived there, they would be considered Polish American.
My story, however, is a bit more complicated. I was born in Chile and stayed there with my family until I moved out as a child. Then, I lived in Brazil until I was 13 and moved to the United States. When I was 17, my family and I moved to France. Am I just Chilean-French or something? Chilean?
It depends on how you feel. For instance, I have a few friends that are born in Norway, but their parents are Vietnamese. Those friends would always described themselves as Vietnamese while in Norway; they are a part of that community, their ancestry is important to them etc. While traveling abroad however, they would say they are Norwegian. The context is different, and citizenship is more relevant. Some of them have lived several places, but their roots and citizenship were the most important pieces of nationalidentity to them.
Myself I’m an immigrant. I don’t tell people I don’t really know what county I came from; it’s private and not relevant. If people ask me (not abroad), they usually mean my accent is off, which is rude.
“Chilean-French with a few stops between”, so you don’t need to explain your life story unless someone is curious? If I understand French well enough, that is just a twist on what you said.
A real (man/woman/person/insert gender here) of the world.
I would say you are a human and borders are arbitrary. and patriotism, and dividing people up by their country is a silly ancient practice that needs to be removed from society, so we stop fighting over land and immigration.
But if it matters to you, then just consider yourself American. Your current nationality. You can always say you were born in Chile, but now you are American.
You’re Chilean. You were born in Chile.
Thanks!
I can actually perfectly answer your question on how you would describe yourself. And it’s literally impossible for anyone to argue with me.
You would describe yourself as « Je suis né au Chili mais je réside à France maintenant. »
Depends on the context. Chilean probably.
However I would stick with the one that is likely to get you into the least trouble in that situation.People really shouldn’t judge people based on where they come from, but they do. So if you know the safe answer go with that, or avoid answering.
In my friend circles even a question “where are you from?” is considered a bit rude.
Like who cares in 2025 - we will know each other better and eventually you will hear my life story, but asking that when we’ve just met - what for? What it would change?
It can be a very interesting conversation starter. I love hearing about the places people grew up, and how they ended up in the place they currently live. It’s a much better topic than the small talk about work or TV shows or whatever else people discuss the first time they meet.
Where is your citizenship?
If you are a French Citizen, you are Chilean-French
If you are an American Citizen, you are a Chilean-American immigrant/expatriate to France
If you are a Brazillian Citizen, you are a Chilean-Brazillian immigrant to France.
If you are a Chilean Citizen, you are a Chilean immigrant to France
But you could also drop the “Chilean-” part and say you’re a Brazillian/American/French if you feel like it. Usually, people identify with where they have citizenship in.
I was born in People’s Republic of China, and I only use “Chinese-American” when I’m speaking from a racial/cultural experience, but if I’m running for office or something, I’d just be “American”.
I am a citizen of France as I live there, but I’m also a citizen of the other 3 countries
Damn, that’s a lot of citizenships 😅
Just [Chilean-(Whatever country you feel most attached to)]
Chilean-Brazilian
Chilean-American
Chilean-French
Pick one, don’t worry too much about it
Honestly, in legal paperwork, consult the laws.
In everyday conversation, it’s what you feel.
I was born in South America, moved to the US when I was a child. I’m an adult now, my main language is English, I think in English, I grew up here, I have a life here.
If someone asked “what” I am, I say “I’m american, but I was born in South America.” It can be either a fun conversation, or a filter for judgy people I don’t want around me.
If I moved to Germany, I would still say I’m an American, because it’s the culture I know, the place I grew up, the identity I choose.
I don’t deny my heritage, I still enjoy Salteñas once a month with my family, I speak Spanish to my son to make sure he doesn’t forget it, I look Hispanic, I still have fond memories of being a child in another country, but I never say I’m “Bolivian-American,” because by circumstances of life I just have more identity of my life, here.
When people ask me where I’m from and the question is justified, I tell them and briefly describe the geographical position of my very small homeland. If anyone asks just to be nosy, I say I’m legal and stare them down. When the race is relevant like in GPs office, I’m white European/other. All depends on situation I’m asked.
I reckon “polish american” means something like “culturally polish, but living permanently in america”
Beyond that, does it really matter? Labels are just shortcuts to give other a broad overview. Tell people what ever you want. You can always add more details later if you get to know them better.
I found this to be an interesting question.
I don’t think of myself in terms like that. I’m American (as in United States of). If people ask where I’m from, I’d say Pennsylvania.
If asked what I am, in terms of what countries my ancestors came from, I would typically just list my four grandparents. Since that encompasses four different European countries, it’s too complicated to think of myself as a hyphenated American. Maybe you’re in that situation.
Ultimately, the label is yours, so you get to decide. No one else’s opinion matters. It’s your identity. Just say what feels right to you.
In France, Chilean-French isn’t a thing, unless you hold both passports. You’re “YourPassportian, but in France for 20 years”, or “YourPassportian, but moved countries a lot.” .
Mexican
yea, chilean french sounds good
MrJameGumb@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I’d say it’s really up to you at this point. In your own head do you think of yourself as a French person or Chilean or Brazilian? What does your internal monologue sound like to you? Which of these cultures do you mostly identify with? Which history do you feel is your own?
At the end of the day is a specific label something you actually want, or is it something you think you need to show to other people?