"Where are you from?"

[Brewman_Jax]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is that a standard question upon meeting someone new? I get asked that rather often. Not "What do you do?" or "Where do you live?" Those may be later, but the first question always seems to be "Where are you from?" Is it because I'm an educated and articulate (referencing Chris Rock's rant) black man and don't have the stereotypical accent? It's almost as if I can't be from Atlanta, or even the USA. I'm confused.

[Catherine Vincent]

1. I get asked that a lot but not because of the way I talk

It's because of the way I look. They always say I look like I'm from Louisiana. Which I am. :-)

[ismnotwasm]

2. I only ask that if I hear a Southern accent

Which, thank god I am able to hear outside of the "black vernacular". I LOVE southern accents. I have a black friend who doesn't speak that way, and he gets that question a lot also. He actually is from the south,(Florida) but his way of speaking seems to puzzle many folks. Interesting, no?
Edit: In the hospital where I work, I use "where are you from" as an ice breaker sometimes with a new patient. So sometimes it's just a way of trying to get to know someone.