Europeans what do you think of this SNL skit in comparison to American tourists you have met talking about their heritage when visiting your country?

[Buzz Rules]

Europeans what do you think of this SNL skit in comparison to American tourists you have met talking about their heritage when visiting your country?

 

[A Squared]

Loved this, so funny. Can't speak for all Europeans but does make me and everyone I've met where this has come up, laugh and mild eye roll. If you're great, great etc grandparents went to America we'll over a century ago then you're American with ( insert country ) roots. You're not insert country American.
My grandfather was from Tipperary so technically a quarter Irish but I call myself English when race comes up.
No offence meant.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Loved this, so funny. Can't speak for all Europeans but does make me and everyone I've met where this has come up, laugh and mild eye roll. If you're great, great etc grandparents went to America we'll over a century ago then you're American with ( insert country ) roots. You're not insert country American.
My grandfather was from Tipperary so technically a quarter Irish but I call myself English when race comes up.
No offence meant.

I completely agree and without getting political, it's a current issue in the USA.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Not European but the video cannot be shown in Canada. I get error message "The uploader has not made this video available in your country" so your intended audience may not be able to watch the video.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Not European but the video cannot be shown in Canada. I get error message "The uploader has not made this video available in your country" so your intended audience may not be able to watch the video.

I'll see if there is another video available.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I completely agree and without getting political, it's a current issue in the USA.

Current issue? Don't think so.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Not European but the video cannot be shown in Canada. I get error message "The uploader has not made this video available in your country" so your intended audience may not be able to watch the video.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Current issue? Don't think so.

Who is an American or identity politics isn't a current issue? Obviously, this can't be discussed here but I think it is unfortunately a political/cultural issue at the moment.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Who is an American or identity politics isn't a current issue? Obviously, this can't be discussed here but I think it is unfortunately a political/cultural issue at the moment.

Your topic is asking Europeans how they feel when Americans mention their (blank but presumably European otherwise why ask specifically Europeans) heritage, no that isn't a current issue much less something to fret over.

If you want to make something big the controversial board seems the place

 

[Buzz Rules]

Your topic is asking Europeans how they feel when Americans mention their (blank but presumably European otherwise why ask specifically Europeans) heritage, no that isn't a current issue much less something to fret over.

If you want to make something big the controversial board seems the place

I didn't want a controversial topic. I meant it as a light hearted one.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I didn't want a controversial topic. I meant it as a light hearted one.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Didn't watch the video (cannot stomach SNL, sorry) but I remember this topic coming up when I was studying in Dublin. My professors and Irish friends all told me that people like this were collectively made fun of. In their eyes, how can you be Irish when you have never been to the country before and know nothing about the culture? To clarify that's not my view but found it funny that everyone I spoke to about this had the same opinion.

I have Polish heritage on my dad's side; my last time is very distinctly Polish to a point where I've had people ask me if I am from Poland and have had people try to talk to me in Polish. I have never been to Poland before, don't speak the language and know little about the culture. I'm American, not Polish lol

 

[DanceDisney23]

I’m a German now living in the US. I was always befuddled when Americans asked me where I’m from and then exclaimed “I’m German, too!” No, you are not. You are very clearly American, lol.

This rarely happens now, but did quite a bit in the early years. That’s also how I learned about the “German” Christmas pickle, which is unheard of in Germany.

I actually once met a German American (German mother, probably also German passport, and spoke German) who was clearly unfamiliar with German norms. We were introduced, he asked me how I was (in German), and started talking to someone else before I could answer. This is rude behavior by German standards, but polite by American standards.
The cultural competence gets lost very quickly, even when your immigrant parent teaches you the language and, presumably, the traditions.

 

[_19disnA]

I think SNL always does funny skits on any number of topics, some are political, but many are not. Typically humor involves some sort of exaggeration of traits/mannerisms or stereotypes. I seriously doubt most people talk a lot about their heritage regardless of where they are from.

 

[hsmamato2]

Snl isn;t always funny lately but this video is

 

[cabanafrau]

Didn't watch the video (cannot stomach SNL, sorry) but I remember this topic coming up when I was studying in Dublin. My professors and Irish friends all told me that people like this were collectively made fun of. In their eyes, how can you be Irish when you have never been to the country before and know nothing about the culture? To clarify that's not my view but found it funny that everyone I spoke to about this had the same opinion.

I have Polish heritage on my dad's side; my last time is very distinctly Polish to a point where I've had people ask me if I am from Poland and have had people try to talk to me in Polish. I have never been to Poland before, don't speak the language and know little about the culture. I'm American, not Polish lol

Many people can and do feel distinct ties to their family's heritage despite never visiting themselves because their families have kept certain traditions alive and have kept communication with relatives still living in their country of origin. I have a lot of friends in that situation who would be extremely upset to be told they shouldn't claim that heritage at all and simply style themselves simply as American because they're born and live here. They're happy and proud to be American, but still feel emotionally connected to the country their parents came from as well.

 

[Moliphino]

I have Polish heritage on my dad's side; my last time is very distinctly Polish to a point where I've had people ask me if I am from Poland and have had people try to talk to me in Polish. I have never been to Poland before, don't speak the language and know little about the culture. I'm American, not Polish lol

I get that, too. One of my coworkers is from Poland, he saw my last name and started speaking to me in Polish and got a deer-in-the-headlights look in response. I know like 5 words and some foods in Polish, but that's it. My dad actually learned Polish in grammar school as a kid, but he doesn't remember any of it.