DEAR ABBY: I'm Asian, and my name is Jose. This confuses many of the people I meet, who frequently ask me where I'm from. Most people are probably just making conversation, but I find the question impolite.
I grew up in Kansas; I have no accent, and my English is better than most Americans. Is asking about someone's race acceptable in polite conversation?
I'm not ashamed of my heritage; if it's relevant to the conversation, I'll bring it up. I have finally come up with standard responses to the questions I'm asked.
When people ask me where I'm from, I smile and reply: "Kansas"; where my parents are from: "Canada"; how I got a name like Jose: "My parents gave it to me"; my nationality: "American."
My friends think my answers are too flippant. What do you think? -- JOSE FIDELINO, KANSAS
DEAR JOSE: I think your answers are honest and serve as a polite reminder that some questions are too personal to be asked by a stranger.