Bryan Tampubolon

‘Where are you from?’ Is this a question of geography or identity? Shit, I don't know. I'm from here I guess, but why would someone ask me this unless it was obvious that I'm not from here? Am I not from here? No, surely they don't think that. I reckon I act like I'm from here. Do I look like I'm not from here?

I guess I was born overseas and my parents lived their entire lives overseas until we moved to Australia, but that's where my parents are from. Not me. What's the context behind this question again? I mean, I am a racial minority, so maybe they want to know what my ethnic makeup is? Half-Chinese. Half-Indonesian.

I don't really feel connected to the geographic China and I also don't really know much of Chinese culture to have it influence my identity. Indonesia:  I haven't lived there much and I only visit for Ramadan. I'm not Muslim though, only some of my family are; I feel like such an outsider. How am I supposed to explain this simply but with nuance? I just want to drink and socialise without having my identity being questioned like this. I'm from here but also not from here? This is so stressful.

‘Where are you from?’ My house.