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Politics and Activism

6 Things That Croatian-Americans Are Tired Of Hearing

We might be a small group, but we exist.

Lora Korpar

Nov 06, 2018

University of Central Florida

168

6 Things That Croatian-Americans Are Tired Of Hearing

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As I've written in many of my previous articles, I was born and raised in the U.S., but my parents are from Croatia. I speak Croatian and am have dual citizenship of the U.S. and Croatia. My Croatian culture is a big part of my identity.

But while some European cultures are very well-known (like Italian and German), many Americans know nothing about Croatia, which can prompt some pretty ridiculous questions. Here are some of the questions that other Croatian-Americans and I are tired of hearing along with their answers.

1. Are you Russian?

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No. People seem to think that the Slavic language equals Russian, but there are at least ten different Slavic languages in Central and Eastern Europe. And though some of these languages might share a few words here and there, I can't fully understand any Slavic languages outside of Croatian/Bosnian/Serbian.

Russia's a big place, but there are tons of Slavic languages outside of Russian.

2. Where is Croatia? Is it in Europe?

World Atlas

Yes, it's in Europe. People always assume Croatia is either somewhere in Eastern Europe by Russia (because all Slavic people are obviously just slightly different Russians) or in Asia.

Croatia is located toward the center of Europe, across the Adriatic Sea from Italy.

3. What are you eating?

Croatia Week

Croatian food is a weird mix of Northern European and Southern European food, with a hint of Middle Eastern influence. Whenever I eat Croatian food like sirnicas or ćevapčići in public, people can never make sense of it.

In fact, when I was in elementary school, some girls made fun of me for "eating poop" because of the way ćevapi (which are these small, sausage-shaped minced meats) are shaped. But the joke was on them because my "poop" was delicious and they were stuck with their boring, flavorless lunches.

4. Croatia was the one that won the World Cup, right?

Goal.com

*Sigh* ... No. This past summer was the first time that Croatia ever got to the World Cup final, and though I'm still proud that they got that far, we did not win. The Croatian team put up a good fight and had a true underdog spirit, but they were ultimately beat (pretty badly) by France in the World Cup Final.

5. Oh, you're Croatian! So that means you're from Yugoslavia?

Seterra Online

No! Yugoslavia hasn't existed for over 20 years! There are many people who would be incredibly insulted if asked that question, considering all that happened during the war in 1991. Many people older than 30 or so still remember it. Mistakes happen, but try not to ask anyone from former Yugoslavia this question.

6. When did you come to America?

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"Croatian" does not necessarily mean "born/raised in Croatia." If a young person speaks Spanish, German, Polish, etc. you don't automatically assume they're from somewhere else. But when it's a language not heard as commonly, they must be a foreign tourist.

Though, it is very entertaining when I'm speaking Croatian and someone asks me "Where are you from?" to respond "Chicago" in my very American accent.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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6 Things That Croatian-Americans Are Tired Of Hearing

We might be a small group, but we exist.

1. Are you Russian?

2. Where is Croatia? Is it in Europe?

3. What are you eating?

4. Croatia was the one that won the World Cup, right?

5. Oh, you're Croatian! So that means you're from Yugoslavia?

6. When did you come to America?

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

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2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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