Europe is a continent of ~3.9 million miles made up of 50 different countries with more on its borders and has a population of roughly ~740 million people.
The United States is a country of ~3.8 million miles made up of 1 country bordering 2, with a population of ~325 million people.

Are you surprised that it's more common in America to ask where you're from than it is in Europe? I'd say stupidity has no nationality or religion.

What do I think? Here is what I think, since you've asked...... If you dislike Americans that much and the average is below your standard, WTF are you doing here????? Go back where you came from (don't want to know), learn how to be more graceful and then and only then come back.....or not

Calling an American an idiot for simply asking you a question is equally idiotic. It’s a huge place and it is not often I meet someone from somewhere else. Perhaps I just want to know about you and your travels. Maybe I’m curious to know why you are here: job, vacation, family, or millions of other possibilities.
I’m not sure why you find the question so rude and idiotic. My guess it’s partially cultural and partly you just don’t like Americans. Americans will often ask each other where they are from with our accents. How does the question relate to our insecurity with position? Most of your post is illogical with conclusions based without causation. I find it ironic that you are concluding Europeans are 1000x more intelligent.
Your post makes about as much sense as people having faith in religion.

It is not clear why people showing an interest in you is so offensive but if you are so impressed with the intelligence of Europeans, move there. BTW, there are as many religious people, if not more, in Europe than there are in the US but don't let that stop you.

There is a huge difference between a friendly ice breaker type enquiry and this type of thing, it's contextual I guess:

I agree with the several other replies that you shouldnt automatically take offense to the question. Yes it's a bit clumsy that your foreignness is the first thing people want to address but superficial elements like that and the weather is all people can think of to start a convo sometimes, and ignorance does not equal hate. I know it must be tiresome to answer over and over but unless they say it with a palpable degree of contempt, disdain, bewilderment or incredulity they're probably just genuinely curious about you as a person. Try to be patient with people like that; its likely they've been in their white people bubble long enough that their experience with you will heavily influence their overall attitudes on people of color in general.

I think the generally more bucolic attitudes of Americans (and the extreme ignorance of many) is due to several factors. Being more religious in the midwest and bible belt is surely one of them, plus the history of jim crow segregation in the south and economic de facto segregation in major metro areas of the north, plus the fact that we're a giant melting pot that people of every culture seem to assimilate into, rather than having many ancient cultures within cheap travelling distance means everyone comes to us, not the other way around. Wondering and asking about where you're from is the closest many of us will get to being able to afford to travel out of the country, if only in our mind's eye. If they're not being rude about it try to humor them if you can, you may wind up having a nice conversation or aiding in the destruction of their unpalatable ignorance.

If I ever ask someone that question it comes from legit curiosity about the world and all the cultures and people who inhabit it. I love learning about people and shit like that. I guess it just depends on the inflection and undertones they use.

Personally, I see that question as being racist and ignorant. I don't see it as "innocent" and someone "just trying to start a conversation". Maybe it's because
I see too many white people, who are trying to disguise their innate racism, using
that as an excuse.
I know a lot of white people who are scared shitless about becoming a minority in this country. They are deliberately ignorant of the FACT that white people stole this country from the people of color who were here first.

Sir , they are asking u where are u from , not telling u " get the hell out of here ".
I have heard both in my life , and there is a huge difference ?‍?

think its just a conversation starter in edinburgh the tourists are everywhere so its an easy way to get a friendly chat going.I would deff agree americans can be less well informed and very inward gazing but the ones that seem to leave to go travelling always seem very open and intelligent and most seem to be at the least religious but lapsed kinda people never really met any zealots.

Wow. Just ... wow.

For me the only reason I would ask that question would be out of curiosity.
I also remember Newton Crosby asking Ben where he was from he said Bakersfield, in an Indian accent, Newton then asked no before that, Bens response was Pittsburgh.

Curiosity. What's wrong with that? Being Portuguese I'm proud of where I come from. I live in Dublin, Ireland. Plenty of people from different countries. Different attitudes. All good.

I’m sure some people are asking to be rude but for me, I would be asking simply because I’m curious. Curious to know where you grew up, what it was like, etc. I’ve done very little travel and enjoy learning about other places. Not sure if it’s fair to assume everyone has ill intentions

I have traveled a lot in Europe and elsewhere, I got asked this all the time. It’s, as people are pointing out, a conversation starter. My ex was from Brasil and he loved this question, as do I when I travel.

I lived in Mexico for a year, and many people asked me where I was from. It never offended me in the least, and I was flattered that they took interest.

My partner, who is Korean but grew up in California, is asked that question all the time as well, and she, too, really dislikes it. To her, it's actually almost always because the person asking is being subconsciously (or flat out consciously) racist, an opinion that probably a lot of white people would be offended by, but I think she's right, personally. These conversations usually go like:

Them: where are you from?
Her: California.
Them: no, where are you really from?
Her: ... California?
Them: where are your parents from, though?

Literally every single time, with only the last question varying. It's like we Americans can think of nothing more than skin-deep to ask a person to get to know them. And I'm sorry you're going through this so often - I understand you completely.

I am a bit of a foreigner myself, with a little accent. I have studied many languages and love trying to figure out where people's accents originate. I have no problem with being asked hat question. It's a conversation starter and a way to get to know people. People like comparing and contrasting their country with another. Culture is different in different countries and it gives you an idea about where the person is coming from. Where are you from that makes you so reticent?

"where are you from" is in my opinion, a fairly common question here in Florida.
Most people that live here came from somewhere else.
It's not a stupid, nor insulting question.
What I don't get, was your statement, " What is it with idiots in this country? Are they so insecure about losing their position?".
Exactly what position do you mean?

And I would say that it is more irritating when I get asked that here in London. After I reply 'I'm a Londoner, born and raised' or 'I'm British' the next question is usually 'Yeah, but where are your family from?'. But, again, whether I get irritated or not kinda depends on what I detect the intent is behind the questions.

I'm British. I think that the question 'Where are you from?' is a perfectly okay and to be expected question when a foreigner (with an accent) in another country. But, on the other hand, I totally understand that if you are being asked this question LOADS of times then, yes, it must be bloody irritating. And it depends on how you are being asked the question...it depends on the tone of the question. I'm not sure that religion is a factor in you being asked that question, at least not obviously so.

Honestly Religion is very strong in Europe as well. It just so happens those two Scottish fellas were very nice and not basic morons. However every 1st world country is more or like the same we just always see the grass is greener on the other side. No matter where you go there will always be racists and bigots and religious fanatics.

I think it is a somewhat ungracious attitude toward a country that you are a guest in. My experience of American people are that they are generally charming and very friendly, especially in Boston where I lived for a short while. Being from UK as am I, I am sure you have encountered the same types of people but will greet you with a grimace instead of a smile. As for religion, I suspect you totally misunderstand the religious topography of Notth America. I am also not sure what position you are suggesting they are losing. That would be a good conversation to have to engage more deeply with the American psyche.

I get asked that often. "What are you?"
I just look confused and answer back with some witty remark.
I've been Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban.... When people have guessed.
Even a doctor tried to correct my race information in my medical chart.
Nope, just your typical American mixture, born in the midwest.
I really don't know why people need to define others. Seems like a waste of energy.