I don't like meeting people from my region in the city where i live. Do you share similar feelings?
By Valentina
@valherma00 (2467)
Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
January 23, 2026 6:28am CST
Or in general, outside my region so, practically everywhere. It may appear strange but i don't like when they are approaching me with no purpose, except for wanting to know things about me so, yes, being noisy and, not sure, checking if we had mutual friends, colleagues or we lived in the same neighbourhood and no, i didn't know them before. And yes, if i'm someone's daughter or sister too. After that, if i ever see them again, they ignore you or they are being too direct and harsh on you a bit cause, i don't know, they think you're good or something.
We speak the same or similar accent but so what. That accent is pretty close to a standard speech here so, i don't see any fondness in that and using me so they can know it all about me, i really dislike it and especially in a workplace.
This happens to me almost every single time. I was born on the west of my region but i can recognise people from the east, south and north not so but i am thankful when some people don't mention or notice the same or similar accent.
I respect those people more cause, we need to focus on our jobs, for example, not trivial things.
The post i was writing and posted here about uncomfortable job interview or a job offer, one of the teachers was from my region, she mentioned a couple of times and the way she acted, not being honest at all, i would appreciate these people not meeting me, after i get job or not. Also, i believe it's extremely rude and not ethical for teachers to peak into future employee's resume without a principal's approval but again, my previous post said it all.
Did you have similar experiences about people from your region?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@xstitcher (38576)
• Petaluma, California
24 Jan
I'm not exactly sure what you mean.
1 person likes this
@valherma00 (2467)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
25 Jan
People from your region,county or the city where you've born.do you like or dislike meeting people from there in unknown places?for example,you visit chicago and you happen to be from long island and there is someone from long island too and then they start approaching you due to that.
@xstitcher (38576)
• Petaluma, California
25 Jan
@valherma00 No, there's not reason that would bother me.
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@valherma00 (2467)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
25 Jan
@xstitcher o,okay. i don't like people intruding me and then not even saying a proper goodbye. once, i've travelled by a train a few years ago, visiting my parents and there was a man who asked me was my father that and that. and he was with his wife. i asked him, and why do you ask me that and he was left speechless. he was from the same place as me, maybe knew my father but i didn't have a clue who he was but i said yes, he's my father. i exchanged some info with his wife more and when we had to exit the train ,i was the first to say goodbye, not them so, yes, not a fun experience, you know.
@indahwow (122)
• Yogyakarta, Indonesia
23 Feb
I truly understand how you feel because I’ve had very similar experiences myself. Living away from our home region and then meeting people who immediately assume closeness just because of a shared accent or background can feel uncomfortable.
In my experience, having the same regional background doesn’t automatically create a meaningful connection. Sometimes it feels like the only reason they approach is to gather personal information, asking about family, mutual connections, neighborhoods, or trying to “place” you socially. That can feel intrusive, especially when you didn’t know them before and there’s no real purpose behind the interaction.
I also believe that in professional settings, this kind of behavior is inappropriate. Work environments should focus on competence, collaboration, and professionalism, not on regional identity or personal background. I’ve personally felt uneasy when someone repeatedly emphasized that we were from the same region, as if that defined the entire interaction. It shouldn’t.
Like you, I respect people much more when they don’t highlight the shared accent or background and simply treat me as an individual colleague. That shows maturity and professionalism.
Your feelings are not strange or wrong. Setting boundaries and wanting to be valued for who you are, not where you’re from, is completely valid.
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@valherma00 (2467)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
1 Mar
thank you for understanding me fully. you said it how i felt and experiences i went through. you are right, it's professional and mature to focus on things that matter. it was very insive and it's like that every time so, not being able to change people, we should set some boundaries, indeed. thank you again.
1 person likes this
@valherma00 (2467)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
25 Jan
The fact they mentioned first my personal data and act like i own them something or we have something in common is wrong from the start. I'm glad you haven't experienced it. I'm considering to lie from now on.
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