answer:I think it is entirely up to the individual. Hyphenated identities can be an issue of controversy for some people. It was really interested to read about and study in my American Literature courses! My father’s grandfather moved here from Mexico. My father grew up in California. My mother was born in Ohio and raised in California. Her great-great-grandparents were from various European countries. I was born in California. I knew nothing outside being Californian (specifically, Southern Californian). There was nothing inherently European or Mexican about my experiences growing up. So I checked off “Other” or “Decline to State” on surveys. I didn’t feel like any one thing in particular. A close friend of mine, however, felt much closer to her Vietnamese heritage than her French colonial background. As a result, she was able to check off “Vietnamese” on surveys without hesitation. But when you throw American into the mix, it becomes confusing again. What makes one American? When, if ever, does one stop being Vietnamese? Is that identity based on traditions? Appearance? Language? Proximity? I have always viewed this particular labeling as a subjective portion of our identity that can change over time. As a result, to respond to your last question: why would you want to satisfy them at all? What would the label communicate to you, and how would it communicate to them?