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Growing up in the mainland, it was hard to explain to people what I am. So here are some frequently asked questions from encountering people, after they learn I'm Samoan.
"Aren't Samoans big?"
Samoan is not a size. We are people that come in all shapes & sizes.
"Are Samoans from Hawai'i?"
No. Samoans are from Samoa, which is located south of the equator in Pacific Ocean. Although, there are a lot of Samoans whom reside in Hawai'i and have settled there for many years.
"Can you do the haka?"
The haka is a ceremonial dance in Māori culture. We don't do the haka because it's called the siva tau.
"You must really good at volleyball (or any sport), huh?"
No, love. I am very uncoordinated in any sport. While a lot of our own are athletically inclined, not all of us were born to be athletes. Assuming that all Samoans can play a sport can come off very ignorant. Especially knowing that our people specialize in other talents.
"What's the difference between a Polynesian & Samoan? Aren't they the same thing?"
Polynesian refers to a larger group of ethnicities & cultures that come from the region of Polynesia. Samoa is located in this region, so it is technically the same thing. However, not all Pacific Islanders are Polynesian. There are two other regions that exist: Micronesia & Melanesia.
"Is it offensive to get a Polynesian tribal tattoo?"
I'm not going to lie... this question comes up more often than it should. I can't speak on behalf of the Polynesian community. All I can offer is advice: DO YOUR RESEARCH. The least you can do is have some knowledge of the culture, before you get one. Fa'afetai (thank you).
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