It's unfortunate that you have experienced people making assumptions about your ethnicity and language based on your appearance or name. This situation could be a result of several factors:
Stereotypes and generalizations: People often rely on stereotypes and generalizations when interacting with others. Due to the prominence of Hispanic communities in certain regions or countries, people might assume someone with certain physical features or a name that sounds familiar to them is of Hispanic descent.
Limited exposure and awareness: Some individuals may not have much exposure to different cultures and ethnicities, leading them to make assumptions based on what they are more familiar with.
Similarities in appearance: Italian and Hispanic individuals may share some physical features, leading to mistaken assumptions about their ethnicity.
Language connections: Italian and Spanish are both Romance languages, and while they are distinct, they share some similarities. People may mistakenly assume that being Italian means you also speak Spanish.
Language prevalence: Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages globally, and in some regions, there are significant Hispanic populations. This prevalence might lead people to default to Spanish when trying to communicate with someone they believe might be Hispanic.
It's essential to remember that making assumptions about someone's background based on appearance or name is not appropriate. People come from diverse backgrounds, and it's crucial to respect their individual identities. If you encounter someone assuming your ethnicity or language incorrectly, you have the right to politely correct them or share your cultural background.
It's essential to promote understanding and appreciation of different cultures and ethnicities, and this can be achieved through respectful communication and a willingness to learn about others' backgrounds.