You should see the Adam Sandler movie “Anger Management”. In the beginning he’s in the AM class and the guy asks him “tell us who you are” and nothing he says is good enough and he ends up getting angry again. :P
I believe the question is very awkward because there is no one right way to answer it. The dialogue from the movie was right on:
Nicholson: “Tell us about yourself, who are you?”
Sandler: “Well, I’m an executive assistant with a major pet products company…”
Nicholson: “I don’t want you to tell us what you do, I want you to tell us who you are.”
Sandler: “Oh, alright. I’m a pretty good guy; I play tennis on occasion…”
Nicholson: “Also, not your hobbies, just simple, tell us who you are.”
Sandler: “I might be a bit indecisive at times…”
Nicholson: “Now you’re describing your personality. I just want to know who you are.”
Sandler: “I don’t know what the hell you want me to say!”
It’s a stupid question. Everyone has their own idea of “who they are” and it can’t be defined by one thing. Some people have accused me of defining myself as my sexuality, but that’s just one part of me. Being male, being Russian, being blond, being sensitive, being interested in linguistics, all those things make up who I am (both physical and non-physical) and I can’t just put it in one phrase or pick one thing that defines who I am. Everything about me is who I am.