My Pop was a full blooded Polish person, and he expected me to like Polish cuisine. I don't really, but I tried all of it at least once, I still like decent kielbasi and beet soup. He was a mechanical engineer, but anything I did he took issue with, mainly to prevent me making mistakes, but it got to the point where I knew my stuff, but took a different (but not wrong) approach than he would have.
VicariousE
Whoever asked you to take pride in your family's past culture probably doesn't know you very well. Probably wasn't meant to be politically correct or anything, maybe the guy just likes Indian instruments. Doesn't mean you're obligated to learn something you don't wanna learn.
Plus you're quite an attractive young woman, its sure to make some people say or do stupid things, just to keep the conversation going :)
Troisnyx
To be honest, I think even people who know me well would ask me questions like these, if the thought ever crossed their mind. My mum, who knew me reasonably well by virtue of being perpetually there with me when I grew up, asked me this question when it came to my passion for drums. She was curious as to whether I would take up the tabla. I wasn't into it -- completely different learning style to mine, for starters. To a non-musician, or one who is still in his early stages of learning, or one who doesn't share the same end goal, it's difficult to explain -- and you and I both know how imperfect words can be as a means of communication.
Reason why I threw it out there is so I could see if there would perhaps be anyone who could relate.