I feel like I may have inadvertently engaged in microaggressions in the past and I can definitely sympathize with the individuals that may impart them if they are not intended ill will. Part of overcoming cultural barriers involves bridging the gap to understanding, and I do admire questions and efforts to learn more about and become more comfortable with people who look and act differently than us. Because I did have such good intentions, it took learning about how these statements make others feel in order to recognize the behavior in myself. Now I am very cognizant of my language and how to frame comments and questions in a way that actually does compliment the other and doesn't make them feel othered.
