Just curious - what do you say when ppl in foreign countries ask where you are from?

[Anonymous]

I'm from Denmark and I say I live in America when talking to other foreigners or people back home. I've never gotten chewed out nor have I appeared to offend anyone with saying that. I think some of you are a bit too uptight. Obviously I'm aware there are other Americas. I've been to them but it's always just come natural to say "America". Sorry guys, didn't know I was every offending. ha ha

[Anonymous]

Another Canadian- If feel the same way! Why to people from the United States think they are the only people who are from 'America'? I always say Canada obviously, as I wouldn't want to be confused with an American anyways.

[Anonymous]

I don't say I am "from America," but I would say I am "American." Is there another country whose inhabitants call themselves this, and what else should we call ourselves? United Statisian doesn't sound right to me (& I've never heard anyone actually say this in real life).

[Anonymous]

"we hail from over yonder, beyond the great sea, where the deer and the antilope play"

[Anonymous]

Another Canadian- If feel the same way! Why to people from the United States think they are the only people who are from 'America'?

I agree with the Dane who says you and those in your camp are too sensitive. Or something.

The reason that the people from the United States of AMERICA call themselves "American" when we're making trite conversation at the Trevi fountain is that ... it's shorthand. Just like "U.S" is shorthand for United States of America. So is "USA". So is "US of A"

[Anonymous]

The States. But then that's because I'm Canadian.

[Anonymous]

"The US"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm from Denmark and I say I live in America when talking to other foreigners or people back home. I've never gotten chewed out nor have I appeared to offend anyone with saying that. I think some of you are a bit too uptight. Obviously I'm aware there are other Americas. I've been to them but it's always just come natural to say "America". Sorry guys, didn't know I was every offending. ha ha

I agree completely!

I usually say "American" or I might say "from the US"

Fellow North Americans, do you get equally offended when someone says "those stupid Americans" or "typical fat rude Americans"? Do you assume they are talking about you? Canadians? Mexicans? Brazilians? I am guessing no.

So if it is okay for folks from other countries to assume one is talking about the good ol' US of A when they are using "Americans" in a deurogatory manner, than it is also perfectly acceptable for a citizen of this country to use the term as a proud referral of being from this country.

[Anonymous]

From the US and I say Canada or Australia. Most foreigners hate the US, just safer for me and my family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The States. But then that's because I'm Canadian.

Earlier other Canadian. That is what we say too. The States. I've also heard many people say I am from the US or the USA. It would be extremely odd to me to say if we were crossing the border...we are going to America...as we are already in America (in Canada)..and America isn't a country.

And as you noticed - the Dane identified himself by country - he didn't say I'm from Europe (assuming you would know that meant Denmark!)

For me, I am not offended at all. I just find it funny that one identifies their country as being the continent or the continent as being one country. I am guessing there are many who in the US have no idea that they are not the only Americans (and many that do). It has become colloquial language because of the 'we are the only country that matters' perspective that someone from The States assumes that the name of the continent means their country. Substitute France/Europe or Japan/Asia for the US/America, and see how it sounds to you... it just sounds odd/funny but not offensive.

Sometimes if someone says they are from America, I will say oh me too...then they ask where, and I tell them and they get all confused!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The States. But then that's because I'm Canadian.

Earlier other Canadian. That is what we say too. The States. I've also heard many people say I am from the US or the USA. It would be extremely odd to me to say if we were crossing the border...we are going to America...as we are already in America (in Canada)..and America isn't a country.

And as you noticed - the Dane identified himself by country - he didn't say I'm from Europe (assuming you would know that meant Denmark!)

For me, I am not offended at all. I just find it funny that one identifies their country as being the continent or the continent as being one country. I am guessing there are many who in the US have no idea that they are not the only Americans (and many that do). It has become colloquial language because of the 'we are the only country that matters' perspective that someone from The States assumes that the name of the continent means their country. Substitute France/Europe or Japan/Asia for the US/America, and see how it sounds to you... it just sounds odd/funny but not offensive.

Sometimes if someone says they are from America, I will say oh me too...then they ask where, and I tell them and they get all confused!

See, that is where you have it wrong. We view the continent as "North America" (or South). "America" is not the continent; it is just shorthand for United States of America.

[Anonymous]

For example, Canada poster, if I asked someone where they were from and they responded "North America", I would follow with Canada? US? Mexico?

If I ask the same question and they say "from America" I would ask what state or city they were from.

In school, do you learn to name our continent as North America or just America?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For example, Canada poster, if I asked someone where they were from and they responded "North America", I would follow with Canada? US? Mexico?

If I ask the same question and they say "from America" I would ask what state or city they were from.

In school, do you learn to name our continent as North America or just America?

We learned them as The Americas: North America, Central America, and South America. We learned your country as the United States of America - and in short form, The States, the US or the USA. We were never taught that the US was America or that there was any country named America. Hence it sounds bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The States. But then that's because I'm Canadian.

Earlier other Canadian. That is what we say too. The States. I've also heard many people say I am from the US or the USA. It would be extremely odd to me to say if we were crossing the border...we are going to America...as we are already in America (in Canada)..and America isn't a country.

And as you noticed - the Dane identified himself by country - he didn't say I'm from Europe (assuming you would know that meant Denmark!)

For me, I am not offended at all. I just find it funny that one identifies their country as being the continent or the continent as being one country. I am guessing there are many who in the US have no idea that they are not the only Americans (and many that do). It has become colloquial language because of the 'we are the only country that matters' perspective that someone from The States assumes that the name of the continent means their country. Substitute France/Europe or Japan/Asia for the US/America, and see how it sounds to you... it just sounds odd/funny but not offensive.

Sometimes if someone says they are from America, I will say oh me too...then they ask where, and I tell them and they get all confused!

See, that is where you have it wrong. We view the continent as "North America" (or South). "America" is not the continent; it is just shorthand for United States of America.

So what do you think of America in the United States of America refers to, if not the continent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For example, Canada poster, if I asked someone where they were from and they responded "North America", I would follow with Canada? US? Mexico?

If I ask the same question and they say "from America" I would ask what state or city they were from.

In school, do you learn to name our continent as North America or just America?

We learned them as The Americas: North America, Central America, and South America. We learned your country as the United States of America - and in short form, The States, the US or the USA. We were never taught that the US was America or that there was any country named America. Hence it sounds bizarre.

That makes sense. We are just seeing the same things differently. It has nothing to do with us thinking America is the only country on the continent, because we don't see America as the continent. The continents, in our view, are North America and South America. Central America is a subcontinent of North America, and not its own continent. (like the color coded maps show it )