NationStates Jolt Archive

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I was having this debate in my US History II class (Yes, I am a Junior in High School ). And I noticed it too. So I asked people at my lunch table. "What are you?" They proceeded to say the same things I mentioned up there. But not one said American.

What is an American? Does it even exist?

Maybe its just a big mascot we like to think of and that our founding fathers made up. Now I found out more and more and began to understand this, but I want to hear some other peoples thoughts on this besides my high school peers.

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I don't say it because I'm not an American.

Something tells me that the majority of the world wouldn't consider America to be having an identity crisis.

I don't say it because I'm not an American.

This is also true.

Depends. Do you commonly call them restrooms, loos, or toilets?

Really, I find it incorrect to even say "I'm English, Irish, etc."

There are only 9 geographical races. So when describing your heritage, you should say (IMHO):

If you're from England:

"I'm European. My family comes from England."

Kinda the way I learned it, with my ideas fused in the middle.

Really, I find it incorrect to even say "I'm English, Irish, etc."

There are only 9 geographical races. So when describing your heritage, you should say (IMHO):

If you're from England:

"I'm European. My family comes from England."

Kinda the way I learned it, with my ideas fused in the middle.
Makes sense if you're talking about race, but if you're talking about nationality, you'd say 'I'm English'. Or British, I guess.

Rest assured, you all are American. Put any of you guys into your pretend country of origin and the differences should become fairly obvious.

American is a fairly open term, and is often believed to be something different than the traditional national terms. American is ill defined, there is no common language, religion, ethnicity or many of the other things that define the nation. We've got borders and we've got citizenship, but that's it. It's tough to define American by the traditional Westphalian nation-state methods, and it leads to a lot of complications.

I wouldn't say it because it's not true.
And I can't help but wondering why Amercians keep doing that... after all, I'm half-Austrian, half-German living in Ireland. So that's what I tell people.

I wouldn't say it because it's not true.
And I can't help but wondering why Amercians keep doing that... after all, I'm half-Austrian, half-German living in Ireland. So that's what I tell people.

Just your name would probably be quicker.

Rest assured, you all are American. Put any of you guys into your pretend country of origin and the differences should become fairly obvious.

What? Please, enlightened us to your ideas.

Because not everyone was born right in the U.S.A.

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

Are you often asked what you are? I don't know that anyone has ever asked me that.

I am an American (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZR1FhdkB2E)

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I was having this debate in my US History II class (Yes, I am a Junior in High School ). And I noticed it too. So I asked people at my lunch table. "What are you?" They proceeded to say the same things I mentioned up there. But not one said American.

What is an American? Does it even exist?

Maybe its just a big mascot we like to think of and that our founding fathers made up. Now I found out more and more and began to understand this, but I want to hear some other peoples thoughts on this besides my high school peers.

haha, I think I could be a son of the revolution if I wanted to - my family's about as american as you get without being *native* american. I introduce myself as ethnically welsh, scotch, and british - or as a quaker, as that's about the only thing my ancestors had in common, they got chased over here by angry anglicans...haha - american simply isnt' an ethinicity - it never has been, we were never an insular community long enough to develope distinctive traits - I recall reading sir arthur conan doyle's "the hound of the baskervilles" and he says how you can tell someone from that region in england by the shape of their forehead and color of their hair - you can't do that with americans - and in fact I rather strongly resembled the description he gave of someone from the north of england. you can't tell a pennsylvanian by looking at them - people from arizona don't have common genetic heritage for the most part. ask me my citizenship and I'd say american, but ask me what my heritage is, and I'd say half british, quarter welsh, quarter scottish. it's not because we don't like america (incidentally, I don't - if I move to another country I'll fake canadian) but simply because this nation has never been insular enough to develope a unique ethnicity. you have a reasonable chance of guessing who's phillipino or russian, or what part of china someone's family is from just looking at them - but you have no hope just looking at an american telling what they "are".

I am an American (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZR1FhdkB2E)

Dang, great video.

That's one of the good things to come out of 9/11, unity. Too bad you still have stupid racists wanted to move to the corne of Washington State and start talking about white/blacks. :(

I am an American (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZR1FhdkB2E)
Blind patriotism makes us laugh. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RXXaCIclJs) :)

I usually think of myself as Texan before American. It scares people even more than saying American.

I am an American (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZR1FhdkB2E)

ahaha - I can't decide if I think that ad is stupid or if I like the sentiment. if there's one thing that actually makes this country special, it's that diversity. of course - people have been protesting against it since there *was* a country, but oh well.

ahaha - I can't decide if I think that ad is stupid or if I like the sentiment. if there's one thing that actually makes this country special, it's that diversity. of course - people have been protesting against it since there *was* a country, but oh well.


I liked it because it does show the diversity of our nation :)

ahaha - I can't decide if I think that ad is stupid or if I like the sentiment. if there's one thing that actually makes this country special, it's that diversity. of course - people have been protesting against it since there *was* a country, but oh well.

I think the sentiment is worth it, and that it's a good reminder not to be an ass, just because someone looks or talks different from you.

What? Please, enlightened us to your ideas.

Trust me...it's generally one of the easiest things in the world to tell who's American and who is an actual native of the nation they claim to be from.

ask me my citizenship and I'd say american, but ask me what my heritage is, and I'd say half british, quarter welsh, quarter scottish.
So...erm...100% British, then? Do you mean half English, quarter Welsh, quarter Scottish?

What? Please, enlightened us to your ideas.

Because not everyone was born right in the U.S.A.
Where someone comes from depends on where they spent their formative years. If you spent your childhood and perhaps teenage years in the US, you're American, regardless where your parents came from.

That works with every country on the planet.

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I was having this debate in my US History II class (Yes, I am a Junior in High School ). And I noticed it too. So I asked people at my lunch table. "What are you?" They proceeded to say the same things I mentioned up there. But not one said American.

What is an American? Does it even exist?

Maybe its just a big mascot we like to think of and that our founding fathers made up. Now I found out more and more and began to understand this, but I want to hear some other peoples thoughts on this besides my high school peers.

"American" is too unspecific. Although US folks like to ignore it, America is more than just the US. The US is not even the largest territory of America.

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I was having this debate in my US History II class (Yes, I am a Junior in High School ). And I noticed it too. So I asked people at my lunch table. "What are you?" They proceeded to say the same things I mentioned up there. But not one said American.

What is an American? Does it even exist?

Maybe its just a big mascot we like to think of and that our founding fathers made up. Now I found out more and more and began to understand this, but I want to hear some other peoples thoughts on this besides my high school peers.

It's kind of a loaded question to start with. If you're asking a group of Americans to define themselves, they are probably making the assumption that you are asking about ancestral nationality. Otherwise, why are you even asking?

The more mixed up that heritage gets, the more likely they might just shrug their shoulders and say 'I dunno... American?', or heaven forbid, give you a long family history lesson. It doesn't mean that they don't consider themselves any less American.

(Although I'm Canadian, the experience is about the same.)

"American" is too unspecific. Although US folks like to ignore it, America is more than just the US. The US is not even the largest territory of America.

Ah geez, don't even go there. Trust me, you go to Europe, someone asks you were you're from, you say 'America' and everyone understands.

Ah geez, don't even go there. Trust me, you go to Europe, someone asks you were you're from, you say 'America' and everyone understands.

yup

I AM CANADIAN!

I prefer this to saying "I am American"...

Blind patriotism makes us laugh. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RXXaCIclJs) :)

What do you want us to do? Write a formal apology for being born in to this country, and promise to hate America like proper Europeans?

Honestly, I am getting TIRED of the snarky attitudes from so many Europeans. Yes, America does do a lot of stupid things. I'm a diehard Liberal, so I'm as disgusted with our goverment as you are. But just FYI, not everyone in America supports Bush. Not everyone in America supports the Iraq War. Not everyone in America thinks that Gitmo is even remotely acceptable.

We may not support Bush, but that doesn't mean that we aren't American.

America isn't just full of fools who spout "God bless America! If you don't like America, you are a TERRUR-IST!" at every turn. I can understand if you don't like that type of person. Frankly, neither do I. But PLEASE back off America as a whole. There are plenty of easy-going, compassionate Americans, who want nothing more than to live their own lives peacefully.

As it were, that ad was NOT about blind patriotism. It was about how America, despite being one of the more diverse nations in the world, can completely unite under pressure. There's nothing shameful in that, sir, and I refuse to hang my head because you arrogantly think that I should be ashamed of what I am.

Just so we're clear, I support the impeachment of Bush, and I think that the invasion of Iraq was nothing less than a criminal act. Don't label me as a hick right-winger here.

Blind patriotism makes us laugh. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RXXaCIclJs) :)

Hehe. :D

Trust me...it's generally one of the easiest things in the world to tell who's American and who is an actual native of the nation they claim to be from.

He's right, there's more to being Irish (for example) than just having your family originally come from there. It's a whole different country, with different customs. Have you got an Irish accent? Were most of the people you were brought up with real Irishmen, do you interact with fellow Irishmen everyday? Do you watch Irish TV, follow their sports teams, know much about their politics and so on? Have you got an Irish passport?

Going by American definitions, I'm half-Irish. But common sense tells me I'm not, I have never in my life been on Irish soil. I find it silly when Americans claim to be of a certain country, when clearly they are not.

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?
Well that's silly. Most of them probably are Americans.

On the Canadian census, "Canadian" is the fastest growing nationality as people cease identifying themselves with whatever country their grandparents came from and start realising:

a) Their identity isn't really that influenced by that country.
b) Their ancestors came from so many different places it no longer matters.

My four grandparents came from 4 different countries (Sweden, Wales, England, USA) - there's no way I could sensibly claim to be anything other than Canadian.

I AM CANADIAN!

I prefer this to saying "I am American"...

If it weren't branded by Molson, I'd be more inclined to be excited by those words. But yeah, I think of myself as a Canadian before I think of myself as a North American.

What do you want us to do? Write a formal apology for being born in to this country, and promise to hate America like proper Europeans?

Honestly, I am getting TIRED of the snarky attitudes from so many Europeans. Yes, America does do a lot of stupid things. I'm a diehard Liberal, so I'm as disgusted with our goverment as you are. But just FYI, not everyone in America supports Bush. Not everyone in America supports the Iraq War. Not everyone in America thinks that Gitmo is even remotely acceptable.

We may not support Bush, but that doesn't mean that we aren't American.

America isn't just full of fools who spout "God bless America! If you don't like America, you are a TERRUR-IST!" at every turn. I can understand if you don't like that type of person. Frankly, neither do I. But PLEASE back off America as a whole. There are plenty of easy-going, compassionate Americans, who want nothing more than to live their own lives peacefully.

As it were, that ad was NOT about blind patriotism. It was about how America, despite being one of the more diverse nations in the world, can completely unite under pressure. There's nothing shameful in that, sir, and I refuse to hang my head because you arrogantly think that I should be ashamed of what I am.

Just so we're clear, I support the impeachment of Bush, and I think that the invasion of Iraq was nothing less than a criminal act. Don't label me as a hick right-winger here.

Touchy much?

Where did he say that all Americans were like that?

Where did he say that all patriotism is blind patriotism?

Where did he say that only Americans are blindly patriotic?

Where did he say anything other than "blind patriotism makes us laugh"?

She's right

Better :p

Yes, America does do a lot of stupid things.

So please don't claim that you're English/Irish/German and so on. It's embarrasing, us Europeans don't want to be reminded that your fucked-up country is all our fault. :( :p

Well that's silly. Most of them probably are Americans.

On the Canadian census, "Canadian" is the fastest growing nationality as people cease identifying themselves with whatever country their grandparents came from and start realising:

a) Their identity isn't really that influenced by that country.
b) Their ancestors came from so many different places it no longer matters.

My four grandparents came from 4 different countries (Sweden, Wales, England, USA) - there's no way I could sensibly claim to be anything other than Canadian.

Yeah, the sooner we mongrelize, the sooner we can give up on this nationality crap.

So, that being said, I need to hook up with some girls of varying ethnicities...

haha, I think I could be a son of the revolution if I wanted to - my family's about as american as you get without being *native* american. I introduce myself as ethnically welsh, scotch, and british - or as a quaker, as that's about the only thing my ancestors had in common, they got chased over here by angry anglicans...haha - american simply isnt' an ethinicity - it never has been, we were never an insular community long enough to develope distinctive traits - I recall reading sir arthur conan doyle's "the hound of the baskervilles" and he says how you can tell someone from that region in england by the shape of their forehead and color of their hair - you can't do that with americans - <verbiage snippage by Geldhame to make post readable

Really, I find it incorrect to even say "I'm English, Irish, etc."

There are only 9 geographical races. So when describing your heritage, you should say (IMHO):

If you're from England:

"I'm European. My family comes from England."

Kinda the way I learned it, with my ideas fused in the middle.


Now this is odd, when I read the original post I automatically assumed we were talking about *nationality* not some half-baked notion of ethnicity or genetic purity . . .

Consider that currently paleoanthropologists reckon that the entire genetic stock of homo-sapiens is descended from about 10,000 pre-historic individuals; and simple mathematics shows that if you take your family line back to a time just beyond the Roman Empire you are descended from rather more people than have *ever* existed on the Earth* - you realise that all of us could be considered just one big family.

I honestly find the two quotes above a bit creepy in the "Genetic Purity / Superiority" line of thought. Saying that you are proud to belong to a nation is one thing (and bad in excess), but saying that you are proud to be part of a genetically distinct line? :(

* - Of course, as Bill Bryson illustrated in his book "A Short History of Nearly Everthing", this leads to the conclusion that we *all* have a little incest in some back corners of our family trees, albeit at a tasteful remove, or three . . . :eek:

Yeah, the sooner we mongrelize, the sooner we can give up on this nationality crap.
Bah. On the census I identify myself as Albertan.

What do you want us to do? Write a formal apology for being born in to this country, and promise to hate America like proper Europeans?

Honestly, I am getting TIRED of the snarky attitudes from so many Europeans. Yes, America does do a lot of stupid things. I'm a diehard Liberal, so I'm as disgusted with our goverment as you are. But just FYI, not everyone in America supports Bush. Not everyone in America supports the Iraq War. Not everyone in America thinks that Gitmo is even remotely acceptable.

We may not support Bush, but that doesn't mean that we aren't American.

America isn't just full of fools who spout "God bless America! If you don't like America, you are a TERRUR-IST!" at every turn. I can understand if you don't like that type of person. Frankly, neither do I. But PLEASE back off America as a whole. There are plenty of easy-going, compassionate Americans, who want nothing more than to live their own lives peacefully.

As it were, that ad was NOT about blind patriotism. It was about how America, despite being one of the more diverse nations in the world, can completely unite under pressure. There's nothing shameful in that, sir, and I refuse to hang my head because you arrogantly think that I should be ashamed of what I am.

Just so we're clear, I support the impeachment of Bush, and I think that the invasion of Iraq was nothing less than a criminal act. Don't label me as a hick right-winger here.


*lol
Now, that always kills me. USAmericans on the whole seem to like nothing better than to make stupid jokes about every single country they know of, be that the "surrender monkeys" or the "Nazi Krauts", immitating an Italian or Japanese accent is sure to get laughs all over the place, but woe to the European who dares make a joke about America! That's anit-Americanism, quick, send a letter to your congressman. :D :D :D

"American" is too unspecific. Although US folks like to ignore it, America is more than just the US. The US is not even the largest territory of America.

Well I have never been labeled Canadian in any of the other countries I have been to.

Many times they speak their language and if I don't know it, I tell them and they usually respond "Ah American?"

Trust me...it's generally one of the easiest things in the world to tell who's American and who is an actual native of the nation they claim to be from.

Oh, that's what you meant. I was confused by the words you chose.

What do you want us to do? Write a formal apology for being born in to this country, and promise to hate America like proper Europeans?

Honestly, I am getting TIRED of the snarky attitudes from so many Europeans. Yes, America does do a lot of stupid things. I'm a diehard Liberal, so I'm as disgusted with our goverment as you are. But just FYI, not everyone in America supports Bush. Not everyone in America supports the Iraq War. Not everyone in America thinks that Gitmo is even remotely acceptable.

We may not support Bush, but that doesn't mean that we aren't American.

America isn't just full of fools who spout "God bless America! If you don't like America, you are a TERRUR-IST!" at every turn. I can understand if you don't like that type of person. Frankly, neither do I. But PLEASE back off America as a whole. There are plenty of easy-going, compassionate Americans, who want nothing more than to live their own lives peacefully.

As it were, that ad was NOT about blind patriotism. It was about how America, despite being one of the more diverse nations in the world, can completely unite under pressure. There's nothing shameful in that, sir, and I refuse to hang my head because you arrogantly think that I should be ashamed of what I am.

Just so we're clear, I support the impeachment of Bush, and I think that the invasion of Iraq was nothing less than a criminal act. Don't label me as a hick right-winger here.

You are sounding like a right-winger!

One of the great past times is laughing at ourselves. Why else would there be soo many bushisms and clinton jokes?

Oh, that's what you meant. I was confused by the words you chose.

It wasn't me you quoted originally, I just tried to clarify what I assumed Neu Leonstein meant.

My four grandparents came from 4 different countries (Sweden, Wales, England, USA) - there's no way I could sensibly claim to be anything other than Canadian.

Actually Canadian is wrong. You are a mutt :p

Yeah, the sooner we mongrelize, the sooner we can give up on this nationality crap.

So, that being said, I need to hook up with some girls of varying ethnicities...

Senator Bulworth? Is that you?

It wasn't me you quoted originally, I just tried to clarify what I assumed Neu Leonstein meant.

lol, I knew that. Should've said "his word choice"...

*lol
Now, that always kills me. USAmericans on the whole seem to like nothing better than to make stupid jokes about every single country they know of, be that the "surrender monkeys" or the "Nazi Krauts", immitating an Italian or Japanese accent is sure to get laughs all over the place, but woe to the European who dares make a joke about America! That's anit-Americanism, quick, send a letter to your congressman. :D :D :D

Way to generalize. :rolleyes:

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I was having this debate in my US History II class (Yes, I am a Junior in High School ). And I noticed it too. So I asked people at my lunch table. "What are you?" They proceeded to say the same things I mentioned up there. But not one said American.

What is an American? Does it even exist?

Maybe its just a big mascot we like to think of and that our founding fathers made up. Now I found out more and more and began to understand this, but I want to hear some other peoples thoughts on this besides my high school peers.the question is "What are you?" if it was asked in the USA, of course you won't have American as an answer... because they would assume you know that.

the problem is with Political Correctness. if that question was asked 20 years ago, the reply would be [ethnic origin]-American

if asked that 40 years ago, you would get American.

the question is "What are you?" if it was asked in the USA, of course you won't have American as an answer... because they would assume you know that.

the problem is with Political Correctness. if that question was asked 20 years ago, the reply would be [ethnic origin]-American

if asked that 40 years ago, you would get American.

Political Correctness?

Then what about all those past (and some are still present) comments about micks, wops, pollacks, etc. Where they not Americans?

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I was having this debate in my US History II class (Yes, I am a Junior in High School ). And I noticed it too. So I asked people at my lunch table. "What are you?" They proceeded to say the same things I mentioned up there. But not one said American.

What is an American? Does it even exist?

Maybe its just a big mascot we like to think of and that our founding fathers made up. Now I found out more and more and began to understand this, but I want to hear some other peoples thoughts on this besides my high school peers.

you are sitting in your jr high history class in the united states of america and you wonder why no one says "i am an american"

the explanation is simple. EVERYONE THERE WAS AN AMERICAN. (except for some places where they have an abundance of immigrants who are not yet americans).

the response to "i am an american" would be a big fat "DUH!"

it would be like saying "i am a human". well buddy, thats not a big surprise, monkeys are not allowed in US schools.

if you were in a school in the UK you would have answered "i am an american" even if you had 100% scottish roots.

in an american school that is not filled with immigrants, the answer CANT be "american". thats not what is being asked. obviously. the question really was "what are your ethnic and cultural roots?" so people answered appropriately.

I'm an American of Sicilian and Puerto Rican descent.

;)

Political Correctness?

Then what about all those past (and some are still present) comments about micks, wops, pollacks, etc. Where they not Americans?

they are Slurs at worst Slangs at best.

I'm an American of Sicilian and Puerto Rican descent.

;)

So you're about as New York as they come?

I'm an American of Sicilian and Puerto Rican descent.

;)

That could be hot.....we should get together.;)

I say American.

they are Slurs at worst Slangs at best.

And the point is the fact that people segment other people. And yet, people are "upset" that people are segmenting themselves.

What is an American? It's nothing more then a classification. There are sub-classifications.

We could call the aboriginals Americans. However, would they not describe themselves of the five nations, the apache, etc.?

The fact somebody says they are Polish-American means nothing more then an American of Polish extract.

Maybe it simply flows better then saying you are american polish?

Well, me personally...
I sometimes prefer Chinese-Canadian. When someone's asking me what my background or ethnicity is I'll say Chinese. But I usually refer to myself as Canadian, since I am Canadian born and raised, and I am a Canadian, first and foremost.

So you're about as New York as they come?

You got it. ;)

That could be hot.....we should get together.;)

I refer you to this post: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11847512&postcount=56

and this one... :-D http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11847551&postcount=58

And the point is the fact that people segment other people. And yet, people are "upset" that people are segmenting themselves.

What is an American? It's nothing more then a classification. There are sub-classifications.

We could call the aboriginals Americans. However, would they not describe themselves of the five nations, the apache, etc.?

The fact somebody says they are Polish-American means nothing more then an American of Polish extract.

Maybe it simply flows better then saying you are american polish?actually, it flows better when people say, "I'm an American."

because that's all that really matters... all that should really matter.

actually, it flows better when people say, "I'm an American."

because that's all that really matters... all that should really matter.

Yes, but when one is in an American school with a bunch of other Americans, that isn't the answer to the question that is being asked in "What are you?" of course your an American thats why your at an American public school, unless you are an exchange student but in that case American sill wouldn't be the right answer. The question that is implied in that question and the one that is actualy being asked is "What is your ethnic/cultural background?" this is something that is understood by the vast majority of people being asked the question and as a result they attempt to anwer it as best they can.

Blind patriotism makes us laugh. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RXXaCIclJs) :)

So its true that people from England have a bad sense of humor?;)

anyway, it is because we aren't discussing where "you" are from perse, but more where your family is from. Saying "I'm _____" is a shortened way of saying "I am of ____ decent" or "my family comes from ______". We all know that someone who has lived here their entire life is American, and not Irish or Italian or German or what-have-you.

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I was having this debate in my US History II class (Yes, I am a Junior in High School ). And I noticed it too. So I asked people at my lunch table. "What are you?" They proceeded to say the same things I mentioned up there. But not one said American.

What is an American? Does it even exist?

Maybe its just a big mascot we like to think of and that our founding fathers made up. Now I found out more and more and began to understand this, but I want to hear some other peoples thoughts on this besides my high school peers.

But American's also don't say that they have an accent. Which is absurd. Americans have an American accent.

Americans take the American bit as read. However, virtually all Americans are conscious of their forgein ancestry, and it is assumed that that is what someone is asking. It's like if you ask someone for the date. They tend not to tell you the year and the month. Just the day of the month.

Just like Americans say "accent" when they mean "accent other than American," they say "what's your nationality?" when they mean "what is the nationality of your ancestry outside of this country?"

As for what constitutes an American, or any other nationality, that's tougher. For most of Western civilisation people didn't primarily identify themselves according to their nation. They were identified by a web of alliegences to religous leaders, lords, kings, races, and nations. Deep down we still identify with most of that (though you can replace parties and politicians for kings and lords).

e.g. I felt like a "New Yorker" long before I felt like an "American," and the Nebraskans seemed as out of place as the Swedish in "my city." Even when I go abroad and people ask me where I'm from I say "New York," rather than "America." When my cousin introduced me to people as "my cousin from America," I noticed that the reactions I got to "from America" were very different from the reactions I got to "from New York." So in terms of your identity and the perceptions of others, nationality is a complicated thing these days, because it tries to mean a lot of different things, and ends up not meaning any of them.

So its true that people from England have a bad sense of humor?;)

Well, a professional comedian told me that people loose their sense of humor when you go West of Delaware and it doesn't show up again until you get to Vegas. Humorwise the country is about 30 some-odd states of nothing but groin-kicks and bodily functions.

e.g. I felt like a "New Yorker" long before I felt like an "American," and the Nebraskans seemed as out of place as the Swedish in "my city." Even when I go abroad and people ask me where I'm from I say "New York," rather than "America." When my cousin introduced me to people as "my cousin from America," I noticed that the reactions I got to "from America" were very different from the reactions I got to "from New York." So in terms of your identity and the perceptions of others, nationality is a complicated thing these days, because it tries to mean a lot of different things, and ends up not meaning any of them.

You lot don't exactly blend in here either;) , I know my dad still gets comments about his "New York accent" despite living here far longer than he lived there.

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I was having this debate in my US History II class (Yes, I am a Junior in High School ). And I noticed it too. So I asked people at my lunch table. "What are you?" They proceeded to say the same things I mentioned up there. But not one said American.

What is an American? Does it even exist?

Maybe its just a big mascot we like to think of and that our founding fathers made up. Now I found out more and more and began to understand this, but I want to hear some other peoples thoughts on this besides my high school peers.



really..im a junior too. but anyway...i think its the context. When we ask that question we're basically asking where your ancestors come from. But when we're in another country...the answer should always be...I am an American. But really, there is no true american...other than maybe racoons or a squirrel.

Well, a professional comedian told me that people loose their sense of humor when you go West of Delaware and it doesn't show up again until you get to Vegas. Humorwise the country is about 30 some-odd states of nothing but groin-kicks and bodily functions.

groin kicks can be great...but yeah, that sounds about right.

But American's also don't say that they have an accent. Which is absurd. Americans have an American accent. Nope. I have a central connecticut accent, blended with a bit of New York, a bit of Long Island, and a good chunk of Boston.:)

e.g. I felt like a "New Yorker" long before I felt like an "American," and the Nebraskans seemed as out of place as the Swedish in "my city." Even when I go abroad and people ask me where I'm from I say "New York," rather than "America." When my cousin introduced me to people as "my cousin from America," I noticed that the reactions I got to "from America" were very different from the reactions I got to "from New York." So in terms of your identity and the perceptions of others, nationality is a complicated thing these days, because it tries to mean a lot of different things, and ends up not meaning any of them.

I hear you on that. I still identify more as a New Englander, a Connecticuter and a Bostonian than I do with American.

Yes, but when one is in an American school with a bunch of other Americans, that isn't the answer to the question that is being asked in "What are you?" of course your an American thats why your at an American public school, unless you are an exchange student but in that case American sill wouldn't be the right answer. The question that is implied in that question and the one that is actualy being asked is "What is your ethnic/cultural background?" this is something that is understood by the vast majority of people being asked the question and as a result they attempt to anwer it as best they can.

actually, it is the correct answer. I'm an American.

the reason why people answer with their ethnic background is because of Political Correctness.

Now if you're asking why there isn't any AMERICAN as ethinc background, there is. The native American people. however, they preferre to be reconized by tribe.

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I was having this debate in my US History II class (Yes, I am a Junior in High School ). And I noticed it too. So I asked people at my lunch table. "What are you?" They proceeded to say the same things I mentioned up there. But not one said American.

What is an American? Does it even exist?

Maybe its just a big mascot we like to think of and that our founding fathers made up. Now I found out more and more and began to understand this, but I want to hear some other peoples thoughts on this besides my high school peers.

If you go abroad, you would most likely tell them you're American.

If you go abroad, you would most likely tell them you're American.

I'll bet most Americans don't, in fact, tell people they're American when they're abroad.

I'll bet most Americans don't, in fact, tell people they're American when they're abroad.

Of course not. They tell people they're Canadian. ;)

I am an American (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZR1FhdkB2E)
That was stupid, melodramatic shit.

I loved it.

actually, it is the correct answer. I'm an American.

the reason why people answer with their ethnic background is because of Political Correctness.

Now if you're asking why there isn't any AMERICAN as ethinc background, there is. The native American people. however, they preferre to be reconized by tribe.

Or maybe because that is what is being asked when you ask a room full of Americans what they "are." As someone else already said people view it as a given that they are an American in the situation described therefore people respond with their ethnic background, since they can see, or assume at least, that that is what is being asked.

But American's also don't say that they have an accent. Which is absurd. Americans have an American accent.
Americans have a lot of different accents. ;) It depends on where in America one is from!

Americans have a lot of different accents. ;) It depends on where in America one is from!

I'll have you know that we Omahans don't have an accent, Steve Colbert himself says so;)

actually, it is the correct answer. I'm an American.

the reason why people answer with their ethnic background is because of Political Correctness.

Now if you're asking why there isn't any AMERICAN as ethinc background, there is. The native American people. however, they preferre to be reconized by tribe.

it has nothing to do with being politically correct. My mother and father, as children, all answered the question. So did my grandparents. It is a question of lineage, not anything relating to being politically correct. It stems from being a nation of immigrants.

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I was having this debate in my US History II class (Yes, I am a Junior in High School ). And I noticed it too. So I asked people at my lunch table. "What are you?" They proceeded to say the same things I mentioned up there. But not one said American.

What is an American? Does it even exist?

Maybe its just a big mascot we like to think of and that our founding fathers made up. Now I found out more and more and began to understand this, but I want to hear some other peoples thoughts on this besides my high school peers.

Kind of an easy one. did you mention to your teacher that you were in America , being asked by an American " what you were " ? If I was in France and someone asked me that question, I would say" I am America" But here in America, since there are only the American Indians of a thousand different tribes and representatives of every race and culture on earth , the questuion itself takes on a different context, you are obviously of some enthnicity or another or a combination of many . So it is natural you would answer another American in America with your entnicity , instead of saying "I am American " .
Unless you were Spanish or from another country here as an exchange student . or just felt like being a smart ass. :D

I'll have you know that we Omahans don't have an accent, Steve Colbert himself says so;)

Oh, well, if STEVE COLBERT says it it MUST be true.:p

I am a homo sapien.

:p

Oh, well, if STEVE COLBERT says it it MUST be true.:p

Yep (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWuAwmBTvfs&feature=PlayList&p=36B44ADA0220AC80&index=0), go to around 2:30 on it and the first question in the interview.:) ;)

Oh, well, if STEVE COLBERT says it it MUST be true.:p

Or at the very least "truthy" ;)

I'm an American of Sicilian and Puerto Rican descent.

;)

Puertotalien American?

Anyway, when are you gonna make an honest man of your betrothed?

And on a completely unrelated note that might be of interest to any New York New Yorkers......

New York Changing, pics from 1930s and present (http://www.themorningnews.org.nyud.net:8090/archives/photography/changing_new_york/)

duh, because its not American, Its 'Merican, got it, BOY!

*procceeds to swallow a bottle of rum, shits my own pants, and chokes to death on the fist full of skoal lodged in my mouth*

Death in true Conservative style......

I was adopted so when people ask me what my back ground is, I say American, even though I have recently found out I am Irish. But God bless america and not Ierland, so I am well, American. I was born in America not Ierland.

Of course not. They tell people they're Canadian. ;)

I must admit, I've done that a couple of times when confronted by groups of Turks in bars in Frankfurt, Germany. Of course, the fact that the Michigan accent is close enough to the Canadian one helps. Also, my speaking French doesn't hurt either.

Most of the time though, I just tell people that I'm from Michigan.

I say I'm Floridian. :D

Puertotalien American?

Anyway, when are you gonna make an honest man of your betrothed?

And on a completely unrelated note that might be of interest to any New York New Yorkers......

New York Changing, pics from 1930s and present (http://www.themorningnews.org.nyud.net:8090/archives/photography/changing_new_york/)

those pictures from 1930's actually remind me alot of Boston today

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I was having this debate in my US History II class (Yes, I am a Junior in High School ). And I noticed it too. So I asked people at my lunch table. "What are you?" They proceeded to say the same things I mentioned up there. But not one said American.

What is an American? Does it even exist?

Maybe its just a big mascot we like to think of and that our founding fathers made up. Now I found out more and more and began to understand this, but I want to hear some other peoples thoughts on this besides my high school peers.

The Americanism is implicit in that case.

Way to generalize. :rolleyes:

*lol
Thanks for making my point ;)

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I was having this debate in my US History II class (Yes, I am a Junior in High School ). And I noticed it too. So I asked people at my lunch table. "What are you?" They proceeded to say the same things I mentioned up there. But not one said American.

What is an American? Does it even exist?


I'm italian, I live in Italy, I was born in Italy, italian parents, grandparents and forefathers - ok, 500 years ago some of my forefathers lived in what now is Switzerland, but in that years that land was part of the Duchy of Milano.

I guess many US citizens simply didn't have time to lose their original ethnical, cultural heritage. 3 generations aren't enough to cancel five centuries of national identity, and replace it with some other identity. In the hypotetical case I'd emigrate to the US, I will still feel italian, even if I would be given US nationality, and I would pass my national identity to my sons and grandsons, even if they'd be american-born US citizens.

I think that the "american" (US citizen) still doesn't exist. Ethnical identities seem quite strong in the US, at least from what I see in the news. The problem is, that the mainstream culture is almost totally dominated by white-anglo-saxon-protestants; this gives other ethnical groups a reason for sticking to own culture and traditions (see: Columbus day for americans of italian origin, St.Patrick's day for the irish, the chinese New Year, jewish traditions). Maybe, in some other 3 or 4 centuries, the US will have a common national identity, just like european countries.

What do you want us to do? Write a formal apology for being born in to this country, and promise to hate America like proper Europeans?

Honestly, I am getting TIRED of the snarky attitudes from so many Europeans. Yes, America does do a lot of stupid things. I'm a diehard Liberal, so I'm as disgusted with our goverment as you are. But just FYI, not everyone in America supports Bush. Not everyone in America supports the Iraq War. Not everyone in America thinks that Gitmo is even remotely acceptable.

We may not support Bush, but that doesn't mean that we aren't American.

America isn't just full of fools who spout "God bless America! If you don't like America, you are a TERRUR-IST!" at every turn. I can understand if you don't like that type of person. Frankly, neither do I. But PLEASE back off America as a whole. There are plenty of easy-going, compassionate Americans, who want nothing more than to live their own lives peacefully.

As it were, that ad was NOT about blind patriotism. It was about how America, despite being one of the more diverse nations in the world, can completely unite under pressure. There's nothing shameful in that, sir, and I refuse to hang my head because you arrogantly think that I should be ashamed of what I am.

Just so we're clear, I support the impeachment of Bush, and I think that the invasion of Iraq was nothing less than a criminal act. Don't label me as a hick right-winger here.

I couldn't have said it better myself dude! And as for the original topic of this forum, i'd have to say that i do describe myself as "American" when i'm online talking to someone outside the country. Now if a person here asks what i am, i say 1/2 Itallian, 1/4 Irish, and 1/4 Cherokee. It would be pretty pointless to ask someone with an accent based out of America "What are you?", and hear them say "American" when you're American yourself. As for why i say what my ethnicity is, its more out of respect for where my bloodline came from. Culturally, there are things about me that are Itallian, Irish, and Cherokee. Thats why i see myself as American, but say i'm part Itallian, Irish and Cherokee.

Way to generalize. :rolleyes:

Btw, if you want to know what kind of stereotyping the rest of the world has to suffer, take a look here (http://beerfestmovie.warnerbros.com/)...
:p

The following is from a heated debate in my high school history class:

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

I was having this debate in my US History II class (Yes, I am a Junior in High School ). And I noticed it too. So I asked people at my lunch table. "What are you?" They proceeded to say the same things I mentioned up there. But not one said American.

What is an American? Does it even exist?

Maybe its just a big mascot we like to think of and that our founding fathers made up. Now I found out more and more and began to understand this, but I want to hear some other peoples thoughts on this besides my high school peers.

i guess, largely because of this (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11846860&postcount=8), having some roots or some form of historical identity becomes important. as such people put this misplaced origin first, perhaps. i think people like to know where they come from, and in a way that can be more important than where you are. particularly as this could be a pretty dumb question - asking a group of american citizens in america the vague question of "what are you", the question transforms into "where are you from" as the immediate answer is pretty fucking obvious :p

Something tells me that the majority of the world wouldn't consider America to be having an identity crisis.


Really? D'you know, I went there in April, and I'd never have noticed their sense of identity......:D

Yes, I was musing on this. Americans, who have a very clear national IDentity and distinct culture, rarely identify themselves cultrally as Americans, but rather as the particular ethnicity or social group to which they belong. The only sense that they seem to identify with the concept of being American is the political sense.

In contrast, Australians, who have a very indistinct, young and weak culture do identify with themselves as being 'Australian'. This is especially true of White Australians, but also applies to ethnics. Most people consider themselves to be Australian, and consider their national heritage as secondary. It is most odd, and I could not for the life of me explain it. I shall ponder some more...

Yes, I was musing on this. Americans, who have a very clear national IDentity and distinct culture, rarely identify themselves cultrally as Americans, but rather as the particular ethnicity or social group to which they belong. The only sense that they seem to identify with the concept of being American is the political sense.

In contrast, Australians, who have a very indistinct, young and weak culture do identify with themselves as being 'Australian'. This is especially true of White Australians, but also applies to ethnics. Most people consider themselves to be Australian, and consider their national heritage as secondary. It is most odd, and I could not for the life of me explain it. I shall ponder some more...
We all consider ourselves "American". That isn't what is at question. When asked "What are you", American is assumed. I was born here, I live here, I go to school and work here...it is a waste of time for me to say "I'm an American" to someone who is also, very clearly, American. It becomes a question of lineage.

Now, if someone from another country asked where I was from or what I am, I would answer "American". For example, you're Austrailian. If I was down there, and we were talking, say, in a bar, and you said "So what are you", I wouldn't share the fact that my mom is German, Irish, Welsh, English, Scotch, and my dad is Russian, Polish, French, Swiss, etc. I would respond "I'm American" or something similar.

I'll have you know that we Omahans don't have an accent, Steve Colbert himself says so;)

I'm pretty sure that was Nebraskans. "They sound like they're from nowhere. Which is pretty much true."

I'm pretty sure that was Nebraskans. "They sound like they're from nowhere. Which is pretty much true."

Pssst.... Omaha is in Nebraska. ;)

Just sayin'.

Why is it when asked in class what you are, you say "I'm English, Irish, German, Scotish, etc.", but you don't say American?

If you're living in America and in the country when you say what you are, that much is already implied, and most people in the country if you trace their family tree back far enough you'll find they're family is not from anywhere near this place. I'd be German and Italian as my dad's side of the family's from Germany and mom's is from Italy, although sometimes I just say Italian as there's just more ancestral pride along the Italian side.

Of course sometimes we also just go by what state we're from, such as Ohioan, Californian, Texan, etc.

The term "American" is used more often when not in the US or when talking to people overseas.

Americans is what David Bowie is afraid of.