I am part .... and part... and a quater ....

This is a huge pet peeve of my Irish husband. He hates the term 'Irish-American'. Before we got married I went for girlie drinks with my friends at an Irish pub in Baltimore (second in Irish-Americans only to Boston).

Did they sing The Body of An American? Like in The Wire? 

I also think, in addition to the immigration thing, that most Americans don't really identify themselves as 'American' because there is such an enormous difference in culture between the different regions and states.  For example, I think of myself as Californian before I think of myself as American.  Just as most New Yorkers would probably identify themselves as such before they would American.  I think, if you take away the ancestry, most people have a stronger connection to what part of the country they're from than the country as a whole.

I also think, in addition to the immigration thing, that most Americans don't really identify themselves as 'American' because there is such an enormous difference in culture between the different regions and states.  For example, I think of myself as Californian before I think of myself as American.  Just as most New Yorkers would probably identify themselves as such before they would American.  I think, if you take away the ancestry, most people have a stronger connection to what part of the country they're from than the country as a whole.

I 100% agree! I am from Florida and although we are in the South, we are very different from our Southern State Neighbours !

I for definitely a Floridian before I am an American 

just a side note, my parents named me Colleen... I have no Irish percentages, but I get people telling me all the time  how irish they are when I tell them my name 

Also I find a lot of people annoyed with people saying their are American too, seeing the whole north and south America thing. Just thought I throw that into the fire 

I also think, in addition to the immigration thing, that most Americans don't really identify themselves as 'American' because there is such an enormous difference in culture between the different regions and states.  For example, I think of myself as Californian before I think of myself as American.  Just as most New Yorkers would probably identify themselves as such before they would American.  I think, if you take away the ancestry, most people have a stronger connection to what part of the country they're from than the country as a whole.

Totally agree!

I also think, in addition to the immigration thing, that most Americans don't really identify themselves as 'American' because there is such an enormous difference in culture between the different regions and states.

I totally agree too!

Actually when I first came here, I noticed that if I told people I was American, I would often get a certain wary reaction -- like, hmm, what kind of american is she? So I started telling people I was from New York instead and I got universally positive reactions -- even people who I later found out were really anti-American loved new york!
I found it very interesting. But anyway, I definitely tend to think of myself as east coast more than anything else.

Hahahaha, is that blood running through your veins?... oh wait, no- it's booze. hahahahahahahaha.

I dunno. I would think most Americans would think of themselves as Americans first. 

As I would think most nationalities would identify with their country first.

Certainly with respect to other foreigners.

I wouldn't like to bore or annoy anyone, so I don't ever bring up my background or where I'm from in the US unless people ask.  And they do ask!  Sometimes they try to guess my background (I could pass for several different ethnicities) or guess what region from the US; they like to test their knowledge of US accents.

I dunno. I would think most Americans would think of themselves as Americans first. 

If asked, i would always say i was originally from California, not 'America'.

If asked, i would always say i was originally from California, not 'America'.

Me too. I get asked a lot and I say "California" or "San Francisco".

My sons are 100% American and were born here in Texas but their father is Mexican so they do tell people they are half American, half Mexican. I really don't see what's so wrong with that. No they've never lived in Mexico but they are half Mexican. And yes, they do get asked a LOT what they are.

If asked, i would always say i was originally from California, not 'America'.

I was stating what one might think in an international arena, not their reply.

I was just thinking if an American were standing amongst a crowd of foreigners, they would think he's French, he's German, she's Dutch, I'm American. like I said I dunno, just my way of thinking.

That is if they was inclined to stand around and think like that. 

This is a topic that I have thought about a lot before. I've always been interested in learning about different countries and cultures and languages and can remember being jealous that people from those countries have a distinct "culture" if that makes sense. I mean, if you hear "Italian" (as has been discussed here) there are certain cultural traits that immediately come to mind. There is a long history there, specific language (aka. they are Italian so they speak Italian.. [and yes, I know that modern Italian is technically just one dialect that was eventually accepted as the "standard Italian".]) , food, architecture..... However, that is something this is missing here- we don't have a long history. EVERYONE (even "natives") is from somewhere else. There is no such language as "American" or "United Statesian". Our culture is really a mish mash blend of many different cultures. I think that many people want to identify with some kind of ancestry/culture that is more specific that just "melting pot." I hope this makes sense!
I have many kids whose parents are from other countries and many of the kids were born and lived in those countries. However, a lot of them don't speak the language of their parents. It's kind of sad they are already losing that connection to their origins (at least to me). I know this is sort of the essence of becoming American, but I wonder if one day they will go back and want to reclaim that connection, especially as they have kids of their own.

I say I'm English as I was born here not because of my ancestors have been here centuries as clearly they have not. Think of it this way if I was a sportsman I would compete for England or Britain, if I went to war I would be a Britsh solider, not Irish or Dutch. If you are American-Italian I suspect you'd compete for the USA or be an American soldier not Italy.

When I first heard an American describe themselves as English I asked where he was born and it was the US I said I thought it was very strange for them to affiliate with another country more than his own.

See, I have problems with that. My husband's mother is Iranian. She was born in the UK - but spent her childhood in Iran to 2 Iranian parents. They were only in the UK at her birth due to being at University. While they eventually settled in the UK (..after DRIVING to Iran and back with a large Persian rug!) they raised her Iranian.

She does not have an Iranian passport (due to obvious reasons) nor does she have any desire to live in Iran. But you dare tell her she's not Persian and you'll be taking your own life into your hands!

When people ask, I nearly always say I'm from Texas or Dallas (everyone knows Dallas from the tv show, anyway). It just keeps the conversation shorter, too, as if I say American, then they will ask where I am from anyway.  Best to just cut to the chase, I think!