Split: Mistaken for Canadian

Thanks for that, MrsPink - it's like what my friend here (MLG) explained too, but I struggled to put it into the right words & figured it would come off sounding weird to say more, not being Canadian myself.

Thanks for that, MrsPink - it's like what my friend here (MLG) explained too, but I struggled to put it into the right words & figured it would come off sounding weird to say more, not being Canadian myself.

I think you did pretty well!! 

I've thought about this before, too. Technically speaking, Canadians and Mexicans are Americans, as they belong to North America. Just the same that the French are Europeans, Chinese are Asians, Kenyans are Africans, and so on.

Just as Johnny Cash said, 'America is the continent, not this country [the USA].'

I hate this argument with a burning passion.  Yes, France is in Europe, but there is no country with the the word Europe in it.

It isn't Europe Germany, it is the United States of America.  It is North America, South America, Central America what have you. 

I'm not saying I get offended by people from Canada saying they are from America (but they never would), but am I supposed to call myself a United Statesian?  It would take forever to get through customs.

Besides, if we are saying that it is the continent, then saying I am American is fine. I am from the continent.

A lot of British people will just say "Are you from North America?" or "Is that a North American accent?" Keeps them out of trouble.

but am I supposed to call myself a United Statesian?  It would take forever to get through customs.

Besides, if we are saying that it is the continent, then saying I am American is fine. I am from the continent.

In Spain, an americano/americana is someone from the continent, ("the Americas") and could equally well be from south of the Rio Grande, anywhere from Mexico down to Chile/Argentina, whereas an estadounidiense is someone from the US.

"American" as in citizens of the United States of America comes from the name of the country.  Of course, you don't need to explain it because the obnoxious trend of using USAian is not from ignorance, but the need to get under someone's skin. At least I hope people aren't that thick.  If Americans want to be called "American", it shouldn't be a big deal to other English speakers.  Of course, when Canadians want to start calling themselves "American" we should probably address the convention at that time.

I like to point out that people are getting possessive about a name derived from a mapmaker who probably never stepped foot in the Americas, but based his claim on forged letters.  Go us.

I wouldn't get too upset about instances of American ignorance of Canada.  It's not like the opposite doesn't happen... And we share a massive border with people crossing back and forth relatively easily for generations (at least since WWII) and with media broadcasts being heard/watched on both sides for at least as long.  There's probably more understanding on both sides than people get credit for.  

I don't know any Canadians in the UK that get upset being called American and I don't care if people think I am Canadian. After all, we are two countries bounded together by land and love of Kraft Mac & Cheese.
What gets to me is the "oh i didn't want to offend you if you were Canadian" mentioned before and my all time pet peeve of "Oh, I asked if you were Canadian because all American's are fat". I think the people have said this meant it to be a compliment to me, but somehow did not realize they were being offensive to two nations of people (that is, until I told them). I have heard this about 6-7 times in 2 years and can still not believe people have the audacity to say that aloud. 

Uh oh... I might be in trouble here, as I have a confession to make.  I have teased the poor British public about mistakenly assuming I was from the states instead of just asking.

  I was in the park with my MIL and we were approached by two men promoting a new gym that had just opened nearby. After speaking with one of them for a minute, the man cheerfully asked " oh! What part of the states are you from?".... I'm not sure why I did this, but I had a look of shock on my face and very rudely replied " I'm not American!!! I'm from Canada! How very dare you!".   Poor guy stumbled over his apology and saying how he just assumed because "..the damn Yanks seem to be every where!" I laughed a little and then said " nah man, I'm just yanking your chain. I'm from California." then just stared at him as he struggled to figure out what to say next.....  At the time, I thought I was playing a harmless joke on this poor guy, now after reading this thread I feel like I've contributed to the American/Canadian problem.  I now will allow for hand slaps as I feel it is the proper punishment for my crimes against national identity. You may begin slapping now!

I don't know any Canadians in the UK that get upset being called American and I don't care if people think I am Canadian. After all, we are two countries bounded together by land and love of Kraft Mac & Cheese.
What gets to me is the "oh i didn't want to offend you if you were Canadian" mentioned before and my all time pet peeve of "Oh, I asked if you were Canadian because all American's are fat". I think the people have said this meant it to be a compliment to me, but somehow did not realize they were being offensive to two nations of people (that is, until I told them). I have heard this about 6-7 times in 2 years and can still not believe people have the audacity to say that aloud. 

I had a French guy say to me, "You're not so fat for an American girl"!  I'm sure he wasn't you're typical 20-30-something French guy, he was very into himself.  And I wasn't even overweight at all, as if that mattered.

Jeremy Clarkson says that whenever there is an American in the Top Gear audience.

My DH had a response when he was called American, but only to people who he knew he could take the piss out of: 

"Scot!"

That immediately put it in perspective for a lot of people in the UK because just as Europeans automatically put North Americans into one category, many many North Americans can't differentiate between the countries that make up the United Kingdom. 

The funny thing is, is that I quite often refer to North America as America.  Because I've lived in the US and Canada, that line was somewhat blurred for me when I lived in the UK.     

My DH had a response when he was called American, but only to people who he knew he could take the piss out of: 

"Scot!"

That immediately put it in perspective for a lot of people in the UK because just as Europeans automatically put North Americans into one category, many many North Americans can't differentiate between the countries that make up the United Kingdom. 

The funny thing is, is that I quite often refer to North America as America.  Because I've lived in the US and Canada, that line was somewhat blurred for me when I lived in the UK.     

I remember when my fiance and I first started dating, I kept calling him British and one day he stopped me and was like 'I'm English, not British." I never knew there was a difference until that day! But apparently there is and I can never remember how it goes - I think British is someone who is from the UK but not actual England itself whereas English is someone from England. I don't know, lol

For some reason this thread is reminding me of the conversation with my best friend when she asked me, "How are you going to understand them when you move to the UK?" 0.0

No, the distinction is about a person's feeling of national identity. Technically anyone from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is British, but many people feel a closer connection to the particular nation they're from. Your fiancé apparently feels more of an English identity. My fiancé is Scottish, and especially since he is a nationalist who wants Scottish independence, he does not refer to himself as British and doesn't like other people referring to him that way. He realises that he is a citizen of the UK, but when asked his nationality he will always put Scottish.

No, the distinction is about a person's feeling of national identity. Technically anyone from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is British, but many people feel a closer connection to the particular nation they're from. Your fiancé apparently feels more of an English identity. My fiancé is Scottish, and especially since he is a nationalist who wants Scottish independence, he does not refer to himself as British and doesn't like other people referring to him that way. He realises that he is a citizen of the UK, but when asked his nationality he will always put Scottish.

Yep, that's pretty much how he explained it to me, you just put it in better words than I did, lol

Of course, you don't need to explain it because the obnoxious trend of using USAian is not from ignorance, but the need to get under someone's skin.

  I prefer USian and have no desire whatsoever to get under people's skin. I think it's cute and, importantly, shorter.