Nationality

[cobright]

The Olympic flag has five rings, one for each continent

The Olympic committee doesn't represent unpopulated continents on its flag so it excludes antarctica. The olympic flag represents N. America and S. America separately.

 

[cobright]

From the olympics website ( http://www.olympic.org/documents/reports/en/en_report_1303.pdf ):

The five rings represent the five continents. They are interlaced to show the universality of Olympism and the meeting of the athletes of the world during the Olympic Games. On the Olympic flag, the rings appear on a white background. Combined in this way, the six colours of the flag (blue, yellow, black, green, red and white) represent all nations. It is a misconception, therefore, to believe that each of the colours corresponds to a certain continent.

 

[DeaverTex]

I do this too except I say "California."

Just like us Texans, but that's to be expected from states that were independent republics at one point. By the way, when asked where I'm from, if the asker is a Texan, I'll say Houston. (From birth until age 24.) If they're not a Texan, though -- or if I'm not certain -- I'll invariably answer that I'm from Texas. I've been asked in all seriousness how many oil wells I own, how many cattle I own, and whether or not I rode a horse to work.

And once, I was asked if we still had trouble with Indians. I had to admit that I hadn't had to to shoot a Comanche in months.

 

[bcla]

Just like us Texans, but that's to be expected from states that were independent republics at one point. By the way, when asked where I'm from, if the asker is a Texan, I'll say Houston. (From birth until age 24.) If they're not a Texan, though -- or if I'm not certain -- I'll invariably answer that I'm from Texas. I've been asked in all seriousness how many oil wells I own, how many cattle I own, and whether or not I rode a horse to work.

I recall being in a situation where I was in the presence of two people who lived in Texas. One was actually born and raised in California but had lived in Texas for at least a good 20 years. The other was a doctor from Austin. I was sort of joking with them that every good Texan is supposed to wear a cowboy hat and wear cowboy boots. They had no hats but pulled up their pants a little to show that they were both wearing cowboy boots.

I'm not sure why those are necessarily associated with Texas. On the way to Southern California, I saw oil wells (Kern County is swimming in oil money these days), cattle (the overpowering stench of Harris Ranch), and several horses. Those aren't necessarily Texan but aspects of rural areas.

 

[moon]

The Olympic committee doesn't represent unpopulated continents on its flag so it excludes antarctica. The olympic flag represents N. America and S. America separately.

Thank you, I don't know why my link didn't work.

But America is one ring, as one continent. The 5 Olympic rings stand for each of the 5 continents involved in the games; America, Oceania, Asia, Africa and Europe, so no separate rings for N. America and S. America

 

[FireDancer]

The rings representing the continents is a modern interpretation but de Coubertin, founder of the IOC, never used the term continent to explain the symbol. He referred to the rings representing the colors of the flags of competing nations and also of areas of the world but never continents. Areas does not equal continents.

America being one ring by no stretch of the imagination means it is viewed as one continent by geologists.

 

[MineMail]

Any official forms asking about citizenship will ask you to list the country, which would be "United States (of America)." Canadians are citizens of the country of Canada.

The reason many people say they are "American" is because it is the last word in the full country name. Therefore, it is a nickname, it does not refer to geographic location. There are American citizens around the globe.

 

[Zandy595]

Any official forms asking about citizenship will ask you to list the country, which would be "United States (of America)." Canadians are citizens of the country of Canada.

The reason many people say they are "American" is because it is the last word in the full country name. Therefore, it is a nickname, it does not refer to geographic location. There are American citizens around the globe.

I get it, but it still sounds weird to say my nationality is United States of America. Even if that's what it says on my passport.

 

[Hoof Hearted]

If you we're born in the us I would say you were a yank

 

[Zandy595]

If you we're born in the us I would say you were a yank

Don't tell that to someone from the south.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

If you we're born in the us I would say you were a yank

And most people south of the Mason-Dixon line would not take kindly to that.

 

[Robinrs]

I'm from NJ, work in NYC. I haven't traveled overseas, but I'm pretty sure the minute I open my mouth no one would have to ask the question.

I was on line in IoA with a family from England and after I said one thing to them the young boy said "Mummy, she talks like the Sopranos!"

 

[cobright]

I get it, but it still sounds weird to say my nationality is United States of America. Even if that's what it says on my passport.

Your nationality is United States and like all people from the United States you are called an American. Just like a Dutchman's nationality is Netherlands. Nationality and demonym are two separate but related things.

 

[disneydee6]

I either say New-Yorker or American.

What always peeves me is when people confuse nationality with heritage. My boyfriend says he's puerto rican, but he was born and raised in the US, and I think a lot of people do this, but it's INCORRECT! You are American, or even Puerto-Rican-American. You have Puerto Rican HERITAGE, but if you were not born there, then puerto rican is not your nationality. Get it right people!

 

[bcla]

I either say New-Yorker or American.

What always peeves me is when people confuse nationality with heritage. My boyfriend says he's puerto rican, but he was born and raised in the US, and I think a lot of people do this, but it's INCORRECT! You are American, or even Puerto-Rican-American. You have Puerto Rican HERITAGE, but if you were not born there, then puerto rican is not your nationality. Get it right people!

It's a semantic detail that varies depending on country of residence.

In the former Soviet Union, one could be a Soviet citizen, but identity documents included a "nationality". In the UK one can be both a UK national/citizen and also be of English/Scottish/Welsh nationality.

 

[CPT Tripss]

It's a semantic detail that varies depending on country of residence.

In the former Soviet Union, one could be a Soviet citizen, but identity documents included a "nationality". In the UK one can be both a UK national/citizen and also be of English/Scottish/Welsh nationality.

You mean The United Kingdom of Great Britian Northern Ireland, right?

 

[bcla]

You mean The United Kingdom of Great Britian Northern Ireland, right?

I was going to throw that in, but thought against it because it was starting to get awkward already.

The strange thing is that even those from Northern Ireland think of themselves as Irish before they'll think of themselves as UK citizens.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I was going to throw that in, but thought against it because it was starting to get awkward already.

The strange thing is that even those from Northern Ireland think of themselves as Irish before they'll think of themselves as UK citizens.

Not the staunch Unionists . . .

 

[Robinrs]

I either say New-Yorker or American.

What always peeves me is when people confuse nationality with heritage. My boyfriend says he's puerto rican, but he was born and raised in the US, and I think a lot of people do this, but it's INCORRECT! You are American, or even Puerto-Rican-American. You have Puerto Rican HERITAGE, but if you were not born there, then puerto rican is not your nationality. Get it right people!

Why should that bother you? Like a PP said it's a matter of semantics AND a matter of pride. Why get so riled up over what he considers HIMSELF?

 

[*Fantasia*]

My nationality is Filipino. I was born in the Philippines, but raised in the United States of America. My brother was born in U.S.A and his nationality is Filipino. We are Americans because we live here and we are citizen of the United States of AMERICA. ...and we are proud to be Americans!! But we will never forget where we came from.