question inspired by the debate board

[faithinkarma]

America... Personally I do think that when people say it they do think of all people living in predominately english speaking countries on the actual North American continental landmass. Lets hear from some people who don't live in the US and Canada...be honest when you say American and it isn't in a political context don't you roll Canadians up in the bundle?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=5545732#post5545732

As a proud Canadian ( living happily in the US ) I would hope that other countries do distinguish us from the US. That when you say "Americans" you do not include Canadians. Or do you simply consider all English speaking people on this continent to be Americans?

 

[Hilary]

Before I visited Canada last year, I probably would have been guilty of thinking of Canadians as 'American', even though I knew really that this wasn't correct. Since visiting Canada I now know for sure that Canadians and Americans are distinct nationalities.

Let me pose another similar question - do non British people think of the English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish as all being English?

I am English (but always refer to myself as British), but now live in Wales and know how annoying it can be to Welsh people to be constantly referred to as 'English' when they are abroad.

 

[Goofyish]

If I use the phrase 'America' in a conversation or when writing something then I would be refering to the USA. If I was talking about Canada or South/Central America then I would say Canada etc.. and not use 'America' as a general term for the whole continent.

To be honest, if I heard a Canadian and I didn't know they were Canadian, I would assume them to be American

 

[AlanUK]

Personally I have always thought of the term 'American' as being in origin from the USA, or in the case of poeple, of being a citizen of the USA.

If the Canadians feel anything like the Scots or the Welsh do when they are referred to as English, then I would steer well clear of calling them American!

 

[faithinkarma]

Let me pose another similar question - do non British people think of the English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish as all being English?

I cannot speak for Americans, but I believe most Canadians know the difference. Certainly anyone of my generation does. When I was youger we still studied British history extensively in school. And, of course, the Queen is still the Queen of Canada.

I think of you as such distinct countries, I was surprised there was no border when I visited England, Scotland, and Wales.

 

[faithinkarma]

Originally posted by AlanUK
If the Canadians feel anything like the Scots or the Welsh do when they are referred to as English, then I would steer well clear of calling them American!

I believe many of us do feel exactly like that. Certainly we take gleeful pleasure when we hear of Americans travelling in Europe with a Canadian flag on their lapel because they believe Canadians are treated better than Americans are. Or when someone abroad identifies us immediately as Canadian, and say it is because we are so polite.

But truthfully, after having lived here for a couple of years, I have to say there is very little difference between us in a day to day living scenario.

Before living here I would have believed Canadians had more in common with Brits than with Americans.

 

[Goofyish]

I always imagine Canadians as like Americans, but with the volume turned down

 

[Tartan Tigger]

I never think of Canada as being part of America and would never call them Americans. Being from Scotland I get really annoyed when people assume I am English.

 

[UKDEB]

I consider America and Canada as two distinct countries. I have never considered Americans and Canadians as one, but neither do I consider one better than the other. I don't understand why Canadians would be treated better than Americans in Europe. I'm English, but I wouldn't be offended if I was mistaken for Welsh, Scottish, Irish or Australian. If I'm asked my country of residence, I will always reply 'UK', not England, and my nationality, 'British', not English. I'm proud to be a compatriot of the Welsh, Scottish and Irish.

 

[WDWfan uk]

I have never included Canada when referring to America, only USA, although I know North America geographically does refer to USA and Canada.

I find it is more likely that people outside the UK refer to Britain as England! Many is the time I see Americans refer to the "Queen of England" or England instead of Britain or UK. Like Debbie, I always say I'm from UK.

We visited Canada in 2002 - flew to the East, spent four nights in Toronto and then flew over to the West and toured from Calgary to Banff to Jasper to Vancouver then to Victoria. At no time did I feel I was in USA, and my family felt the same. You certainly have your own identity

 

[profdsny]

Interesting that there has been no mention of Mexico here. I always consider Mexico as part of North America. In trade terms, (NAFTA) it certainly is. I would think that there is no confusion between Mexico and the US when one speaks of 'America'. I'm not sure why then there is in regards to the US and Canada.
Actually, as it is, Mexico has 'states' also. Canada, as you likely all know, has provinces. Go figure.

 

[kazzie]

ITA with Deb.

I have always considered Canada and the US as not just different but distinctly different.

The Michael Moore 'Bowling For Columbine' documentary highlighted some of the negative differences for the US,two countries so close geographically but with a seemingly better/safer way of life in Canada.

 

[daipp]

This is something that always gets me going!!!

I've never been referred to as English when abroad because probably my Welsh accent is too strong. Even after living in Norfolk for six years my accent hasn't changed!

I will normally describe myself as British because that is what it says on my passport. If anyone wants more information I generally confuse them by saying I was born in Wales but now live in England. Personally, it wouldn't bother me describing myself as a European.

I often buy postcards on Ebay and quite often there will be, for example, a postcard of Cardiff in England. I will always let the seller know that this description is the same as saying Washington in Iraq - for some reason they are always grateful and promptly amend the description!

Finally, something to bear in mind; when I was in Florida a few weeks ago I discovered that Canada is actually larger in size than America. I decided to check this when I returned to the UK (note UK as opposed to England) - surprisingly it is!!

Perhaps the continent should be renamed Southern Canada as opposed to North America.

David.

 

[faithinkarma]

Finally, something to bear in mind; when I was in Florida a few weeks ago I discovered that Canada is actually larger in size than America. I decided to check this when I returned to the UK (note UK as opposed to England) - surprisingly it is!!

I doubt if many Americans are aware of ths fact.

 

[kazzie]

I didn't know that eiither,very interesting

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
Just to add my two penny worth one thing I am DEFINATELY NOT is a European...!!

Mick.

 

[pmcpmc]

to us as Europeans they are as correct as we belong geographically to the continent of Europe.

 

[daipp]

Originally posted by mickg7dyd
Hi,
Just to add my two penny worth one thing I am DEFINATELY NOT is a European...!!

Mick.

Not yet but fortunately, you soon will be.

Britain welcomes the Euro!!

 

[Dimplenose]

Although I'd be hard pushed to tell a Canadian from a US citizen I do think of them as from two very distinct countries. I feel that Britain has more in common with Canada due to our links to the Commonwealth.

Libby