Off Topic — HabitableZone

Off Topic » in reply to I'm indeed an Belgian but to be an american sounds like to be a european

You're right but you're wrong.
Eri — (archived)

It is generally understood in usage, I think, that American refers to U.S. Americans. It may not seem fair or correct; however, as the dominant country in this area which includes both the North and South American continents, that is how it has developed. Argentinians are not called Americans. Mexicans are not called Americans. Canadians are not called Americans. I have heard people referred to as North Americans, South Americans and Central Americans but those do not refer to any specific country; they are specific to the continents.

Yes, technically, we are all Americans since we are residents of one of the American continents; however, I think a Canadian or a Brazilian or a Mexican would likely be insulted to be called "American."

Well, on the other hand, it would depend on whether the Mexican was in the process of crossing the border illegally. Then they'd be tickled to be called Americans.

I personally have a problem with sub-units of US residents & citizens. IMO, we should not have Mexican-Americans, Latinos, German Americans, etc. If one wishes to belong to the U.S. and the U.S. has agreed, he/she is quite simply a fellow American who stands up and salutes the flag, cusses out politicians with whom he/she disagrees, and hopefully VOTES! If they DON'T vote, they're still Americans, just very bad ones who royally piss me off!

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