How do Americans identify themselves?

[db2305]

A question for the Americans out there ( or people who have met any

Comments

[tisiphone]

I don't usually bring it up, but if asked I generally say "I'm American", then use the person's stated interest ("really? from where?") to narrow it down to Northeast, New Hampshire, Lebanon. This is inevitably followed by "Wow, do you know my aunt Elizabeth who lives in Manchester?" but I figure that's a risk one takes when one travels far enough that distances get fuzzy.

[db2305]

Okay, thanks!

[hwesta_of_troy]

^^ I second this. If they ask what part of America I am from, I would say the state, but usually just "I'm American".

[izzyferret]

Sweet, let's get together and have a little details party! :P

[trinityofone]

I'm an American living in Ireland. I don't usually introduce myself with country information, but it--pretty much always--comes up, and then I usually say that I'm from California. But I think this is really going to depend on the person, and the context of the conversation, and what issues the people involved might have with the United States right now. When my mom was over here visiting, she kept introducing herself as "a dissenting American," so...

[amireal]

I think it also depends on what state you're from. Places like California and New York (where I originally hail from and still think of myself as one) have a certain international knowledge about them. And you're far more likely to answer with those states than say... Michigan.

[trinityofone]

Agreed. *g* Although: on a semi-related but no less hilarious note, when I was in the local department store here in Dublin this morning, I was amused to see that among their selection of tank tops with U.S. place names on them--"Malibu," "Palm Beach," etc.--there was one that said "Rhode Island." If it's American, it must be cool! ;-)

[justjayj]

Ditto. In fact, when I first went to England I was there with two other girls. I'm a New Yorker; the second was from Oregon and the third from Indiana. When people asked where we were from, I said, "New York"; Oregonian said, "Above California"; and the Hoosier said, "I'm from in the middle."

[sageharper]

The ones I've met have just said which state they're from.

[db2305]

So they assumed you already knew they were American?

[sageharper]

Uh guess
I'm British and do that too, tend to assume that the accent is a give away.

[phoenixy]

Depends on your home state, probably, and on what you know of the background of the other person. If you're from someplace like New York, California, or Texas you might mention your state; otherwise, probably not, unless you know the other person is familiar with American geography. "I'm from the States" or "I'm from the US" are things I'd be mostly say; "I'm from America" is also reasonable. "I'm from the United States of America" is a little silly-sounding.

[db2305]

Okay, thanks!

[ratmmjess]

These days, I'd say I was Canadian. :-)

I always figure that people are going to know from my accent that I'm from the States. If asked, I'd say I'm from Boston.

These days, I'd say I was Canadian.

[ioianthe]

I was just going to say the same thing! :) (hi!)

Re: These days, I'd say I was Canadian.

[ratmmjess]

(Hey! Funny seeing you here. (-: )

Yeah, I've had enough tense moments in London because of my nationality that my reflex is to say, "I'm from Toronto." :-)

Re: These days, I'd say I was Canadian.

[dragonsblog]

Seriously? I'm leaving for London next week, will be there for two months. Should I be concerned? lol...

I doubt I could pass as anything other than American, great roaring southern accent would kinda give me away.