Kaffy Mintcake

It's a cultural difference. Not weird and stupid, just different. Many Americans (not my family generally, but we've been here over 200 years) identify strongly with the countries their ancestors came from.

Bob

In which case your still American, just having cultural heritage of country x,y or z and there's nothing wrong with that, but your not someone from country x,y or z...

Kaffy Mintcake

I think most Americans would say "I'm English" or fill in the country. They don't literally mean they are from England, but rather of English descent. That doesn't mean they're not American either. It's simply the case of living in a country where everyone (who is not Native American) came from an immigrant background. Many traditions have been passed down (to varying extents) and family history is often studied closely. My father is proud that he can trace our family back to the 1400's in one case, and you may have heard me say that I've recently learned that part of our family came from Giggleswick.

I have a good friend for instance, who would likely say she was Polish if asked within the right context. Is she literally from Poland? No. Does she have a keen interest in anything Polish? Absolutely. She has a very Polish last name, grew up in what's considered a Polish neighborhood in our hometown, eating Polish foods, and she has studied the language. To her credit, she went to Poland on her honeymoon. An odd destination perhaps, but important to her.

Steerpike

I'm with Kaffy on this one - I can't see why anyone would get upset or annoyed or frustrated with someone because they say they are 'from' somewhere! In the UK, you never even question where you are 'from' - your ancestors probably came from the same town, let alone country. It's so likely that it doesn't even bear thinking about. Over here, by comparison, EVERYONE is pretty much from a family that came from another country within the last two-thee hundred years, and it's a topic at the forefront of their minds. Understanding this seems essential to understanding how American's 'tick'. All you need to do is think of the word 'from' differently ... it doesn't mean, 'I personally was born there', it means, 'I have a cultural tie to that country'. 'From' is a pretty vague word anyway

One more thing - even if people in England are 'from' somewhere else (using the more literal interpretation), they would probably want to hide it because it is not socially 'acceptable' to be 'from' somewhere else ... I remember some relatives of mine were 'from' Ireland; I believe they came to England during the famine. This was a fact spoken of in hushed tones, as if they had leprosy or something.

20masonroad

Oh so interesting.... I'm married to an American lady, who is of Irish decent, they researched and written a book about their journey from Ireland to Kansas, yet they are Americans.....From Irish stock.....Can't people just leave it here. Every St Patricks day, I am laughing my a** off at how many "Irish" suddenly walk the streets....I'm from Irish stock myself, yet born and raised in England, I consider myself English, but with a affinity with Ireland. Yes, I do say I'm "from Irish stock" but I don't push it.
I just think most, if not all Americans hang on to their heritage because there is little else to peg your flag onto here.....Be proud of where you come from....
It's like saying "African/American" NO, they are American.... The same as Irish/American, your American.....Ditto the rest of them, unless your born in Poland, Italy, China, Russia..........YOUR AMERICAN! Accept it

Chaunticleer

Totally. I hate it when these neanderthals don't instantly understand and appreciate humour that's specific to my family and culture. I was born in a country that's produced some of the wittiest men and women the world has ever seen, so naturally I too am blessed with a brilliant sense of humour. So it can't be that my jokes are simply not funny, as that's not physically possible. It's just these idiots who don't get it.

notacrime

Awesome.

notacrime

Haha, still laughing.

That's my favorite post in weeks.

Triumphrob

Try 23. It really sucks!

surly

I think they do accept it, in fact most are very proud being American.
Kaffy explained it very well.
Anyway as far as who has to except what, you're the one that needs to accept it, because that's the way it is here.

meauxna

It's not claiming nationality. It's identifying cultural heritage & is quite common here. Considering the history of the country, not all that surprising, either.

20masonroad

Just get over it people......I do except the way it is here, I live here and abide by the laws of this land........It's almost comical, the way some "Americans" believe that hanging on to some distant ancestral home land is the key to a great life....Make your own, as they did back in the day!

meauxna

I think you still misunderstand.. how did you make the leap from cultural identification to 'the key to a great life'?
It's like identifying myself as curly haired, or brown eyed (which obviously DO make up the key to a great life btw). Just part of who they feel they are.

Jerseygirl

Rubbish...everyone knows blondes have more fun.

20masonroad

10-4