Quoting:
I see nothing wrong with calling myself an American. I do, afterall, live in the United States of America. While it is true that the people of Mexico, Canada, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, etc. all reside on the American continent, none of those countries have the word America in their names. Like Fuss said, when someone says "American" no one thinks reference is being made to a Panamanian.
End Quote

Well said, Lester

BTW...love the avatar. ;D

Quoting:
I see nothing wrong with calling myself an American. I do, afterall, live in the United States of America. While it is true that the people of Mexico, Canada, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, etc. all reside on the American continent, none of those countries have the word America in their names. Like Fuss said, when someone says "American" no one thinks reference is being made to a Panamanian.
End Quote

Hi Wicked Lester, :)

Yes, u see nothing wrong with calling yourself "American" but
that could be because you were born in the USA n in there people conceptualized that an "american" is someone who lives in the United States of America.  :)

But maybe u should consider that "the citizens of the USA" have sorta taken over that term of "America".:) Hey, I'm not judging if that is good or bad I'm just sayin how I see it as an outsider. And it is a reality that u have taken over the word...believ it or not...

And u know why people don't associate South American to the term Americans? Well, in my opinion:1) USA is a world superpower 2)South America isn't.

But, what I really don't understand is how come Canadians are kinda left out often when people refer to "Americans",  ... Could it be coz most broadcasted polititians n other media people are from the USA???!!! So, they can afford creating a reality where America is just a bit of the continent, that small place between Canada and South America,

... but, then...if "America" is the USA and Canada n South America aren't, how do u place that USA-AMERICA on the map? ??? :) :D ;D

Delia

Quoting:



BTW...love the avatar. ;D
End Quote

Thanks!!!

Quoting: I do like your idea of "Statespeople" or how about U.S.ers?  ;)
Cat
End Quote

Did you say USers, Cat ?  :o :o :o

That wouldn't be a good rep to have !  :P

Quoting:

And u know why people don't associate South American to the term Americans? Well, in my opinion:1) USA is a world superpower 2)South America isn't.

Delia

End Quote

Hello Delia (lovely name, BTW :))

This is just my opinion on the subject, but I think we are called Americans because our country is called the United States of America.  South America is a continent, not a country.  The others on these two continents are Canadians, Mexicans, Columbians etc.  That is how I have always looked at it anyway.  

Quoting:


Did you say USers, Cat ?  :o :o :o

That wouldn't be a good rep to have !  :P
End Quote

lol  Good point.



Cat

Quoting:
Of course there is "Statesider" for American…
End Quote

I think Statesider sounds cool, kinda like a biker gang.

Quoting:

This is just my opinion on the subject, but I think we are called Americans because our country is called the United States of America.  South America is a continent, not a country.  The others on these two continents are Canadians, Mexicans, Columbians etc.  That is how I have always looked at it anyway.  
End Quote

Dag, you couldn't have explained it any better! ;)  You rock :-*

Quoting:



Hi Wicked Lester, :)

Yes, u see nothing wrong with calling yourself "American" but
that could be because you were born in the USA n in there people conceptualized that an "american" is someone who lives in the United States of America.  :)

But maybe u should consider that "the citizens of the USA" have sorta taken over that term of "America".:) Hey, I'm not judging if that is good or bad I'm just sayin how I see it as an outsider. And it is a reality that u have taken over the word...believ it or not...

And u know why people don't associate South American to the term Americans? Well, in my opinion:1) USA is a world superpower 2)South America isn't.

But, what I really don't understand is how come Canadians are kinda left out often when people refer to "Americans",  ... Could it be coz most broadcasted polititians n other media people are from the USA???!!! So, they can afford creating a reality where America is just a bit of the continent, that small place between Canada and South America,

... but, then...if "America" is the USA and Canada n South America aren't, how do u place that USA-AMERICA on the map? ??? :) :D ;D

Delia



End Quote

Hi Delia :)

I think dagwood summed up my thoughts pretty well... we are called Americans because that is part of the name of our country. In addition, I think part of the reason why we are called Americans is that it is easier than coming up with something else! ;D

Quoting:


Dag, you couldn't have explained it any better! ;)  You rock :-*
End Quote

Yeah Dag, Way to go!  :)

Quoting:
In South America and in the Caribbean, people who speak Spanish also call Americans "Americanos" or "Gringos".  :)
End Quote

Maybe in the parts that I did not visit, but the few places I've been in Central and South America, estadounidenses (thanks, Crazy Don ;) ) go by names like "Yankee," "güeros/güeras" (blondes), "gavachos/gavachas," and "gringo/gringa" among other nicks. I don't recall them ever being called "Americanos." Maybe "Norteamericanos," but that name also applies to people from Canada and Mexico...

One thing to point out though is that I have not being back there since 1990, so things change over time and language shifts through Americanisms from television programmes.

Quoting:
Oh for crying out loud!!!!

Just call me human and leave it at that, ok?   ;D :D ;)



Anything more specific is just too politically incorrect for me, dahling.
End Quote

Cool.  When I was called up for the draft, and had to fill out my "paperwork", they asked "race" and I did put "human" (I was a smart @$$ back then too. ;D)  I also filled in the answer sheet to the "intelligence test" without reading the questions, just filled in the bubbles - I passed with flying colors ;)  ::)  ???

Quoting:U.S.ians...End Quote

What the hell is that? :P ::) Don't answer that. Really.

Quoting:...call themselves Americans out of sheer arrogance...End Quote

Who in the hell do you think you are?

You call me arrogant because I call myself an American.

That is exactly what you said and there's no "sugar-coating" that.

Such insolence.

I pity you.

Quoting:
I pity you.
End Quote

I pity the fool too!  ;D  

DC, I enjoy reading your posts, I really do, but come on man....do you truly believe that or are you just talking out of your, uh, um, your ear? ::)

Quoting:
Maybe in the parts that I did not visit, but the few places I've been in...End Quote

Perhaps not in the few places you've visited.

I have traveled quite extensively since the 70's and the term "Americanos" is a term that is alive and well, even today.  :)

Quoting:


Dag, you couldn't have explained it any better! ;)  You rock :-*
End Quote

Thanks 8)  And your new avatar definately rocks. ;D

Quoting:
I am an arrogant warmongering gas guzzling right wing flag waving fool. End Quote

Shaz, you rule!  This is my new mantra! ;D

Quoting:
By the way, I hope Chicago wins the world series. I really want an end to the draught.
End Quote

Dang skippy! :D

Quoting:
Did you know that Ben Franklin wanted to call the country "Columbia" but by the time he made his case the name was already taken?  
End Quote

Hey, did you all know that Ben Franklin also wanted our National bird to be the TURKEY?  :D ;D  STRUTH!

Quoting:
Just as you folks have difficulty recognizing the racism that permeates your society, you can't recognize the fact that people who live in other nations in the Americas see you as arrogant for appropriating the name of the entire hemisphere as your own.  End Quote

Gee, guess you haven't looked at a map lately.  See, part of the UK is in the Western Hemisphere and some African countries.  Oh, and also Portugal, Greenland, Iceland, etc.  Let's not even start listing the Northern Hemisphere, I'll be here all night.  Which hemisphere are you talking about?  

Quoting:Sorry you find that so offensive, but answer me this:  When you go abroad, to Mexico, or where ever you go, you expect people to speak, or at least understand English (as long as you speak it sloooowly enough) but refuse to learn the languages of those who visit here?  End Quote

???????  English is the most common used language in the world (meaning the native tongue of most countries.)  If I went to live in a different country, I would be expected to learn the native tongue of that country.  Why is it so "unreasonable" for us English-speaking folk to expect the same of people who come to live in our country?  Sorry YOU find that so offensive.  So sue us!  If we are such an arrogant country and everything sucks, you are free to leave.

Quoting:



Hey, did you all know that Ben Franklin also wanted our National bird to be the TURKEY?  :D ;D  STRUTH!
End Quote

Yes, he is reported to have said it was "a true and loyal bird, native to our country".  And, I'm told, Jefferson wanted the dove, although that is hear say.   Franklin also said the eagle was a scavanger and a coward. :o

Quoting:

???????  English is the most common used language in the world (meaning the native tongue of most countries.)  If I went to live in a different country, I would be expected to learn the native tongue of that country.  Why is it so "unreasonable" for us English-speaking folk to expect the same of people who come to live in our country?  Sorry YOU find that so offensive.  So sue us!  If we are such an arrogant country and everything sucks, you are free to leave.

End Quote

Actually, English is NOT the most widely spoken NATIVE language.  I think its Chinese (if you combine all the dialects) in terms of population.  More COUNTRIES speak Spanish than any other language.
It is not unreasonable to expect people who move to the states to learn English.  It is unreasonable to expect visitors to do so, just as it is for us to expect them to speak english when we visit their countries.
I have no intention of leaving.  I do have the intention of initiating change, for which I have been working since the first time I was called a spic.  So lets drop the "love it or leave it" bull dung.

Quoting:


Perhaps not in the few places you've visited.

I have traveled quite extensively since the 70's and the term "Americanos" is a term that is alive and well, even today.  :)
End Quote

Not in Central America, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Maybe Mexico, Puerto Rico (and that's a US territory, so it's only natural that they might refer to gringos as "Americanos"), and Belize (that's an English-speaking country anyway) as well as other smaller countries in South America.

To-day it might be different though... because of television imported to those countries.

Quoting:

Hiya every1, :)

Well, I just wanna say that Don Carlos is right. No, 80s cheerleader, English is not the 1st NATIVE most common language, Chinese goes first n Spanish is the second BUT if what u meant was that English was the most commonly used language (specially on international trade operation and other ways of communication bteween people from different nationalities who speak different language) then I would have agreed with you ::)

Well, I suppose that u being American and calling yourself "80s cheerleader" one can quite expect answers like the ones u give. Probably your country has already brainwashed u to believe that your country is n has the best stuff...Shame. Political thoughts shouldn't control education. :(

Delia
End Quote

Wow, that is a pretty huge generalization. :o  BTW you haven't had the chance to get to know 80s Cheerleader yet, she is one of the most intelligent and nicest people here. I would save judgement until you have given someone a chance. She said that if she went to live in other countries she would expect to learn their language, as would I.  ;)

Quoting:
Well, I suppose that u being American and calling yourself "80s cheerleader" one can quite expect answers like the ones u give...

Delia
End Quote

:o That's not very nice.

Quoting:

Well, I suppose that u being American and calling yourself "80s cheerleader" one can quite expect answers like the ones u give. Probably your country has already brainwashed u to believe that your country is n has the best stuff...Shame. Political thoughts shouldn't control education. :(

Delia
End Quote

Well, I thought some of the other posts on here were ignorant, but you just topped them all.  >:(  

Quoting:


Actually, English is NOT the most widely spoken NATIVE language.  I think its Chinese (if you combine all the dialects) in terms of population.  More COUNTRIES speak Spanish than any other language.End Quote

Sorry, have to disagree.( and apologize for stating Native when I meant official)   Every listing I've found has more English as the official language countries listed than Spanish.  (an average of 35 English to 20 Spanish)  I agree, Mandarin is the most widely spoken language, but English is the most common "Official or co-official" language as well as the second most common spoken language. One listing that proves this is  http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0855611.html  I can list a few more, if you'd like.  If you have something that proves otherwise, please let me know.  

Quoting:
It is not unreasonable to expect people who move to the states to learn English.  It is unreasonable to expect visitors to do so, just as it is for us to expect them to speak english when we visit their countries.End Quote

Quoting:When you go abroad, to Mexico, or where ever you go, you expect people to speak, or at least understand English (as long as you speak it sloooowly enough) but refuse to learn the languages of those who visit here?   End Quote

Why is this an issue exclusive to the US?  Wouldn't this hold true no matter where you are or what language you speak?  If it is unreasonable for visitors to OUR country to learn English, why is it reasonable for us to learn their language when we visit THEIR country?  Sounds like a double-standard to me. ::)

Quoting:


Well, I suppose that u being American and calling yourself "80s cheerleader" one can quite expect answers like the ones u give. Probably your country has already brainwashed u to believe that your country is n has the best stuff...Shame. Political thoughts shouldn't control education.
End Quote

Yeah, I was a cheerleader, but that by no means implies that I was or am stupid.  I graduated with a 4.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale, was offered merit-based scholarships to every college I applied to, and was accepted into every college I applied to.  And, yeah, I do love my country.  I'm sure you do too.  Does that mean that you were brainwashed into it?  Don't think so.

Maybe you should read the Forum Guidelines before you post again.

Quoting:
And well, I think it isn't nice either that people goes calling other people ignorant (that is for you, Princessofpop) just for I expressed my opinion openly. If it looks so ignorant to you just say why. People talk n discuss points of views but  going saying "ur statement was ignorant" whatosever n not saying why that's is not a convincing argument. :(  
End Quote

;D  Ha Ha....funny!  Why?  Why did I think that statement was "ignorant"?  Because it was.  And as for explaining myself, what's there to explain?  Ignorant is ignorant.  Sorry, but that is just "my opinion".  ;)

Quoting:
And maybe if I thought of cheerleaders in stereotypical terms is because that's what is always being showed on the media that the USA broadcasts... Ok, there may be clever ones, of course. Maybe there r more than people stereotipically assume, Anyway, I can't tell, but the thing is most people think they aren't (at least outside the USA)... ::)

Anyway,I apologize about my comment. I shouldn't have assumed sterotypes but as I've already told u what led me to make such a precipitated comment. Got nothing against either cheerleaders or Americans. :)

Delia
End Quote

Ah, so you believe everything you see on a medium meant for entertainment to be true in reality?

Quoting:
Just, as a word of advice, try not to judge people based on their "screennames" as you never know what they are like in real life.  End Quote

Wait.......does this mean I'm NOT a REAL princess?  ::) :P

Quoting:


Wait.......does this mean I'm NOT a REAL princess?  ::) :P

End Quote

;D Wonder what people think of me if they just go by my screen name? I hate to think..... :(

Quoting:
I can at least say that the good Dr. Benton Quest, his son Jonny and young Hadji and I travel about on many misadventures, we did lose the dog Bandit a couple of years ago in a terrible fondue accident. ;)
End Quote

Are you sure it wasn't the roast that did him in?

Quoting:


Are you sure it wasn't the roast that did him in?
End Quote

S'hh- That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Quoting:
Hey Delia, what kind of hat do you wear?
End Quote

LOL! ;D  

Quoting:
Hey Delia, what kind of hat do you wear?
End Quote

Judging by the posts I would say the same one Don Carlos wears.  ;D Oops, did I generalize? Maybe I got it from something I saw in the media........ ::)

Quoting:Maybe Mexico, Puerto Rico (and that's a US territory, so it's only natural that they might refer to gringos as "Americanos"), and Belize (that's an English-speaking country anyway) as well as other smaller countries in South America.End Quote

TB, stop arguing with me. We have enough of that here as it is. Thank you very much.

Quoting:
Well, I suppose that u being American and calling yourself "80s cheerleader" one can quite expect answers like the ones u give.

Delia
End Quote

Delia, we do not tolerate personal insults in these forums.

You may express your opinions here, but you must follow the Forum Guidelines. Read and learn them if you wish to continue posting in these forums:

http://www.inthe80s.com/rules.shtml

Quoting:


;D Wonder what people think of me if they just go by my screen name? I hate to think..... :(
End Quote

I know that some people here were surprised to find out I am a girl based on my screen name. ;D

Quoting:


I know that some people here were surprised to find out I am a girl based on my screen name. ;D
End Quote

...and a pretty cool one if I do say so myself. ;) :D

Quoting:


I know that some people here were surprised to find out I am a girl based on my screen name. ;D
End Quote

What's in a name? A Dagwood by any other name would be as cool..... :D

Quoting:


TB, stop arguing with me. We have enough of that here as it is. Thank you very much.
End Quote

::) Oooo-kay.

Haha. I knew Chinese and English were first and second, but India is THIRD?! Yes, ladies and germs, Spanish is the FOURTH most spoken language in the world. Spanish used to be third, but human population grows exponentially and so Spanish used to be number three many years ago (I think 20... I think! From reading an old, world almanac).

Spanish is FOURTH? According to this site: Yeah. But we still beat the French!

Quoting:
My two cents, based on what I've read and what I've heard, and also what I've experienced:

Yep, Chinese (particularly the Mandarin and Cantonese dialects) is the language most spoken in the world.  Of course it is, there are two billion of us Chinamen scattered around the world
End Quote

Our parents used to tell us the reason they had only three kids was because one out of every four people in the world is Chinese...  http://www.clicksmilie.de/sammlung/cool/cool-smiley-027.gif  Ducks, covers and runs...http://www.clicksmilie.de/sammlung/sport/sport-smiley-006.gif

Quoting:
Hey Delia, what kind of hat do you wear?
End Quote

:) :D ;D

Those hats are all the rage if you're fighting foreign wars. The US army has a group of guys that wear green ones 8) John Wayne wore a funny hat and he was dang proud of it! I like black or red myself. I think they would look quite fashionable on me as I snuff and pillage everything to the left and everything to the right. Hell yeah, gotta git dat oil home! US citizens are depending on this 8)

Quoting:


Our parents used to tell us the reason they had only three kids was because one out of every four people in the world is Chinese...  http://www.clicksmilie.de/sammlung/cool/cool-smiley-027.gif  Ducks, covers and runs...http://www.clicksmilie.de/sammlung/sport/sport-smiley-006.gif

End Quote

...and that's flied lice, you plick ;) :D

Quoting:


:) :D ;D

Those hats are all the rage if you're fighting foreign wars. The US army has a group of guys that wear green ones 8) John Wayne wore a funny hat and he was damn proud of it! I like black or red myself. I think they would look quite fashionable on me as I snuff and rape and pillage everything to the left and everything to the right. Hell yeah, gotta git dat oil home! US citizens are depending on this 8)
End Quote

I wear a blue one :)  Sometimes I wear a purple one.  I can't wait to get my hands on that sweet oil either 8)

Quoting:


I wear a blue one :)  Sometimes I wear a purple one.  I can't wait to get my hands on that sweet oil either 8)
End Quote

That's the spirit!

Quoting:
 I can't wait to get my hands on that sweet oil either 8)
End Quote

Then you can move to Beverly Hills ;D

Quoting:


That's the spirit!
End Quote

U-S-A, repre-SENT!  Can I get a "WHAAAT?!  WHAAAT!?"

:D 8)

U-S-A!!
U-S-A!!

Quoting:


Then you can move to Beverly Hills ;D
End Quote

Swimming pools, movie stars.  ;)



Cat

Quoting:
Tarzan Boy will look mighty sporty in one of them fancy oilskin caps. ;D
End Quote

Wearing one of those in Costa Rica, I'll be known by the locals as "El Americano" and I'll like it 8)

Quoting:
Do u get in the USA a compulsory foreign language to study at school? When I was a kid I think u did but I'm not sure about how situation is right now? Any USer can answer?  :)
End Quote

Hello Delia :)

Actually, I think it depends on school district, but there is a compulsory requirement in my high school district to have at least 2 years of a foreign language.  Part of that is because the state university system requires you to know a foreign language.  It's logical and practical for everyone to learn a second or even a third language (I'm relatively fluent in Chinese and French, but my main language is English) but as a whole, Americans are lazy (tee hee) so they have to force us to take the language :D  

I took six years of French, but in retrospect, I probably should have learned Spanish or German ;)

Quoting:
But anyway, I wanna post a new question: Do u get in the USA a compulsory foreign language to study at school? When I was a kid I think u did but I'm not sure about how situation is right now? Any USer can answer?  :)
End Quote

I am surprised at the number of people I have spoken to over the years who only had compulsory foreign language studies in high school. In the Ohio school system I grew up with a foreign language was compulsory in grade school: 5th-8th grades. French was available in half the schools and Spanish in the other half. In high school of course both languages were available (as well as Latin) and you could continue if you wished, but it was not compulsory. I took French for 7 years plus one year in college.