With the exception of New Zealand being part of Australia (they’re quite far apart, really) I’ve heard people make precisely those classifications in complete earnestness. Particularly the Egyptian=African argument.
Of course, the real stupidity in this discussion isn’t the geographical hairsplitting, it’s the idea that people were actually getting offended at not being called American. Fer fuck’s sake, how thin a skin can you have?
:smack: :smack: Well, one out of three ain’t bad. Just a typo on the last two. Kinda like when I try to write it. All the loops in a row just fuck me up.
I can now say I’ve heard it all. My poor American friends. They constantly try to assure me that not all Americans think of Canada as the gum on their shoe, and then someone like you comes along…
Agreed. I’m not trying to do any geographical hairsplitting. My intent was to point out the fallacy of arguing that anyone from N or S America could be considered American when “American” is recognized the world over as being from the USA.
Also, I know NZ is not Australia. But I was making the point that naming anyone as a native of a given country based only on what continent the country is in is weak, at best. Hence the Egyptian reference. Calling Egyptians “African” as well as those in say, Liberia grossly overlooks many differences. The same as calling residents of Mexico “American” overlooks more than a few differences.
BTW, I’m working on the assumption that NZ is part of the continent of Australia, not the country of Australia. Am I wrong on that?
Oh, also, I have no problem referring to residents of the US as Americans. In fact, I do it all the time. But it doesn’t take a huge leap to understand why some people would prefer not to in dicussions of USA/Canada relations. Use some rationality here, people.
I don’t deny that there is a lot of anti-American sentiment in Canada. But there are some qualifiers that I don’t think are parallel: I do think it is more a reflection of the current administration, it is in large part because of the attitudes you guys have of us and it’s mixed with a deep appreciation of the US, as well.
I personally don’t know of anyone where I live that doesn’t hold Canada in high regard. I guess both sides of the border can get caught up in the politics and forget there are many on each side either party can agree with. Such is life. Like France, I may loathe the administration and many Parisians, but I’ve come to acknowledge that many, many French are actually very much supportive of the US.
Damn SDMB, making me learn to examine my views and not just take a knee-jerk stance on everything. :mad:
But whatever else happens, my state is proud to share this with our Northern brothers and sisters.
Sorry, but I’m not seeing the point. Does anyone YOU know become confused by the term “Americans” when discussing US-Canada relations? Do you ever hear conversations that go like this?
SMITH: So the United States and Canada are having trade talks.
JONES: Oh, how is it going?
SMITH: Well, the Americans are looking for a better deal in the Auto Pact.
JONES: Americans? I’m confused. Which ones are the Americans?
SMITH: The folks from the United States.
JONES: Oh, you had me confused there, I’ve never heard that before.
SMITH: Sorry. So anyway, the Canadians wanted…
JONES: Wait… do you mean Canadians as in people from Canada, or as in the hockey team from Montreal?
I mean, give me a break.