# Do any South Americans identify themselves as "Americans" when traveling internationally? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 19, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664 "2013-08-19T21:39:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/21 "2013-08-20T16:03:59Z")
Peruvian here, i don’t see the point in identifying yourself by the continent you live in. United statesian sounds retarded so i am fine with you gringos calling yourselves americans. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/22 "2013-08-20T16:28:55Z")
As has been mentioned, citizens of the USA don’t really have another word. What nationality are you? I am a USA’er? I am a United States’er? Every other country in North, Middle and South America has a real country name that is more easily said and understood. Are they from “the Americas”? Sure. But if I asked someone where they are from/what nationality are you - and they said they are “European” or “African” or “Asian” or “Arabic”, I would look at them like they were insane. The only exception I can think of might be someone who says, “I am British” as a cover-all - but even then, you usually get, “I am English/Welsh/Scottish…” ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/23 "2013-08-20T17:36:57Z")
> [@Greg\_Charles](#): > > It could be viewed as arrogance when people from the US call themselves Americans, but really the problem is there’s no other demonym for it. (Yes, I had to look up demonym.) There’s not another country I can think of in the Americas where that’s true, but other countries do have the same problem. What do people from the United Arab Emirates call themselves, or people from the Central African Republic? Emirati. Although I believe that usually refers to citizens(?), not the 87%(!) who are non-citizens. And Wikipedia says “Central African.” Presumably, most say “Centrafricain” or “Centrafricain” because they speak French. (There’s a demonym box on the right) People from either Congo are Congolese, although IME the DRC aka Congo-Kinshasa aka ex-Zaire aka the bloodier one is what’s usually meant. ---
**Author:** ![grama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@grama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grama)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/24 "2013-08-20T18:08:12Z")
It’s just a difference in how the terms america and american ‘evolved’ in english and south american spanish, so refering herself as ‘american’ is stupid and ignorant imho. That said, since ‘america’ is seen as one continent here, a lot of people feel its use as a missappropiation by people,in the US. An analogy would be for example if france changed its name to ‘french states of europe’, and started using ‘europe’ and ‘european’ instead of france and french. Even if no one wants to refer themselves as ‘european’ it could make some people upset and perceived as arrogant. Silly thing to get upset about. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/25 "2013-08-20T22:35:10Z")
Actually, we have a situation currently where someone could say that Cyprus is part of Europe and Turkey wants to be, but Sweden and Switzerland are not. it’s not uncommon for _Europe_ to be used as a synonym for _the European Union_, as well as for the name of the continent. If the EU ever becomes a sovereign state, then the situation will be even more analogous, since the demonym for a citizen/resident of the EU will undoubtedly be “European.” ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/26 "2013-08-20T23:07:18Z")
Sweden? They are certainly a member of the EU, they’re just not Eurozone. Norway is neither. I’m only European in my bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/27 "2013-08-20T23:28:10Z")
I was once lectured by a group of Mexicans (in Mexico, naturally) for saying that the payphone wasn’t letting me call America. “You ARE in America,” they mockingly declared. Way to be pedantic, assclowns. You know what I meant! ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/28 "2013-08-21T00:10:41Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Sweden? They are certainly a member of the EU, they’re just not Eurozone. Norway is neither. > > I’m only European in my bathroom. Dammit! I was looking at an unlabeled map, but still, I should have known better! ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/29 "2013-08-21T00:31:51Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > I was once lectured by a group of Mexicans (in Mexico, naturally) for saying that the payphone wasn’t letting me call America. “You ARE in America,” they mockingly declared. > > Way to be pedantic, assclowns. You know what I meant! I would point out that while most non-USian Americans are perfectly happy to call you Americans, virtually none routinely refer to the US as “America.” In noun form, your country is always “the US” or “the States,” at least here in Canada. “America” refers to the continent, not the country. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/30 "2013-08-21T00:47:06Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > I would point out that while most non-USian Americans are perfectly happy to call you Americans, virtually none routinely refer to the US as “America.” In noun form, your country is always “the US” or “the States,” at least here in Canada. “America” refers to the continent, not the country. When traveling in Mexico, however, you wouldn’t want to say you’re from the United States (Estados Unidos) – the country you’re traveling in is officially the Estados Unidos Mexicanos (“United Mexican States”), so they are just as much the United States as we are. I wimp out and call myself a norteamericano. My dad was Canadian, so I figure I’m covered 😉 ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/31 "2013-08-21T02:24:09Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > Dammit! I was looking at an unlabeled map, but still, I should have known better! At least you didn’t say that the FrancoItaloRomanshGerman banking country of Sweden is definitely not a member of the EU, like so many people end up doing! [quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:30, topic:666664”] When traveling in Mexico, however, you wouldn’t want to say you’re from the United States (Estados Unidos) – the country you’re traveling in is officially the Estados Unidos Mexicanos (“United Mexican States”), so they are just as much the United States as we are. I wimp out and call myself a norteamericano. My dad was Canadian, so I figure I’m covered 😉 [/QUOTE] If their President had his way, [that would no longer be an issue](http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/11/26/mexico-seeks-to-change-name-to-mexico/). I don’t know if anything will come of that, though. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/32 "2013-08-21T04:31:55Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > Part of the problem is that in Spanish-speaking countries, children are taught that there are six continents: Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, Antarctica, and _America_. In the US, children are taught that North America and South America are separate continents. Wikipedia [backs me up](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continent) on this, though it claims that America was considered a single continent in the US until WWII. This was not my experience - my schooling years began in Lima, Perú. Followed by Barcelona and then Bogotá, Colombia. When we moved to Toronto, Canada and I entered grade six, I was fully aware that there are seven continents, and that South and North America are two of the seven. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/33 "2013-08-21T05:54:21Z")
What _do_ those like the OP’s article’s ambusher think Americans should be called, then? Do they _actually_ like “United Statesian,” like the article says? Do they not realize how ridiculous it sounds? For that matter, how widespread is the apparent insistence that there are no such things as North and South America as separate entities? Some posts above touch on it, but only briefly. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/34 "2013-08-21T06:00:23Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > Part of the problem is that in Spanish-speaking countries, children are taught that there are six continents: Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, Antarctica, and _America_. I was taught five “parts of the world”: Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania (not Australia!) and America. When we split America into bits, it was four: South, Central, North and Caribbean Islands. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/35 "2013-08-21T06:29:03Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > A) They’re being tendentious. > > B) They’re genuinely ignorant of the difference between “_americano_” and “American.” Granted, that’s possible. But using “American/_americano_” to denote anyone from the freakin’ _Western Hemisphere_??? Come on! The Americas (however you categorize them) are a pretty big place. You gotta be a _bit_ more specific than that! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/36 "2013-08-21T06:59:56Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > I would point out that while most non-USian Americans are perfectly happy to call you Americans, virtually none routinely refer to the US as “America.” In noun form, your country is always “the US” or “the States,” at least here in Canada. “America” refers to the continent, not the country. I thought that the continent that contained “The United States of America” was called \*North \*America. ---
**Author:** ![runningdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@runningdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runningdude)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/37 "2013-08-21T07:00:58Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > … > Given this difference, it makes sense that folks from Latin America might think it odd that they cannot refer to themselves as Americans in the same way that Africans, Europeans, and Asians refer to themselves and are referred to by other as such, while folks from the US and Canada might wonder why they don’t refer to themselves a South Americans using the same analogy. I think (US) Americans project the lack of identifying with their continent onto others. For instance, the first time I heard Egyptians referred to a Africans, I was really confused. Similarly, we sometimes forget that Europe extends all the way into Russia. We tend to identify more with the Iron Curtain as the cultural boundary than the theoretic continental divide (and we simply ignore the Asian ethnic groups living in that part Russia altogether!). ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/38 "2013-08-21T08:23:30Z")
> [@runningdude](#): > > I think (US) Americans project the lack of identifying with their continent onto others. For instance, the first time I heard Egyptians referred to a Africans, I was really confused. Similarly, we sometimes forget that Europe extends all the way into Russia. We tend to identify more with the Iron Curtain as the cultural boundary than the theoretic continental divide (and we simply ignore the Asian ethnic groups living in that part Russia altogether!). Referring to “North Africa” as an extension of the Middle East vs. “Sub-Saharan Africa” is fairly common in many places. This at least partially divides by race, although not always, e.g. Mauritania. Although Russia as part of Europe and not Asia did always seem artificial to me. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/39 "2013-08-21T08:50:27Z")
> [@runningdude](#): > > I think (US) Americans project the lack of identifying with their continent onto others. For instance, the first time I heard Egyptians referred to a Africans, I was really confused. Similarly, we sometimes forget that Europe extends all the way into Russia. We tend to identify more with the Iron Curtain as the cultural boundary than the theoretic continental divide (and we simply ignore the Asian ethnic groups living in that part Russia altogether!). In that case, to know that part of \*Kazakhstan \*is in _Europe_ might really blow your gourd! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664/40 "2013-08-21T09:29:25Z")
> [@runningdude](#): > > I think (US) Americans project the lack of identifying with their continent onto others. For instance, the first time I heard Egyptians referred to a Africans, I was really confused. That’s partly got to do with calling Blacks “African-Americans”; whether intentionally or not, it causes a mental identity between “black” and “african”, leaving out quite a few million people all over the continent. I had a project involving, among others, a factory from South Africa, and the American consultants almost fainted when the ZA contingent walked in (about 1/3 were what’s called “colored” in ZA). **thelurkinghorror** , Russia is part of both. Continents are a physical geography concept, not a cultural or political one: the Urals make a nifty “line in the map”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-south-americans-identify-themselves-as-americans-when-traveling-internationally/666664.md?page=3)