There goes those damned Mercans, again

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

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The Sticks, Northeast PA.
infoman asking for a UK forum site reminded me that we , "Mercans" are a nationality. I don't believe most of us understand that. Years ago I got to go to the UK and France. One of the things that blew me away was everybody knew we were Americans. We weren't dress any differently. And it's not like we were carrying around a huge neon sign, or we had US flags on our clothing. My friend and I would walk into a pub, and everybody knew we we Americans. How???? We never opened our mouths. In the UK, they drive on the wrong:) side of the road. We would walk to curb and immediately people would be watching us so that we didn't step into traffic, (which for us is a real easy thing to do). How did they know? Here in the US, yeah, we know were Americans, DUH!, but it's so strange when other people just know you're an American. Is it me, but I never thought of me being a nationality like the French, Germans, Brits, etc.
 

Interesting fur. I think of myself as a Canadian, but that nationality includes any born on my home soil, and all those immigrants who enrich our multicultural land. I hope we can ultimately be defined as a set of ideals which are more Canadian than any ethnicity could ever be. Kinda post nationalist dream.
 
Shalimar said:
Interesting fur. I think of myself as a Canadian, but that nationality includes any born on my home soil, and all those immigrants who enrich our multicultural land. I hope we can ultimately be defined as a set of ideals which are more Canadian than any ethnicity could ever be. Kinda post nationalist dream.
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I think you guys are pretty much there already. I wish Canadianism was a disease. I live right next door.
 
Nationality? NATIONality Of course we are a NATIONality by the very word... America is a NATION... so therefore American is a nationality.... People often confuse nationality with descent.. I am American by nationality..... I am German by descent.
 
There might be subtleties in the dress and carriage of Americans, different slightly from people in other countries which we notice but you may not, Fuzz. My ex was from New England and he certainly was adept at the New England swagger.
 
I think I can understand that.... People from other countries have a different look..... it's VERY subtle... and hard to explain... but think about it.
 
I can pick fellow Aussies overseas very easily. One characteristic is that we tend to lean on things rather than stand upright. Another giveaway are the shorts that we call stubbies. Saying "Thanks mate" rather than leaving a tip is a sure sign that someone is from OZ.

 
SifuPhil said:
Agree with the subtle signs - we can't see it in ourselves but other can.
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I seem to be able to pick out Eastern Europeans even before they open their mouths... It's a bit harder with the Brits.. they are more like us... But there is something that just looks different.. and not sure what that is... but it's there..
 
fuzzybuddy said:
infoman asking for a UK forum site reminded me that we , "Mercans" are a nationality. I don't believe most of us understand that. Years ago I got to go to the UK and France. One of the things that blew me away was everybody knew we were Americans. We weren't dress any differently. And it's not like we were carrying around a huge neon sign, or we had US flags on our clothing. My friend and I would walk into a pub, and everybody knew we we Americans. How???? We never opened our mouths. In the UK, they drive on the wrong:) side of the road. We would walk to curb and immediately people would be watching us so that we didn't step into traffic, (which for us is a real easy thing to do). How did they know? Here in the US, yeah, we know were Americans, DUH!, but it's so strange when other people just know you're an American. Is it me, but I never thought of me being a nationality like the French, Germans, Brits, etc.
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Of course American is a nationality! What else would it be?

We were stationed in Germany for a long time (nearly 9 years -- I loved every minute of it). At first, people had me pegged as an American right away. After we had been there a while, not so much. There is a subtle difference in dress and carriage, for one thing. And of course, when I was first there, I'm sure I had that wide-eyed "touristy" look whenever I was out and about -- not to mention looking uncertain when trying to figure things (like the money, the streetcars, etc., etc.) out.
 
Facial subtleties are a 'tell' as well. This may sound presumptuous but I can usually 'tell' if a person is an English speaker, or is a "non" English speaker, by the way their face presents.
 
Fuzzy, it's a bit annoying when you say 'drive on the wrong side of the road'. It's the other side.

Americans are the only ones who wear 'fanny packs'. Actually called bum bags in the UK although no one uses them. A fanny is a ladies bits.

I used to be good at picking out Americans as they wear baseball caps and jeans. But everybody wears those now.

I could get bashed but yes the loud American stereotype is true.
 
Shalimar said:
Forgot to mention,oversees sometimes people thought I was American, other occasions Canadian.
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I'm often asked if I'm Canadian. And I've been told some hesitate to ask someone if they are American because if they are Canadian they might get angry.
 
Umm. Ameriscot, sadly that is true. Some Canucks are sensitive around being perceived as Americans while traveling abroad. Many wear maple leaf pins. The reasoning behind this is simple. In many cases, There is a certain hostility displayed towards

Americans in some countries overseas. Canadians tend to be treated better. Conversely , while on our travels, we are sometimes treated as if Canada is a suburb of the United States. No matter how much we may love our southern neighbour, it is tedious to have our sovereignty

ignored, or maligned. When I was in Holland, once they knew I was a Canuck, they treated me like a queen. They still remember the Canadians liberating starving Holland in World War two. Amazing.
 
I remember the loudest group I ever saw in an American restaurant was a table of Germans dressed in Western wear (cowboy hats and boots included). They sure had a good time.
 
I don't really have a stereotype for Americans, as as we're so used to US movies and TV. But, when I met my ex he told me that his family who were from New England were just like the Archie Bunkers I didn't really understand what he meant, until we visited them and I realized it was true in so many ways, right down to the Eagle hanging on the wall, the knitted afghans on their colonial furniture, watching only sports on tv and shopping trips to the mall, it all seemed to fit in with that particular cliche.
 
Cookie..I think there is a grain of truth in some stereotypes. Americans are such a diverse group...state-to-state and even city-to-city..that saying Americans as a whole are any certain way is kind of not true.

I posted above about a group of Germans..and what I said is true..but I don't believe all Germans are loud..you know? People are just people the world over.
 
In my experience, Americans on either side of the country are stereotypically different. Both groups are loud, the Californians complain more and appear more self entitled and those from New York are funnier and are sanguine about setbacks and minor disappointments. Just one woman's impression after travelling around Greece and Turkey in a tourist bus.
 
I don't believe 100% in stereotypes but they aren't pulled our of thin air. All are based on fact, but certainly doesn't apply to all or even the majority.

I've heard loud tourists of several nationalities but there isn't a single country I've been in where I haven't been deafened by several or more groups of Americans talking much louder than is needed.
 
Yes, and its interesting to see the differences all over the country here in Canada and what I know of the US, based on historic, economic, cultural, geographic and so many other factors -- it's truly a very mixed bag. And neither can one base an opinion about a country on a few patrons in a restaurant, however they can certainly leave lasting impressions on the locals.
 

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