Chile Forum

I tell folks that I am a Texan........... I have never had any one ask anything more....

Hmmmm. Well I got my 'come uppance' last year when I moved to Chile. We were sitting around with my hubby's family (all Chilean) and I referred to myself at some point as an American. I was quickly and firmly corrected. I was told that they are Americans too. That the correct term for me was norte americano, that those from central america are 'centro americanos', and that they were all 'sud americanos'. I from that point on never refer to myself as an 'American' but rather a 'norte americano'. When telling this story to my family and friends in the States...they all register surprise initially then think about it and say...'well they have a point'.

I love it!!

The cultural inconsistencies. They go ape shit over the term "americano" but then categorize whole segments of the world cultures and populations into negros, turcos, chinos, norteamericanos, gringos without a second thought.

Not a criticism as there is as much stupidity on our side, just an observation from an ethnic gringo norteamericano "chino" that leave chilenos here scratching their heads despite their "self-perceived" enlightenment.

Well put eeuu. Always the same. Can't please everybody all the time...just isn't possible. My brother had a fit when I told him this story. Now he is very nationalistic and narrow minded...so bear with me. He said to me "you are the only one who is an American and don't forget it...they are all just 3rd world folk'. I took it with a grain of salt considering the source. But I think the scary part is that there are probably many 'Americans' who think the way he does. Thank goodness my hubby has a good sense of humor. When I relayed this story to him he took no offense. He is Chilean a medical doctor and he has dual citizenship in the US/Chile. But according to my brother...he is 'just 3rd world folk'. I don't think so.

tombrad2 wrote:Really it seems nonsense to me, anyone may call yourself as their wish, but it is a fact that this may offend some people here, and it is a good idea to know it

I agree. To anyone from the UK, an American is from the US. What other country has "America" in its title? But who cares anyway? Wasn't Amerigo Italian? What's wrong with just being "Chilean"?

James.

Skraeling wrote:

Regardless, it is best to honour local sensibilities. Why irritate people without reason?

Wise advice. When I lived in Panama, someone asked where I was from, and I said America. He said, "How funny! I am from America too!" And I really liked that thought...he didn't say it smartassed, just being funny while making a point.

pjatkin36 wrote:I tell folks that I am a Texan........... I have never had any one ask anything more....

So say they all PJ! Aren't you guys forming your own nation??? I thought I heard something with the word secede in it, but not sure!!!!

I was taught in school that TEXAS could secede, or split into five states... (Texas schools) But that was a long time ago....

They have a guy down there with initials GWB, who is looking for a job! Maybe you could name him Emperor of Texas! Of course in about 8 years the Empire of Texas would be broke, unemployment would be over 10%, the banking system would be in shambles, would be at war with Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico, and everyone in the world would hate Texans!!

Vicki and Greg Lansen wrote:

pjatkin36 wrote:I tell folks that I am a Texan........... I have never had any one ask anything more....

So say they all PJ! Aren't you guys forming your own nation??? I thought I heard something with the word secede in it, but not sure!!!!

Hehehe

Just weeks after declaring that Texas might secede from the union because “the federal government has become oppressive,” Gov. Rick Perry (R) today asked for more federal aid when he “issued a disaster declaration” because of the swine flu. Mother Jones’ Jonathan Stein found that, since the beginning of FEMA’s record-keeping, Texas has actually received more federal assistance from FEMA than any other state:

More at the link

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/04/30/per ... ssistance/

Texas sounds a lot like Quebec... they are always threatening to separate. But as soon as it gets tough they come crawling back and are the first ones in line for hand-outs.

“We would be better on our own… at least until we run into a problem.”

i wonder if calling americans from USA "estadounidenses" will ever confuse some people. Imagine the person asking, are they Mexicans or Americans....Mexico's official name is "Estados Unidos Mexicanos" so technically they would be "estadounidenses"....but I also settle this discussion with Chilean friends by saying we'll go some country in Africa and ask who is the American.