Chile Forum

I love to call myself a citizen of the Great Satan...but very few people remember where that came from or who said it anymore. I love other monikers too, but some here would be offended.

Also when an English speaker asks another English speaker where they're from, if the answering person is American (haha now I'm sensitive to use that term!), I've found that the American usually just says the state they are from.

A while back I realized that in English I answer back with my state's name just assuming that everyone knows all 50 states names. And then I started adding, "Virginia, I mean, in the US" so as not to be presumptuous and all English speakers looked at me like, well duh of course.
But if you JUST say the state name, they usually confirm by saying, "Ah so you're American."
And if you just say, America or the US, then they follow up with "Which state?" so you end up saying it anyway.

I think. Has anyone else experienced this? (or am I just too concerned with other people's feelings )

Kind of funny. Now that I think about it, I have been saying Las Vegas for so many years when people ask where I am from, I forgot that I rarely answer American or United States. I have lived in a lot of places in the Western U.S. over the years, among them Las Vegas. So, I have the luxury of just saying "Las Vegas" in English, Spanish, Chinese. Everyone knows Vegas from the movies. If I told people I was from Minnesota, their eyes would cross. Las Vegas however is an instance ice breaker because it will be followed with lots of questions about casinos and whatever.

Haha. Yeah, that would work if you're from a place that people everywhere have heard of, like Las Vegas.

In Chile, I usually just say that I'm from the US. Typically they then ask which state. Any time that I've told people that I'm from South Carolina, I usually get one of those "Ahhhhh", meaning, "I have no idea where that is." Or it gets followed up by a question like "Is that close to Miami?"

Or the question you may get after they learn you are from the US, "Do you know [insert name here], they're from the US too". Not a famous person, but someone they met before.

El ovallino states that when he became a US citizen he had to a give up his Chilean citizenship. My hubby is Chilean and he also became a US citizen...and you do not have to give up your Chilean citizenship. He has dual citzenship and current passports from Chile and the US. So were given incorrect info I believe. So that makes you Chileno/Americano...or something like that

Actually, most often when asked where am I from, I say, Lots of places; where would you like me to be from? Yes, it is hokey, but disarming.

eeuunikkeiexpat wrote:. . . . Now only if they would stop grouping us "norteamericanos" together (imagine the thought of a Canadian, Mexican, other Central American and USA person holding hands around the campfire singing Kumbaya ).

My chuckle for the day. Thanks, EE.UU.!

Ok can someone clarify this for me pretty please!

Turko, is that like saying "Paki" "Chink" in English, in reference to it being actually derogatory or is it a "haha lets just play with some lingual banter" I only ask this as my Chilean friends often refer to me as "Turko". I am not even in Chile yet but when I get there will it be a badge on me? Just a break down on me British/Persian mix so I understand the Turkish badge, however I always presumed I looked French?

Any info would be grand!

Be prepared for some using that as your nickname, perhaps behind your back. Not malicious as chilenos use chino, negro, gringo, turco, flaco, gordo, pelado, guevon as playful and friendly descriptions all the time.

On the other hand, certain modifiers like culeado can definitely be malicious.

Holy dead threads, Batman!!!

I have been a recovering American for 60 years but think I have finally found the cure. (I arrived in Santiago two days ago) God, I love this place!

Right well thats alright then, I dont mind I just probably get called gringo or something, or turko.

Cheers People!

helitool wrote:I have been a recovering American for 60 years but think I have finally found the cure. (I arrived in Santiago two days ago) God, I love this place!

Welcome to Chile!