But considering our earlier discussion about the continent of America, I’m guessing you know where I’m coming from. I have heard a few people take exception to the usage, which probably makes me more paranoid, but I think mostly it’s just a pet peeve. Why did our nation take on the name of two whole continent (or one, depending on your continental belief system)?

Ah, well. When people ask where we’re from, Lucas “is Indian,” and I’m “from the States” or “from the US.” I get some funny reactions, because it sometimes takes people a second to translate that in their minds to “I’m American.” Then they get this funny look that that says, “Why didn’t she just say she’s American?”

But this was supposed to be a discussion for another day! You trickster, you!

I feel guilty about the whole “American = U.S.” thing, but working with a lot of foreign people, nobody seems to be bothered by that. In fact, I have worked with both Canadians and South Americans who both refer to the U.S. as “Americans” and do not refer to themselves as such (although I am sure who take it as offensive, just like any pet issue). So it still seems arrogant and offensive, but the other “Americans” I’ve come in contact with by and large don’t seem to be bothered by it, so I guess I shouldn’t worry about it either.